Vintage GUCCI Black Ostrich Leather Gold Crest Shoulder Bag
View Similar Items
Vintage GUCCI Black Ostrich Leather Gold Crest Shoulder Bag
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.
- MARC JACOBS Black Quilted Leather Cross Body HandbagBy Marc JacobsLocated in San Francisco, CAMARC JACOBS handbag comes in a black quilted leather featuring a crossbody strap, gold tone chain link trim, dual inner compartment, and a snap button closure. Made in Italy.Good Pre...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
- REBECCA MINKOFF Grey Rabbit Fur Leather Cross Body HandbagBy Rebecca MinkoffLocated in San Francisco, CAREBECCA MINKOFF phone bag comes in a grey leather featuring a detachable crossbody strap, multi-color rabbit four detail at the strap, and a magnetic button closure.Excellent Pre-Ow...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
- CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN Black & Red Plaid Canvas Spike iPad CaseBy Christian LouboutinLocated in San Francisco, CACHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN iPad Case comes in a black & red plaid canvas with all over spike details featuring a leather strap, inner pocket, and a zip up closure. Fits a regular iPad.Very ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
- BURBERRY by Christopher Bailey Brown Textured Pebble Grain Leather Messenger BagBy BurberryLocated in San Francisco, CABURBERRY by Christopher Bailey bag comes in a brown textured leather featuring a messenger style, gold tone hardware, top handles, detachable crossbody strap, front flap design, inne...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
- PAUL SMITH Black Pebble Grain Leather Briefcase BagLocated in San Francisco, CAPAUL SMITH briefcase bag comes in a black pebble grain leather with a stripe trim featuring a shoulder strap, top handles, and a zipper closure.Very Good Pre-Owned Condition. Measu...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
- PAUL SMITH Navy & Black Leather Shoulder Strap Briefcase BagLocated in San Francisco, CAPAUL SMITH briefcase bag comes in a navy & black leather featuring a shoulder strap, top handles, gold tone hardware, inner slots, and a zip up closure. Moderate wear.Good Pre-Owned ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
- Hermès Limited Edition Constance 18 Studio Disco PHW 2021 Brand NewBy HermèsLocated in Hong Kong, HKStamp Z Brand New Full Set. This item is final sale and not eligible for return.Category
2010s French Structured Shoulder Bags
- Hermès Constance 18 Varanus Salvator Lizard Ombre GHW in Excellent ConditionBy HermèsLocated in Hong Kong, HKStamp Y Excellent Condition accompanied by: Hermès box, dustbag, felt and leather care booklet. This item is final sale and not eligible for return.Category
2010s French Structured Shoulder Bags
- Chanel Caviar Executive Shopper Tote BrownBy ChanelLocated in Palm Beach, FLBrown, copper, and iridescent CHANEL Caviar Executive Shopping Tote. This traditional shopper tote is classy and stylish despite its simplicity. The bag is made from textured leather...Category
2010s Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
- Chanel Classic Double Flap Bag Quilted Lambskin GoldBy ChanelLocated in Palm Beach, FLThe famous Chanel Classic Double Flap new model shoulder bag is created in black diamond-quilted lambskin leather and adorned with gold-tone turn...Category
Early 2000s Structured Shoulder Bags
- Chanel 90's Black Iconic Bucket BagBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel 90's Black Iconic Bucket Bag Color: black, gold Condition: Very Good; minor fading on hardware. please refer to photos. Dimensions: 9" L x 8.5" W ER...Category
1990s French Bucket Bags and Drawstring Bags
- Chanel 1990 Rare Jumbo Maxi XL Vintage Classic Flap Giant Clutch BriefcaseBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel Rare Jumbo Maxi XL Vintage Classic Flap Giant Clutch Briefcase Year: 1989-1991 {Vintage 35 Years} Gold hardware Black quilted lambskin leather Snap cl...Category
1990s 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.