By the mid-1960s, the international fashion press, enamored of his dazzling scarves and slithery dresses in sensuous psychedelic silk jersey, had dubbed Florentine designer Emilio Pucci the Prince of Prints. Less well known is that, starting in the early 1950s, Pucci applied his colorful, abstract patterns to static angular mediums such as ceramics, floors and furniture, imbuing them with movement, not to mention glamour. He was the first fashion designer to enter the lifestyle market, founding the successful brand that exists today.
Born in 1914 to one of Italy’s oldest noble families, Emilio Pucci, Marchese Pucci di Barsento, was a member of the postwar international jet set, hopping from beach to mountain to city. His fashion career began unexpectedly in 1947, when he created a revolutionary stretch ski outfit that was photographed on the Swiss slopes for Harper’s Bazaar.
Eschewing a life of aristocratic glamour, the self-taught Pucci opened a boutique on Capri dedicated to simple resort clothing (think capri pants) that evoked the Mediterranean’s undulating waves and refreshingly bright colors. At the time, luxury fashion was as constricted as a Dior cocktail dress, but the Swinging Sixties were on the horizon. Signed with what Vogue International editor Suzy Menkes calls a “handwritten ‘Emilio’ flourish” — a concept, she points out, as novel as that of designer ready-to-wear — his designs were soon seen on celebrities like Jackie Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe.
From the airline uniforms he created for Braniff in the 1960s to the emblem he crafted for the Apollo XV space mission in 1971, Pucci’s designs were visionary. In spite of his traditional roots (or because of them), the Prince of Prints was forward thinking and outward looking. Pucci put his signature flourish on patterns that were flexible — first for fashion, then for furnishings and objects. Whether on fabric or foam, shelves or sails, as he first explained some 70 years ago, the ornamental designs work in “continuous motion.” Venturing into nontraditional design partnerships, he laid the groundwork for a future brand, a classic legacy that his daughter Laudomia Pucci continues today.
Find vintage Emilio Pucci evening dresses, scarves, skirts and other clothing and accessories on 1stDibs.
Emilio Pucci Extra-Long Gilded Metal and Murano Art Glass Dangle Clip Earrings
By Emilio Pucci
Located in Atlanta, GA
Emilio Pucci designed these spectacular baroque shoulder duster clip-on earrings. The chandelier design is built with high-gloss gilded metal fastenings and hardware, embellished wit...
Gilt Metal
Vintage Emilio Pucci Electric Blue & Crystal Earrings 1980s
By Emilio Pucci
Located in Wilmslow, GB
The most incredible oversize Vintage Emilio Pucci Crystal Earrings. Crafted with large crystals in a silver tone metal. The vibrant electric blue discs crafted from a type of rubberi...
Blue Amazonite Round Cab Ruby Round Cab 14 Karat Gold Clip-On Earrings
By Tutti Frutti Jewellery
Located in Bangkok, TH
Simple elegant clip on earrings with round plain Blue Amazonite cabochons of 16 mm in diameter set in 14 Kt yellow gold with a round Ruby cabochons of 4 mm in diameter,also set in 1...
Amazonite, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold
14k Yellow Gold Two Tone Pearl and Diamond Earrings
Located in Hicksville, NY
Item Details: Metal Type: 14K Yellow Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 4.7 grams Diamond Details: Weight: .08ct, total weight Cut: Old European brilliant Color: H Clarity: SI Mea...
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold
Tiffany & Co. 18 Karat Yellow Gold Cross Earrings
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Zurich, Zollstrasse
GOLD EAR CLIPS, TIFFANY. Yellow gold 750, 21.02 g. Signature large cross model. Casual, slightly convex ear clips/studs, with a crossed band motif, signed Tiffany & Co. Comes wit...
Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Tiffany & Co. 18K Yellow Gold JUMBO Bean Earrings by Elsa Peretti
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1980s Item Details: Metal Type: 18K Yellow Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 17.5 grams Measurements: .8inch x .5 inch Condition: Excellent Price: $2600 Payment & Refun...
