Nancy Gonzalez Crocodile Purse

Born in Cali, Colombia, luxury handbag designer Nancy Gonzalez started her eponymous business with her late son, Santiago Gonzalez, in 1998, selling her very first collection at Bergdorf Goodman. Her vibrant yet timeless designs are inspired by the nature and culture of her home country, and they’re handcrafted there, too, by local artisans. The brand has a commitment to social change — Gonzalez is focused on uplifting Colombian women. She prioritizes the well-being of her workforce, which is largely made up of women, and offers support systems such as childcare to all employees.

Nancy Gonzalez handbags are typically made from eclectic, naturally dyed skins like iridescent python and cobalt-blue ostrich or plant-based materials like banana leaf. But the brand’s signature material is crocodile skin, often dyed in bright colors, with the majority of their leathers sourced from the Gonzalez farms in Colombia. The designer has also partnered with top contemporary artists such as Will Cotton, Jim Hodges, Jenny Holzer, KAWS and Dr. Lakra on limited-edition designs for the TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art gala and auction, hosted by the Dallas Museum of Art and amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research.

With a joyous exuberance in their colorful designs, the bags are a favorite of global A-listers and tastemakers alike. Beyond its handbag and purse collection, the Nancy Gonzalez brand has also expanded to men’s and women’s accessories and shoes, launching its first footwear collection in 2016. All of these new additions embrace the brand’s distinctive style with crocodile skin and vivid hues while also pushing their designs forward with new pieces and techniques like laser cutting.

Find vintage Nancy Gonzalez handbags and other accessories on 1stDibs today.

An integral part of fashion, handbags and purses have been indispensable accessories ever since we began to carry around personal items. Level of craftsmanship, style and shape matters — from coin purses in ancient Greece to early 20th-century opera bags and onward, handbags have evolved considerably over the years to meet our needs and desires, whether or not you happen to be prioritizing functionality over a flashy exterior.

Once, a single “It” handbag ruled each fashion season. No more. Today, lovers of vintage handbags are savvier and have a wider range of shopping options. Nevertheless, classics created by the likes of Louis Vuitton, Dior and Balenciaga still rule.

“It is not a fashion bag — it is a statement bag,” says Mightychic's Debra Kent of Hermès's widely beloved accessories. “When you carry an iconic Hermès bag — Birkin, Kelly, Constance — no one knows how long you have been into this culture or if you are a newbie. Your status is validated immediately.”

First released in 1997, Fendi's Baguette rose to fame along with Carrie Bradshaw, the Sex and the City character portrayed by Sarah Jessica Parker. Recently, the design has seen such a resurgence in popularity that Fendi has reissued it.

They are part of design history, so owning a handbag has meaning. As New York–based fashion historian Sarah C. Byrd says, “You have made the choice to invest in this piece because you understand the value of it in the past and in the future to come.”

From a 1980s Chanel black leather quilted mini buckle bag to the rare Hermès Birkin 30cm Himalayan with diamond hardware to a range of 19th-century bags, find a rich variety of vintage and designer handbags and purses spanning numerous brands on 1stDibs — seasonal “It” designation no longer needed.