Whiting & Davis silver metal mesh halter top, 1970s
View Similar Items
Whiting & Davis silver metal mesh halter top, 1970s
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: Small-Medium (US)
- Style:Disco (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:West Palm Beach, FL
- Reference Number:Seller: ROB1stDibs: LU2844279241
Whiting & Davis
You might not expect chain-mesh bags to predate sliced bread by three decades, but it’s true. The very first mesh purse was created by Charles Whiting (1864–1940) in 1892 while working for the jewelry manufacturer Wade Davis & Company in Plainville, Massachusetts. Whiting joined the company at the age of 16, and by 1896 he formed a partnership to purchase it, renaming it the Whiting & Davis Company.
While the original Whiting & Davis mesh purse was made entirely by hand — artisans hammered out the links and wove them together — the company developed a machine to automate fabrication in 1912. With the ability to produce more rapidly and prolifically, Whiting & Davis became a veritable mesh empire, creating handbags and purses in all shapes, styles and colors, including ones made from precious metals, painted with Art Deco designs and silk-screened with Impressionistic images. The purses became status icons for the stylish elite, particularly with the flappers of the 1920s.
Over the years, Whiting & Davis struck up partnerships with some of the most talented designers of the time, including Paul Poiret, Elsa Schiaparelli and Elsa Peretti, who used their mesh in elegant pieces for Tiffany & Co., propelling their popularity even further. After a brief hiatus during World War II, when Whiting & Davis produced radar equipment rather than handbags, the brand continued to develop an ever-expanding line of products that included clothing.
In the 1970s, Whiting & Davis accessories and clothing were the rage of the disco scene. By the early 2000s, everyone from Paris Hilton to Lady Gaga donned the brand’s mesh handbags.
Recent innovations to their offerings include color mesh and fine mesh, with the brand refocusing on fashion jewelry with the launch of a new collection in 2013 featuring a revamped vintage snake-bracelet design. The company has been based in North Attleboro, Massachusetts, since 1995, also supplying its renowned chain mesh for industrial uses like work gloves and protective applications such as shark suits for divers.
Find vintage Whiting & Davis mesh handbags, necklaces and other accessories on 1stDibs.
- Valentino Beaded Knit Plunge V Neckline TopBy ValentinoLocated in West Palm Beach, FLValentino beaded knit, plunge V neckline top in brown. White & crystal beads and sequins trim the neckline and cuffs. Pull on top has 3/4 length sleeves an...Category
1990s Italian Blouses and Tops
- Oscar de la Renta Pink Cream Sequin Lace Top & Silk Camisole Unworn with TagsBy Oscar de la Renta ActiveLocated in West Palm Beach, FLOscar de la Renta magical pink cream lace demi couture top with iridescent sequins and silver tube beads, together with coordinating camisole. The lace top closes at the back with hi...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Blouses and Tops
$660 Sale Price40% Off - Vintage Bernard Perris Cream Silk Metallic Thread Peek a Boo Blouse 1980sBy Bernard PerrisLocated in West Palm Beach, FLVintage Bernard Perris, cream silk with silver metallic thread peek a boo, flower front blouse from the 1980s. Lightweight silk crepe with silver metallic stitching, the blouse has a...Category
1980s French Blouses and Tops
- Chanel Off White Silk Pleated Long Sleeve BlouseBy Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, ChanelLocated in West Palm Beach, FLChanel off white silk pleated long sleeve blouse, with amazing pearl logo buttons.Pull on blouse has a placket front with wing collar, vertical pleats beneath the yoke at the front a...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Blouses
- Martin Grant Black Sleeveless Gathered Tunic Top with Crochet BallsBy Martin GrantLocated in West Palm Beach, FLMartin Grant black sleeveless gathered tunic top with a neck corsage of crochet black balls. Racer neck top is gathered at the neck with a ruffle, open ga...Category
21st Century and Contemporary British Blouses and Tops
$184 Sale Price20% Off - Oscar de la Renta Red and White Lace Tunic Top 12By Oscar de la Renta ActiveLocated in West Palm Beach, FLOscar de la Renta red and white lace tunic top together with nude silk chiffon camisole. White grosgrain ribbon straps, the top is white lace over embroidered with silky red lace, cu...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Tunics
- MATICEVSKI 2016 Profound metallic silver lurex jacquard flared strapless top XSLocated in Hong Kong, NTMATICEVSKI 2016 Profound metallic silver lurex jacquard flared strapless top XS Reference: LNKO/A01643 Brand: Maticevski Collection: Resort 2016 Runway Material: Polyester Color...Category
2010s Australian Blouses and Tops
- Silver Sequins and beaded top HalstonBy HalstonLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRFull embroidered top on a nude color chiffon baseCategory
1980s Blouses and Tops
- Oversize over-shirt in transparent, navy and silver lamé polyester CourrègesBy CourrègesLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FROversize over-shirt in transparent, navy and silver lamé polyester. Size: OVERSIZECategory
1960s French Shirts
- S/S 1994 Gianni Versace Couture Silver Lurex Periwinkle Stretch BodysuitBy Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a silver and periwinkle lurex Gianni Versace Couture bodysuit, designed by Gianni Versace. From the Spring/Summer 1994 collection, this amazing one-piece features long sle...Category
1990s Italian Blouses and Tops
- S/S 1996 Giorgio Armani Runway Silver Beaded Corset BustierBy Giorgio ArmaniLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a stunning silver beaded Giorgio Armani corset, designed by Giorgio Armani. From the Spring/Summer 1996 collection, this bustier debuted on th...Category
1990s Italian Bustiers
- Dolce & Gabbana Charcoal and Silver Striped Long Sleeve TopBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in West Palm Beach, FLDolce & Gabbana Charcoal & Silver Striped Long Sleeve Top - 42 This classic top is in excellent condition. The top is made of an elastic material and has stripes throughout the ent...Category
2010s Italian Shirts