1960s Gucci Silver Metal Top Handle Bag Twist Lock Closure
View Similar Items
1960s Gucci Silver Metal Top Handle Bag Twist Lock Closure
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Height: 12.5 in (31.75 cm)Width: 9.75 in (24.77 cm)Depth: 3 in (7.62 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Scratches present at leather and handle, some color loss at gold accents.
- Seller Location:West Hollywood, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2388216842372
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.
- S/S 2004 Gucci by Tom Ford Black GG Horsebit Shoulder Bag with Pink Satin StripeBy Tom Ford for Gucci, GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CADesigned by Tom Ford during his tenure at the house of Gucci, this bag represents Tom's interpretation of many of Gucci's classic elements ('GG' canvas, horse bits, etc.). This shoul...Category
1990s Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
- F/W 1994 Vintage Gianni Versace Silver Metallic Python Medusa Shoulder BagBy Gianni Versace Couture, Gianni VersaceLocated in West Hollywood, CAConstructed of shiny, silver metallic python, this vintage Gianni Versace was made in the early 1990s. Silver metal Medusa logos are prominently featured at the bottom of the handles...Category
1990s Italian Top Handle Bags
- F/W 2004 Gucci by Tom Ford Finale GG Gold Bamboo Ring Shoulder BagBy Tom Ford for Gucci, GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a 'GG' monogram woven small tote designed by Tom Ford for Gucci. As part of Ford's final collection with Gucci, his bag features the same gold metallic leather and bamboo hardware...Category
Early 2000s Italian Top Handle Bags
- 2000s Gianni Versace by Donatella Embroidered Lizard Medusa Clutch Strap Y2KBy Donatella Versace for Gianni Versace, Gianni VersaceLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a purple lizard-embossed Gianni Versace frame bag designed by Donatella Versace in the early 2000s. This Y2K bag features a gunmetal Medusa medallio...Category
Early 2000s Italian Top Handle Bags
- S/S 1998 Gucci by Tom Ford Tan Patent Leather Ombré Lucite Top Handle BagBy Tom Ford for Gucci, GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a rare tan leather Gucci bag, designed by Tom Ford. This beautiful bag is constructed primarily of leather and is made complete with gold-colored accents and a clear ombré...Category
1990s Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
- S/S 2003 Gucci by Tom Ford Black Alligator Large Bullet Bag Bamboo Lock FlapBy Tom Ford for Gucci, GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a gorgeous black crocodile skin Gucci bullet bag, designed by Tom Ford. This iconic Tom Ford design was taken to a whole new level when he ...Category
Early 2000s Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
- Hermès Mustard Clemence 35 cm Victoria II BagBy HermèsLocated in Palm Beach, FLThis authentic Hermès Mustard Clemence 35 cm Victoria II Bag is in excellent condition. The relaxed silhouette is roomy and soft to the hand in textured mustard yellow Clemence leat...Category
Early 2000s French Top Handle Bags
- Emilio Pucci Canvas Top Handle BagBy Emilio PucciLocated in Scottsdale, AZSnag this unique print Pucci bag for the upcoming poolside season. Emilio Pucci is known for his fluid shapes, kaleidoscopic motifs, and bright colors. This bag features a beautiful blue leather handle, intricate flower print with hues of lime green, purple, blue and black, and a spacious monogrammed interior. Think about pairing this with your favorite summer dress in your closet and some vintage Dior wedges...Category
1990s Italian Top Handle Bags
- Gianni Versace Vanitas Quilted HandbagBy Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in Scottsdale, AZCalling all Versace lovers! Circa mid 2000s, this handbag is crafted from white leather and features quilted stitching with the signature Versace Baroque...Category
2010s Italian Top Handle Bags
- Prada Saffiano Lux Promenade Top Handle BagBy Prada, Miuccia PradaLocated in Scottsdale, AZThis Prada Saffiano Promenade handbag is the definition of understated elegance! Prada presents a neutral rendition of their iconic Promenade handbag in this versatile beige shade complimented by yellow gold hardware. The structure of this handbag is so sleek and modern, and the inside is so functional that you are never going to get enough wear out of this handbag. The inside is broken up into 3 different sized compartments all designed with different pockets/storing features to ensure your belongings stay organized and secure! Lined with the most stunning Prada logo satin, this bag is as luxurious as it is wearable! Pair this with an Hermes skirt...Category
2010s Italian Top Handle Bags
- Givenchy 2011 Antigona Mini Python BagBy GivenchyLocated in Scottsdale, AZAdd some color to your looks with this amazing Givenchy Antigona bag! Circa 2011, this rare bag is beautifully crafted from laminated python and finished in vibrant hot pink. Feature...Category
2010s Italian Shoulder Bags
- Chanel Crumpled White Patent Droplet Hobo Shoulder BagBy ChanelLocated in Scottsdale, AZNOW TRENDING: Large slouchy bags! Get your hands on the biggest trend for the fall and winter. This soft teardrop shape drapes perfectly to give you that ...Category
2010s French Hobo 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.