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...
6.20 Carat Peridot Hand Woven Italian Gold Dangle Clip Post Chandelier Earrings
Located in Stamford, CT
Peridot dangle earrings. Two round Peridot gemstones set in 18k yellow gold hand woven Italian clip post dangle, chandelier earrings. Even though these earrings are substantial, they...
Peridot, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
5.50 Carat Marquise Round Diamond Gold Dangle Drop Earrings
Located in Stamford, CT
1950's Marquise and round diamond long dangle earrings in 14k white gold settings. 22 Marquise diamonds with two round dangles at the bottom. 2.40 inches long. 22 Marquise diamonds...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Gold
3.04 Carat Garnet Yellow Gold Dangle Cluster Earrings
Located in Stamford, CT
Mid-Century 1950's German garnet dangle cluster earrings. Set in 14k yellow gold with two oval center stones 1.10 cts total and 20 accent garne...
Garnet, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Tiffany & Co. Large Size 18K Gold Heart & Cupid's Arrow Motif Vintage Earrings
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Aspen, CO
Tiffany & Co heart and arrow motif vintage earrings in like new condition. This example is the largest size made of this earrings. Marked 750 for approximately 18K, and Tiffany & Co....
18k Gold
$2,620
W 0.29 in L 0.14 in
Rare Christian Dior Couture Snake & Pavé Crystal Clip Earrings, 1990s Runway Mod
By Gianfranco Ferré for Christian Dior
Located in TOULOUSE, FR
An extraordinary and highly collectible pair of Christian Dior clip-on earrings from the 1990s, featuring two of the house’s most iconic elements: – a gold-toned sculpted snake, rich...
Crystal, Gold Plate
Georgian 2.00ct Diamond Earrings, c.1820s
Located in London, GB
Dating back to the 1820s, this stunning pair of Georgian earrings feature a wonderful arrow through the heart design. Each earring has been adorned with rose cut diamonds, with a cen...
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Silver, 15k Gold, Rose Gold
Yves Saint Laurent Runway 1993 by Goossens Clip-On Earrings
By Maison Goossens for Yves Saint Laurent
Located in TOULOUSE, FR
Authentic vintage Yves Saint Laurent clip-on earrings dating from 1993, created by Parisian jewelry manufactory Goossens. This runway piece can be found in the archives (we added t...
Gold Plate
Green Tourmaline Diamond Gold Cluster Dangle Earrings
Located in Stamford, CT
1950's Oval cabochon tourmaline and round diamond cluster dangle earrings. Hand twisted 18k gold wire with two oval center tourmalines and di...
Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold, White Gold
.60 Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Dangle Heart Earrings
Located in Stamford, CT
Diamond dangle drop heart earrings. Set in 18k white gold with diamond framed heart dangles. 42 round diamonds approx total weight. .60 F, VS Len...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Garnet Blue Oval Moonstone Gold Dangle Earrings
Located in Stamford, CT
Mid-Century Moonstone and garnet dangle earrings. 2 round round blue hue moonstones and 2 long oval dangle moonstones each with a halo of round garnets. 14k yellow gold. 36 fine round Garnets 3mm, approx. total weight 4.50cts 2 round Moonstones, top gem clear with blue 7.5mm, approx. total weight 3.00cts 2 oval Moonstones...
Garnet, Moonstone, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Tri-Color Flexible Mesh Gold Platinum Earrings
Located in Stamford, CT
1940's handmade flexible mesh earrings in Platinum and 14k rose gold. Platinum friction backs. 14k rose yellow gold and Platinum Tested: 14k Stamped: Plat 26.4 grams Top to bottom: ...
14k Gold, Platinum, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Carved Green Onyx Opal 14 Karat Gold Flower Diamond Earrings
By Meghna Jewels
Located in Hoffman Estate, IL
Cast in 14-karat gold. These beautiful earrings are set with 32.61 carats of carved green onyx, 1.32 carats Ethiopian opal and .05 carats of sparkling diamonds. See other flower col...
Diamond, Onyx, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold
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