Gucci Top Handle Caramel Leather Bag with Strap
View Similar Items
Gucci Top Handle Caramel Leather Bag with Strap
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.
- Renaud Pellegrino Yellow Satin Flap Bag with Beaded HandleBy Renaud PellegrinoLocated in Austin, TXRenaud Pellegrino yellow satin flap bag with beaded handle. Condition: Very good. 8" W x 6.5" H x 2" D 7" shoulder strap dropCategory
1990s French Shoulder Bags
- Paloma Picasso Leather Bucket BagBy Paloma PicassoLocated in Austin, TXPaloma Picasso red leather bucket bag. Condition: Very good.Category
1980s American Top Handle Bags
- Renaud Pellegrino for Harry Winston Evening BagBy Renaud PellegrinoLocated in Austin, TXRenaud Pellegrino for Harry Winston mini evening bag with amber beaded strap. Condition: ExcellentCategory
1990s French Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Early 1960s Teal Traina Silk DressBy Teal TrainaLocated in Austin, TXEarly 1960s Teal Traina striped silk orange, navy and cream dress. Two hook and eye on shoulder, zipper down side. Condition: Very good, small spot on si...Category
1960s American Day Dresses
- 1980s Bill Blass Satin Floor Length Evening GownBy Bill BlassLocated in Austin, TX1980s Bill Blass Satin Floor Length Pleat Front Bodie Evening Gown Condition: Excellent Blue and yellow size M / us 6 27.25" bust, 29.5" waist, 34" ...Category
1980s American Evening Gowns
- 1999 Jean Paul Gaultier gownBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in Austin, TX1999 Jean Paul Gaultier gown pleating drop waist condition: Excellent 36" bust, 35" waist, 34" hips, 80" length sz M/ US 8 / IT44Category
1990s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Hermès Kelly Ostrich Pochette GHW Orange GHW in Excellent ConditionBy HermèsLocated in Hong Kong, HKStamp X in Excellent Condition This item is final sale and not eligible for return.Category
2010s French Top Handle Bags
- 2015 Chanel Rare black Classic flap enamel crossbody top handle bagBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLVery rare piece the same collection in a larger size as bag seen on kate middleton Lambskin leather comes with dust bag and authenticity card. In like...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
- 2008 Chanel Mademoiselle patent leather frame bagBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLWorn by Kim K. in a larger version In excellent condition minor wrinkles to patent leather on bottom of bag. Can be worn as a wrist satchel, top handle bag or a...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Top Handle Bags
- Chanel Raffia Rattan & Calfskin Vanity Case BagBy ChanelLocated in London, GBA unique Raffia handbag by Chanel. The exterior of this Raffia bag is crafted with black calfskin and neutral rattan interwoven seamlessly. It feature...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags
- Chloe Aby Grey Leather Shoulder/Crossbody/Top Handle BagBy ChloéLocated in Arnhem, NLA CHLOÉ " Aby " shoulder bag made of grey (Motty Grey) leather with light gold and silver toned hardware. The interior consists of two major compartments divided by a pocket with a z...Category
2010s Italian Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
- Bottega Veneta Mount Envelope Small White Leather Top Handle Crossbody BagBy Bottega VenetaLocated in Banner Elk, NCBottega Veneta Mount Envelope Small White Leather Top Handle Crossbody Bag, 2021. This contemporary piece of fashion was introduced for the Fall 2...Category
2010s Italian Top Handle 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.