1960's Gucci Suede Purse
View Similar Items
1960's Gucci Suede Purse
About the Item
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.
- Coffer Shoulder Bag Matelasse Leather White by Miu MiuBy Miu MiuLocated in Bilbao, ESThis chic and feminine Coffer hobo is from Miu Miu. The bag is crafted from off-white leather carrying the signature matelassé pattern and features a flap that opens up to a fabric-l...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Hobo Bags
- Gucci Pink Leather Bag With Bamboo Closure and big golden horsebit logoBy GucciLocated in Bilbao, ESGucci Pink Leather Bag With Bamboo Closure and big golden horsebit logo Rest of boutique stock never used Double round leather strap: 6.5" Polished light gold hardware Zippered top closure Horsebit print textile lining One main compartment Large interior zipper pocket Length 33 cm 12,99 inches Height 15 cm 5,9 inches Width: 14 cm 5,51 inches Made In: Italy 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. PRADERA Fashion Division...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Top Handle Bags
$782 Sale Price25% OffFree Shipping - Louis Vuitton Abbesses Messenger Bag Monogram CanvasBy Louis VuittonLocated in Bilbao, ESLouis Vuitton Abbesses Messenger Bag in brown and camel monogram canvas fearturing gold-tone hardware. Opens with a flap and is lined in brown canvas with one zip pocket against the ...Category
2010s French Suitcases and Trunks
- Jimmy Choo Justine Leather Handbag - TaupeBy Jimmy ChooLocated in Bilbao, ESJIMMY CHOO bag Boston Justine model in taupe Taupe leather, gold trim, two flat leather handles, front patch pocket and flap pocket with zip, double top zip, beige canvas lining, on...Category
1990s Malaysian Top Handle Bags
- VIintage Prada Clutch in Carved Leather Suede and Swaroski crystalsBy PradaLocated in Bilbao, ESPrada Vintage bag with beaded detail and crocodile leather closure. Width: 34 cm/ 13,38 inches Height: 17 cm/ 6,69 inches Depth: 7 cm/ 2,75 inches Co...Category
1990s Italian Clutches
- Hermès Jige Élan 29 cm clutch in Golden brown Epsom leatherBy HermèsLocated in Bilbao, ESHermès Jige Leather Clutch Hermès Jige Élan 29 cm clutch in Golden brown Epsom leather Details Fit: Women Category: Bags Subcategory: Clutch bags Designer: Hermes Model: Jige Material: Leather Colour: Brown Measures Width : 28cm Height : 19cm THE HERMÈS POCHETTES, AN ESSENTIAL PARTY ACCESSORY An Hermès pochette is a complement of distinction. The Parisian brand has in its pochettes one of its most recognizable and classic products. Throughout many decades, these handbags have been an icon of style and luxury, in fact, many women have worn Hermès pochettes in some of the most important events of their lives. A pochette or pouch is a small-sized handbag, prepared to contain objects of daily use. Its masculine equivalent is the wallet, however, the shape of the pochette is more elongated than its masculine version. A luxury clutch is a very useful accessory to carry essential objects, it is also a very sophisticated accessory, especially if it is part of the Hermès catalog...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Clutches
- 1930's Hand Woven Fish Basket Purse Bucket BagLocated in New York, NY1930's hand woven circular fish basket purse with double drop handles to carry in hand or under arm. The bag can also be used to enhance home decor and as a catch all. Beautiful piece.Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Shoulder Bags
- 2004 brown Lambskin leather pleated rings hobo shoulder bagBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLNew condition with faint scratches to hardware. Includes box, dust bag and authenticity card. Extremely rare bag, super soft buttery leather. Large CC silver hardwareCategory
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoulder Bags
- Louis Vuitton Lavender Shoulder BagLocated in New York, NYLength: 8.75” inches Height: 5.25” inches Material: leather Condition: goodCategory
1990s Shoulder Bags
- Vintage 2001 Louis Vuitton x Stephen Sprouse Monogram Graffiti PochetteBy Louis VuittonLocated in Malibu, CAThis dreamy LOUIS VUITTON limited edition leather pochette bag is as stunning as they come. A coveted collectors piece. From the Steven Sprouse collaboration this bag is to die for! ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Structured Shoulder Bags
- Louis Vuitton Les Extraordinaires Tupelo PM HandbagBy Louis VuittonLocated in Palm Beach, FLRare Louis Vuitton spring les extraordinaires Tupelo PM edition from the 2006 spring-summer season in excellent condition. The white leather exterior has gold embroidery and set jewe...Category
Early 2000s French Shoulder Bags
- Dolce and Gabanna Devotion Floral Shoulder BagBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Palm Beach, FLQuilted nappa leather medium Devotion crossbody bag. Feminine and adaptable, it boasts an original heart clasp with an antique gold finish and a shoulder strap inspired by the method...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
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.