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 ...
CHANEL midnight blue CC TWEED & LEATHER FINGERLESS Gloves 7.5
By Chanel
Located in Zürich, CH
These 100% authentic Chanel fingerless gloves combine elegance and functionality, crafted in diagonally striped tweed in midnight blue and white with a midnight blue leather undersid...
Hermes Black Calf and Suede Gloves
By Hermès
Located in New York, NY
Elegant Hermes black calf glove with suede lace-up cuffs. Made in France.
Very Good condition, Size 6.5
Gucci x Tom Ford Fall 2003 Brown Leather Opera Gloves, Size 7.5, New
By Gucci, Tom Ford for Gucci
Located in London, GB
Superb vintage Gucci x Tom Ford leather opera gloves from the Fall 2003 collection. In amazing unworn vintage condition. Made from super soft dark brown lambskin leather with hand-st...
Claude Montana Black Inside-Out Leather Gloves
By Claude Montana
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Claude Montana - Black inside-out leather gloves decorated with silvery metallic elements. Not signed accessory from a fashion show. Additional information: Condition: Good conditio...
Christian Lacroix leather gloves
By Christian Lacroix
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHRISTIAN LACROIX - (Made in France) Black leather and satin gloves. Condition: Good condition Dimensions: Length: 25 cm SKU:ACC35
Vintage Green Inside-Out Leather Gloves
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Unknown - Green inside-out leather gloves with brown mink. Additional information: Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Length: 50 cm Seller Reference: ACC240
Superb Museum Worthy HERMÈS Ruff Wrist Cuff Leather Gloves - Circa 1930
By Hermès
Located in Sheffield, GB
Superb, Rare Hermès Gloves crafted from Suede featuring the most unusual ruff style wrist cuff detailing. Circa 1920/1930. The Hermes losange shape ‘ca...
Gucci Lace Floral Gloves, Long Sleeve
By Gucci
Located in KRAKÓW, PL
Gucci long lace floral gloves in black Size S/M These beautiful gloves are the perfect accessory that you've been looking for. Featuring sexy black floral lace in a long glove styl...
1990s Moschino Navy Leather Gloves
By Moschino
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
1990s Navy Leather Moschino Gloves. Fully lined with tan knit wool. Blue jewel heart buttons on the cuffs. Marked a size 7 label inside the glove Made in ...
NWT Christian Dior Galliano new cashmere gloves
By Christian Dior, John Galliano for Christian Dior
Located in Алматинский Почтамт, KZ
Christian Dior Galliano new cashmere gloves, size 7 New condition with tags
Roeckl Munich Black Unworn Vintage Suede Gloves
Located in Munich, DE
"And her old Uncle William used to say, a lady is known by her shoes and her gloves." – Virginia Woolf. Classic fine especially supple black suede gloves by gloves manufacturer Roec...
1980s Isabel Canovas Gauntlet Gloves with Cut Out Floral Motif
By Isabel Canovas
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Channel Your Inner 80s Girl With These Amazing Gloves! These hunter green suede gloves feature a chic and classic gauntlet style cuff. The cuff includes a be...
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...