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 Textured Embossed Gun-Metal Plum & Charcoal Handbag
By Carlos Falchi
Located in New York, NY
Carlos Falchi Textured gun-metal embossed calfskin are in hues of charcoal and plum with metallic gold threading hand-sewn throughout the bag. Accented with a heavy gold hardware cha...
H 7.09 in W 9.45 in D 3.55 in
Hermès Kelly Padded 25 Noir/Black Swift Gold Hardware
By Hermès
Located in Berlin, DE
Hermès Kelly Padded 25 in noir and swift leather with gold hardware. The bag is unworn and comes as full set including the original receipt. Sta...
H 6.7 in W 10.24 in D 3.94 in
Gucci, Supreme monogram Osiride top handle bag
By Gucci
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
Gucci, Supreme monogram Osiride top handle bag. The item is in very good condition, small hairline scratches on the gold leather. Comes with original receipt. Bag comes with a metal ...
H 5.52 in W 9.45 in D 3.15 in
Chanel Black Quilted Caviar Leather Medium Classic Top Handle Flap Bag
By Chanel
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Chanel Black Quilted Caviar Leather Medium Classic Top Handle Flap Bag Product Details Xupes Ref: HB4626 Brand: Chanel Model: Medium Classic Top Handle Flap Bag Type: Top Handle, Sh...
Rare Vintage Gucci Crocodile & Suede Ring Bag with Lucite Handle, Circa 1978
By Gucci
Located in Boca Raton, FL
A rare and sculptural vintage Gucci ring bag crafted in deep navy crocodile skin with rich suede detailing. This piece hails from the late 1970s to earl...
Charming Mid Century Patent Elongated Bag
Located in New York, NY
Charming Mid Century Patent Leather Elongated Bag with faux tortoise handle. East-West horizontal shape with leather lining. 12" x 5" high x 3" wide. Top handle adds 4.5". 1950's USA.
H 10.24 in W 10.24 in D 8.27 in
Hermes Picotin GM 26 Bag Black - 2004
By Hermès
Located in Glasgow, GB
First introduced in 2002, the Picotin bag is known for it's equestrian inspired design and takes its name from a French term referring to the measurement unit of horse feed. The roomy bucket shape is inspired by the horse’s feedbag, which has a strap that secures the bag over the horse’s ears and allows the animal to move around freely as it eats. Description: This Hermès Picotin GM, often referred to as the Picotin 26...
Hermes HAC 40 Flag Limited Edition Haut a Courroies Birkin Bag
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers a rare limited edition Hermes HAC 40 Flag bag featured in H Toile and Black. Black Evercalf leather and signature Hermes Toile H in Bla...
H 13.25 in W 4.25 in L 12.1 in
Vintage FENDI Brown Zucca Jacquard Foldable Tote Bag
By Fendi
Located in Bangkok, TH
This 1990s Fendi foldable tote bag is crafted of Fendi's iconic brown Zucca jacquard and brown leather featuring two nylon handles lined with the same leather for comfort. Wide top o...
Hermes Bombay 27 Bag Marron Fonce Ostrich Small Model
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers a rare Hermes Bombay 27 bag in Marron Fonce Ostrich. No longer produced this gorgeous Hermes bag is a collectors treasure. This soft rich deep brown is totally neut...
H 6 in W 2.5 in L 10 in
Chanel Navy Lambskin Double Flap Bag
By Chanel
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This Chanel navy blue Double Flap Bag is made of beautiful dark blue diamond quilting lambskin leather with gold tone hardware/chain link shoulder strap, double flap closure, CC turn...
1950s Faye Mell :Double Decker" Ladylike Handbag in Taupe and Black Matelassé
Located in Gresham, OR
1950s Faye Mell :Double Decker" Ladylike Handbag in Taupe and Black Matelassé: A stunning and clever design stacking 2 complete handbags with a metal filigree framework, gold satin ...
H 15.36 in W 2.76 in L 14.18 in
Hermes Grey Fourre Tout Herline Tote Bag
By Hermès
Located in Paris, FR
Hermes 2000s Grey Fourre Tout Herline tote bag featuring two rolled top handles, top zip fastening, internal patch pocket, full lining, silver-tone hardware, rectangle body and inter...
Carlos Falchi Fatto A Mano 1cfty929 Brown Python Skin Leather Tote
By Carlos Falchi
Located in Dix hills, NY
Made In: U.S.A. Measurements: Length: 11.75" Width: 5" Height: 11" Shoulder Strap Drop: 8.75" Signs of Wear: Exterior shows some light scratches, fraying and scuff marks. Interi...
Carlos Falchi Black Python Clutch
By Carlos Falchi
Located in New York, NY
Product details: Black python clutch by Carlos Falchi. Purple suede interior. Interior zip pocket. Optional silver-tone chain-link shoulder strap. 14.5" l...
Carlos Falchi Grey Python Tote Bag
By Carlos Falchi
Located in New York, NY
Product details: Grey python skin tote bag by Carlos Falchi. Interior pockets. Dual shoulder straps. 17" length, 15" height, 5.5" depth, 10" shoulder strap...
H 8 in W 7.5 in L 16.5 in
CARLOS FALCHI Muted Burgundy Marsala Alligator Woven Shoulder Bag
By Carlos Falchi
Located in San Francisco, CA
Fabulous FATTO A MANO by CARLOS FALCHI shoulder bag. A unique work of art, this piece comes in luscious muted burgundy marsala colored alligator leather and features top stitch and w...
Carlos Falchi soft pebble leather patchwork day bag
By Carlos Falchi
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Hand stitched, soft pebble leather, double handle day bag from Carlos Falchi, looks barely if ever used...The leather is summery bright colours...H...