Gucci Large Emblem Leather Tote
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Height: 8 in (20.32 cm)Width: 5.5 in (13.97 cm)Length: 14 in (35.56 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: AU1312142471322
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New York, NY
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Saks Fifth Avenue Black Lambskin Woven Leather HandbagBy Saks Fifth AvenueLocated in New York, NYSaks Fifth Avenue black lambskin woven leather handbag has gold hardware and accented with an exterior compartment on the backside. The han...Category
1980s Italian Top Handle Bags
- Victorian Etched Silver Belt Buckle with Jade, Ruby, Emeralds and PearlsLocated in New York, NYCustom, One-of-a-kind, Magnificently detailed Victorian Silver Belt buckle finely etched with swirls of leaves and gently waves, accented with an oval jade, four emeralds, ruby and 1...Category
Early 1900s English Belts
- Bottega Veneta "Shades of Gray & Black" Signature Woven Lambskin ClutchBy Bottega VenetaLocated in New York, NYBottega Veneta "Shades of gray & Black" signature woven lambskin clutch measures 9" in length along the top and 12" along the bottom. The height measures 7" with a depth of 3...Category
1980s Italian Clutches
- Fendi Black Textured Calfskin with Gold Hardware Small Shoulder BagBy FendiLocated in New York, NYFendi black textured calfskin leather small shoulder bag is accented with gilded gold hardware on the straps, eyelet and zipper's tab. Their signature name logo is located on...Category
1990s Italian Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
- Escada Forest Green Lizard Skin Shoulder Bag with Removable StrapsBy EscadaLocated in New York, NYEscada's wonderfully detailed forest green lizard skin flap-over shoulder bag is accented with removable shoulder straps for used as a clutch if desire. The shoulder straps...Category
1990s Italian Shoulder Bags
- Bottega Veneta Vinyl-Coated "Butterflies" Shoulder BagBy Bottega VenetaLocated in New York, NYBottega Veneta wonderful vinyl-coated canvas shoulder bag features multi-colors of "Butterflies" throughout the exterior of the bag. The interior is fully lined with soft can...Category
1980s Italian Shoulder Bags
- Prada Saffiano leather beautycaseBy PradaLocated in Milano, ITBeautiful Prada beautycase made in the late 1980s. It's crafted in the signature black Saffiano leather, trademark of the Prada luggages an leather goods. The beautycase features a double leather handle, a combination number lock...Category
1980s Italian Luggage and Travel Bags
- Vintage GUCCI Black Suede Leather GG Gold tone logo Hobo Bag Crossbody Purse BagBy GucciLocated in Malibu, CA🖤1970’s GUCCI Perfection🖤 RARE and coveted black GUCCI Suede Shoulder Bag. Black smooth leather with supple suede and oversized GG hardwa...Category
1970s Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
- RARE Vintage Jean Paul Gaultier Burgundy Leather Waist Belt Bum Bag Fanny PackBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in Malibu, CA🖤The epitome of Chic!🖤 Ultra RARE Authentic Jean Paul Gaultier 1990’s Belt Bag! ICONIC style, and timeless luxury. EXCELLENT condition It can be worn as belt bag, a sling bag ov...Category
1990s Belt Bags
- Fendi Navy ClutchLocated in New York, NYLength: 13 Inches Height: 10 Inches Material: NylonCategory
1990s Clutches
- Chanel Black Patent ToteLocated in New York, NYLength: 12 Inches Height: 9.75 Inches Material: Patent LeatherCategory
1990s Tote Bags
- 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
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.