Yellow Gold
Vintage Cartier 18K Yellow Gold Nugget Style Clip Back Earrings
By Cartier
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1970s Item Details: Metal Type: 18K Yellow Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 20.2 grams Measurements: 23.25mm long, 14mm wide Condition: Excellent
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage gold colorful glass etruscsn style clip on 80’s earrings
Located in Palos Hills, IL
DETAILS • unsigned • gold tone with glass • vintage designer clip on earrings MEASUREMENTS • CONDITION • excellent vintage condition with minimal signs of wear Sku 35
$4,406 / set
W 0.88 in L 1 in
Vintage Angela Cummings Non-Pierced Ridged Gold Earrings in 18 Karat Yellow Gold
By Angela Cummings
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
This vintage pair of Angela Cummings earrings crafted in 18 karat yellow gold exemplify her signature style, characterized by innovative designs and meticulous craftsmanship. The ear...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Miriam Haskell Rose Montee Flower Earrings
By Miriam Haskell
Located in New York, NY
Miriam Haskell Rose Montee Flower Earrings from the 1950's. Russian gilt filigree flowers are set on on gilt leaves hand sewn with rose montee crystals. Clip back fittings. 1950's US...
Gilt Metal
$500Sale Price / set|50% Off
H 1.25 in W 1.25 in
Schreiner NY 1950s 22 ProngSet Crystals AB & PiecrustSetPaleYellow Clip Earrings
By Henry Schreiner
Located in Chicago, IL
In 1956 when Christian Dior's ultra-feminine New Look had dominated fashion for nearly a decade, Schreiner New York handcrafted these opulent unsigned earrings with 22 prong-set open-back crystals to accompany the eveningwear of an American high-end fashion designer. They may have been for client Pauline Trigere when her ready-to-wear collections with accessories including unmarked-Schreiner jewelry were sold by NYC's Bergdorf Goodman and worn by her clients including Grace Kelly, Jacqueline Kennedy, and Elizabeth Taylor. Comparatively, Schreiner jewelry produced in the 1950s for direct sale to high-end department stores, such as Neiman Marcus, Henri Bendel and Saks Fifth Avenue, were the only pieces to include a brand signature. Using the best quality European crystals that were custom-made for him, the founder Henry Schreiner was among the world's leading glass-jewelry designers before he died in 1954, whereafter his daughter and her husband continued with their handcrafted production. The family shared this distinction with Western Germany-based Max Muller and Paris-based Roger Jean Pierre, who were commissioned to create haute-couture pieces for the world's leading fashion houses. Notably in 1949, Henry Schreiner was commissioned by Dior to create several exclusive pieces. We know these earrings were not created earlier than 1956 because of the use of iridescent coating on some of the crystals that produces a rainbow effect. Known as aurora-borealis (AB) stones, Swarovski initially produced them exclusively for a haute-couture collection that year by Dior. Shortly thereafter, the Schreiner team had access to such colorful stones, and most certainly used them as soon as possible to enable their American fashion-designer clients to compete with the new Dior iridescent-colors trend. At the bottom tips of the marquise-shaped pale yellow stones...
Crystal, Yellow Gold, Gilt Metal
$4,500
W 0.87 in L 0.79 in
Christopher Walling 18kt Gold Biwa Pearl Earrings – Clip with Optional Post
By Christopher Walling
Located in North Miami, FL
Christopher Walling 18kt Gold Biwa Pearl Earrings – Clip with Optional Post Elegant and distinctive, these authentic earrings by renowned American designer Christopher Walling showca...
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
$308
H 1.125 in W 0.88 in D 0.63 in
Vintage Baltic Amber Sterling Silver Clip-On Earrings, Art Nouveau Style
Located in Atlanta, GA
This is a pair of vintage Baltic Amber sterling silver clip-on earrings. Each earring has an oval shaped polished amber piece set in a sterling silver frame with a flower and leaf de...
Amber, Sterling Silver
$250 / set
W 0.63 in D 0.63 in L 1 in
BOND BOYD - Vintage Pair of Sterling Silver Screw Back Earrings - Circa 1950's
Located in Chatham, CA
BOND BOYD - Vintage pair of sterling silver screw back earrings - set with faux sapphire crystals at the center of each flower - signed 'BOND BOYD STER.' on the head of the screw bac...
Sterling Silver
Emilio Pucci 1980s Large Button Earrings
By Emilio Pucci
Located in New York, NY
A large pair of 1980s statement satin gold tone button earrings by iconic fashion house Emilio Pucci. Each earring measures 2 inches in diameter. The front button measures 0.38 deep....
Gold Plate