Gucci Italy Rare Black Coated Canvas Leather Trim Unisex Briefcase c 1980s
View Similar Items
Gucci Italy Rare Black Coated Canvas Leather Trim Unisex Briefcase c 1980s
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Height: 12.5 in (31.75 cm)Depth: 3.5 in (8.89 cm)Length: 16.75 in (42.55 cm)
- Style:Classic (In the Style Of)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:The coated canvas briefcase has Gucci's subtle G.G. initials repeated throughout. Trimmed with black leather. Designed with gilt metal snap closures. Designed with an interior slip pocket compartment
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. The brushed gilt metal hardware has some darkening. There is a small impression on the leather trim on the front. A tiny hole in the coated canvas on the back side. The interior has some light scuffs. The hardware on the four corners has plating wear.
- Seller Location:University City, MO
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU73613647672
Gucci
Long before trend-bucking creative director Alessandro Michele brought his hallucinatory “Utopian Fantasy” campaign to Gucci, it was a modest Italian leather shop. Today, it’s an internationally renowned luxury house with an iconic logo, and vintage Gucci clothing, handbags and shoes are among high fashion's most covetable goods.
Guccio Gucci (1881–1953) admired the stylish suitcases he saw wealthy guests arrive with at the Savoy Hotel in London, where he worked as a bellhop. So, in 1921, after a stint at Franzi, a luggage company in his hometown of Florence, he opened a leather goods shop of his own.
At first, Gucci’s Florence business specialized in equestrian accessories. But as its reputation flourished, particularly among the English aristocracy, so too did its footprint. In 1938, he brought three of his sons — Aldo, Vasco and Rodolfo — into the business and expanded it to Rome and later Milan. In the mid-1930s, a League of Nations embargo against Italy pushed Gucci to experiment with alternatives to imported leather. Its woven hemp fabric from Naples, adorned with the brand’s signature diamond print, was a hit, especially among A-list celebrities. The material was first used on suitcases before finding enduring popularity on handbags. (No list of revered designer purses would be complete without Gucci.)
In the 1950s, Elizabeth Taylor carried one of Gucci’s bamboo-handled tote bags, another adaptation to material rationing. After Jackie Kennedy was seen sporting a slouchy Gucci tote in 1961, it was renamed for the First Lady. Then Grace Kelly, on a visit to the boutique in Milan, inspired Rodolfo Gucci to work with Italian illustrator and Gucci textile designer Vittorio Accornero on the Flora print in 1966. Taking cues from Sandro Botticelli’s Primavera, with its pattern of flora and insects, it was painted entirely by hand and featured no fewer than 37 colors.
In 1953, just 15 days after opening his first store on New York’s 5th Avenue, Guccio passed away at 72. The early 1970s saw store openings in Tokyo and Hong Kong, but by the late 1980s, Gucci was floundering. Rodolfo Gucci took charge in 1982, but family drama and lawsuits ensued. In 1993, Rodolfo’s son, Maurizio, transferred his shares in the company to Investcorp, ending the family’s involvement in Gucci. Dawn Mello, then-president of Bergdorf Goodman, joined as creative director in 1989. But it was Tom Ford, who took over as creative director in 1994, who ultimately revived the brand.
Ford’s racy ads, shot by photographers such as Mario Testino, stirred controversy. And his potent vision of sexed-up femininity — with “jewel-toned satin shirts unbuttoned to there,” as Vogue described his breakthrough 1995 runway show — was wildly successful. The new millennium brought new ownership — Pinault Printemps Redoute in 2004 — and a more toned-down vision from Frida Giannini, who became sole creative director in 2006. Alessandro Michele was named creative director in 2015, and the storied brand took a giant leap forward.
Find vintage Gucci clothing and accessories on 1stDibs.
