New York City’s maverick handbag designer, the Brazilian-born Carlos Falchi, began his multibillion-dollar accessories brand in the bathtub of his Greenwich Village apartment.
In the 1960s, Falchi started by making leather clothing — bleaching snakeskin in his tub — for rock stars and jazz artists like Mick Jagger, Tina Turner and Miles Davis. But when he turned his attention to handbags, persuaded by Geraldine Stultz, the president of Henri Bendel, he found his true calling.
In a world flush with iconic “It” handbags, Falchi’s bags are distinctive and eye-catching, with soft, pliable forms, dazzling patchwork designs and dyed skins from exotic animals such as alligators, frogs, buffalo and water snakes. Even though he was a self-taught artisan, Falchi managed to reinvent the approach that yields the stiff, formal structure typically associated with the upright handbags of European luxury houses. His groundbreaking and oft-imitated Buffalo bag, an unconstructed and lightweight satchel made from a single skin with only two seams and a gathered front, went on to garner universal success for the craftsman, with Women’s Wear Daily deeming it “the most copied bag in the industry.” For his celebrated slouchy bag, Falchi was inspired by the draping techniques he learned while attending art school in Japan. In 1983, he won a Coty American Fashion Critics Award for the accessory.
Falchi made his clutches, shoulder bags and top-handled bags by hand in his New York City atelier, and the designer’s work garnered praise from fashion legends such as Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Barbra Streisand and Sarah Jessica Parker. In the years leading up to his death in 2015, Falchi began to sell inexpensive versions of his handbags on the Home Shopping Channel. A sampling of his work is held today in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Find a range of vintage Carlos Falchi handbags and purses on 1stDibs.
Carlos Falchi Black Leather Gloves with Bow Decoration Never Worn
By Carlos Falchi
Located in New Hope, PA
These butter soft black leather gloves designed by Carlos Falchi have a wonderful leather bow and knot at the wrist. They are lined in black silk and marked a size 7. Never worn, the...
Carlos Falchi Black leather and Snakeskin Gloves Never Worn
By Carlos Falchi
Located in New Hope, PA
These super soft black leather Carlos Falchi gloves have a wide band of black snakeskin at the wrist. They are lined in black silk and marked a size 7. They have never been worn and ...
Yohji Yamamoto Black Leather Gloves With Long Knit Sleeves
By Yohji Yamamoto
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Resurrection Vintage is excited to present vintage Yohji Yamamoto black leather gloves with long knit sleeves, featuring a cable knit pattern at the sleeves, leather detailing at the...
Christian Dior By John Galliano Brown Leather & Logo Print "Rasta" Gloves 2004
By Christian Dior
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Resurrection Vintage is excited to offer a pair of vintage Christian Dior grown leather gloves with Diorissimo logo fabric, reggae-colored trim, and silver-tone hardware. Christian ...
Gucci black Lambskin Gloves
Located in Carnate, IT
Gucci gloves in black lambskin. Cashmere interior. The size indicates a L, but they fit S. Total length 21.5cm Wrist 10cm New, never used.
Hermès Gloves Gloves Holder Key Holder Red Leather Golden Hdw
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Super Chic Authentic Hermès Gloves Holder Can be used as gloves holder (for thin gloves), key holder, charm Made in France Made of ostrich leath...
Hermès Long Opera Gloves Burgundy Lambskin Leather Size 6.5 in Box
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Stunning and so elegant Authentic Hermès Gloves Made in France Made of Lambskin Leather Decorated with small silver balls, grouped by 4 Colorway: Burgundy, Silver-Tone Lined wi...
Christian Lacroix jewelry gloves
By Christian Lacroix
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHRISTIAN LACROIX - Brown inside-out leather gloves ornamented with colorful rhinestones. Accessory from the 1990s. Condition: Good condition Dimensions: Size 7 SKU:ACC3
Hermes Opera Gloves Black Lambskin Leather Size 7
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers a pair of Hermes opera length black lambskin gloves. Exquisitely soft and elegant. Subtle stitch detail above the wrist. NEW or NEVER W...
Christian Dior Black Leather and Hardware Gloves
By Christian Dior
Located in New York, NY
Christian Dior's black kidskin leather gloves has detailed silver hardware and eyelets. fully lined with black cashmere and size is 7.5
Yves Saint Laurent New Studded Suede Gloves
By Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche
Located in Geneva, CH
Unusual, never worn 80’s YSL black gloves, probably a prototype or a runway model, with gold metal pyramid studs which are enhancing the forearms. Unlined, the...
Vintage Opera Gloves Black Lace Floral Pattern Attributed to Norma Kamali OSFM
Located in Port Saint Lucie, FL
Fabulous vintage opera-length gloves, likely dating to the 1980s. Crafted from delicate black floral lace, these elegant gloves feature a beautifully detailed pattern and a lightly s...
Leiko Studio Black Pleated Crinkle Sleeves With Ties
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Resurrection Vintage is thrilled to present a pair of vintage Leiko Studio black pleated crinkle sleeves with ties, featuring a wrinkled and textured appearance, voluminous, ties at ...
Isabel Canovas Black Silk Long Tassel Gloves circa 1990s
By Isabel Canovas
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
The Isabel Canovas Black Silk Long Tassel Gloves from the circa 1990s epitomize vintage elegance and sophisticated glamour. Crafted from luxurious black silk, these elbow-length glov...
Carlos Falchi Red Leather Gloves with Bow Decoration Never Worn
By Carlos Falchi
Located in New Hope, PA
These butter soft red leather gloves designed by Carlos Falchi have a wonderful leather bow and knot at the wrist. They are lined in red silk and ma...
Carlos Falchi British Racing Green Leather Gloves with Bow Decoration Never Worn
By Carlos Falchi
Located in New Hope, PA
These butter soft deep green leather gloves designed by Carlos Falchi have a wonderful leather bow and knot at the wrist. They are lined in black s...