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 Hieroglyph Style Cabochon Gold-Tone Necklace
By Carlos Falchi
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
The Carlos Falchi Hieroglyph Style Carbochon Gold-Tone Necklace is a striking statement piece that seamlessly combines artistic craftsmanship with bold design. Crafted in a luxurious...
Christian Dior Vintage Multi Strand Pearl Logo Choker Necklace
By Christian Dior
Located in Nice, FR
CHRISTIAN DIOR vintage choker necklace featuring four strands of off-white faux pearls and a silver toned C D I O R logo embellished wit...
Yves Saint Laurent dickey necklace by Yves Saint Laurent circa 1990
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT - A ready-to-wear Collection circa 1990 under the artistic direction of Yves Saint Laurent. Dark-silvery metal articulated dickey necklace ornamented with colorfu...
Gilt Metal
Rare “Cat Face” hand-beaded choker by Dior designed under John Galliano
By John Galliano for Christian Dior
Located in NICE, FR
New in Nice.vintage.darling Rare “Cat Face” hand-beaded choker by Dior designed under John Galliano for the Pre-Fall / AW 2001 collection 🖤 An exceptional archival piece featuring i...
Christian Dior choker necklace by John Galliano circa 2000
By John Galliano for Christian Dior
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
DIOR - A Collection circa 2000, under the artistic direction of John Galliano. Silvery-metal choker necklace composed of several blue, black and silvery pearl rows. Condition: Very...
MONIES Gerda Lynggaard orange pink wood disc sculptural statement bib necklace
By Monies
Located in Hong Kong, NT
MONIES Gerda Lynggaard orange pink wood disc sculptural statement bib necklace Reference: AEMA/A00154 Brand: Monies Model: Gerda Lynggaard Material: Wood Color: Orange, Pink Pattern:...
Guy Laroche necklace by Guy Laroche circa 1990
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
GUY LAROCHE - A ready-to-wear Collection circa 1990 under the artistic direction of Guy Laroche. Golden metal articulated choker necklace representing shells ornamented with colorfu...
Gilt Metal
"Coral" necklace by Yves Saint Laurent, circa 1985
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT - Ready-to-wear collection circa 1985 under the artistic direction of Yves Saint Laurent. Made by the Robert Goossens atelier. Plaster necklace of silver-plated m...
Vintage Massive BICHE DE BERE Engraved Breast Plate Plastron Necklace
By Biche de Bere Paris
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage Massive BICHE DE BERE Engraved Breast Plate Plastron Necklace Limited edition. This is the 19th out of 289 pieces. Measurements: Height: 8.26 in...
Chanel necklace by Karl LAgerfeld Spring-Summer 1996
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - 1996 Spring-Summer ready-to-wear Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Golden metal choker necklace made of multiple letters representing the name of t...
Gilt Metal
Yves Saint Laurent necklace by Yves Saint Laurent circa 1990
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT - A ready-to-wear Collection circa 1990, under the artistic direction of Yves Saint Laurent. Short golden metal necklace with resin. Made in France. Condition: ...
Gilt Metal
Dior choker necklace by Marc Bohan 1964
By Christian Dior
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
DIOR - 1964 ready-to-wear Collection under the artistic direction of Marc Bohan. Choker necklace made of red faceted glass pearl rows. Silvery metal box fastening ornamented with rh...
Gilt Metal
CHANEL I23A crystal strass pave leather chain interweave choker necklace
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, NT
CHANEL I23A gold-tone CC crystal strass pave black leather chain interweave choker necklace Reference: CYVN/A00086 Brand: Chanel Designer: Virginie Viard Collection: I23A Material: ...