- Timmy Wood's Beverly Hills Charming Wicker House PurseLocated in University City, MOTimmy Wood's Charming wicker house shaped handbag The whimsical wicker artisan handbag is designed as a women's retail clothing boutique shop The front of the wicker house shou...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Novelty Bags
- Paco Rabanne Paris Black Leather Shoulder Bag 1980sBy Paco RabanneLocated in University City, MOPaco Rabanne Paris Black leather shoulder bag c 1980s The classic saddle style shoulder bag is covered in supple black leather. Designed with twin leather shoulder straps The front exterior is adorned with a gilt metal emblem stamped Paco Rabanne PR Paris The interior is designed with two divided compartments Lined in black nylon covering with Paco Rabanne's name repeated throughout. The back exterior has a zipper compartment. The shoulder bag rest...Category
Late 20th Century French Structured Shoulder Bags
- GUCCI Extremely Rare Ebony Leather Equestrian Emblem Handbag c 1970sBy GucciLocated in University City, MOGUCCI Extremely rare ebony leather equestrian emblem handbag c 1970s Luxurious smooth black leather shoulder bag with sleek gilt metal hardware. The rare Gucci handbag is adorned wi...Category
1970s Italian Shoulder Bags
- Emilio Pucci Mod Velvet Print Leather Trim Italian Handbag circa 21st cBy Emilio PucciLocated in University City, MOEmilio Pucci Mod velvet print leather trim Italian handbag circa 21st c The stylish Italian handbag is covered with bold geometric graphic designs in a myriad of colors; pale blue, ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Top Handle Bags
- 1940s Art Deco Black Carnival Glass Beaded HandbagLocated in University City, MO1940s Art Deco Black carnival glass beaded evening bag The elegant retro handbag is encrusted with tiny iridescent jet glass hand beading on all s...Category
1940s American Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Opulent French Ebony Glass Beaded Evening Bag c 1960sLocated in University City, MOOpulent French ebony glass beaded evening bag c 1960s The elegant hand beaded purse is encrusted with tiny black glass caviar micro beads on both ...Category
1960s French Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Hermès Kelly Depeche Epsom Dark Blue 38cmBy HermèsLocated in Palm Beach, FLThis fashionable handbag is fashioned from supple dark blue calfskin leather. The case has a robust leather top handle with silver palladium links, a crossing flap with a strap closi...Category
Early 2000s French Briefcases and Attachés
- Bottega Veneta Black Intrecciato Leather Cassette Briefcase BagBy Bottega VenetaLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2The popular BV Cassette bag is presented in a super-functional briefcase silhouette. The bag is made of leather and it has the maxi Intrecciato motif, two ...Category
2010s Italian Briefcases and Attachés
- Prada BALTIC BLUE SAFFIANO LEATHER WORK BAGBy PradaLocated in Bishop's Stortford, HertfordshirePrada BALTIC BLUE SAFFIANO LEATHER WORK BAG ONDITION NOTES The exterior is in excellent condition with light signs of use. There is a scuff front cen...Category
2010s Italian Briefcases and Attachés
- Louis Vuitton Vintage Damier Ebene Altona BriefcaseBy Louis VuittonLocated in Scottsdale, AZThis handsome briefcase is crafted of Louis Vuitton signature damier canvas. There is a reinforced leather top handle with brass links and a smooth leather cross-over flap with a bra...Category
1980s French Briefcases and Attachés
$724 Sale Price20% Off - DIOR X RIMOWA Hand Case Black Oblique AluminumBy Christian DiorLocated in Montreal, QuebecDIOR X RIMOWA Hand Case Black Oblique Aluminum. Rare aluminum hand case featuring the emblematic Dior Oblique design on the exterior and interior, black plastic...Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Briefcases and Attachés
- Versace Vintage Black Leather Motif Embossed Briefcase Weekend BagBy VersaceLocated in Montreal, QuebecThis vintage Versace bag is made with a smooth matte black leather superior part and a body of shiny motif embossed leather. The matte black leathe...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Briefcases and Attachés
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
Explore a Century of Gucci Fashion in London
The iconic Italian label’s traveling exhibition has just arrived in London.
The Stories behind the Most Famous Luxury Fashion Logos
From Chanel to YSL, the logos of some legacy fashion houses spark instant brand recognition and have come to symbolize a kind of luxury that feels at once aspirational and attainable.