Gucci Brown Calfskin Leather Shoulder Bag
View Similar Items
Gucci Brown Calfskin Leather Shoulder Bag
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.
- Carlo Falchi Shades of Creams and Gray Pylon Skin Crossbody Shoulder BagBy Carlos FalchiLocated in New York, NYCarlo Falchi crossbody shoulder bag in shades of creams and gray pylon skin has an adjustable shoulder strap. The interior is lined with a cream textured silk as well as a zippere...Category
1990s Spanish Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
- Gucci 1973 Bronze Small Crossbody Handbag - GHWBy GucciLocated in West Palm Beach, FLThis beautiful bronze Gucci 1973 crossbody bag is perfect for everyday wear. Originates from the fall/winter 2010 season, this piece is in very good condition as it was carried by my...Category
2010s Italian Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
- Christian Dior Vintage Belt Saddle Bag Bum Bag Waist Fanny PackBy Christian DiorLocated in Bilbao, ESDior Waist Christian Saddle Fanny Pack Vintage Rare Off White Leather Cross Body Bag Crafted from canvas and leather, this ivory and brown saddle waist bel...Category
Early 2000s Italian Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
- Chanel Limited Edition Ice Cube Flap Metallic Gold Lambskin Leather Shoulder BagBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel Limited Edition Ice Cube Flap Metallic Gold Lambskin Leather Shoulder Bag Crafted from gold-tone leather, this Ice Cube CC logo chain shoulder bag features a chain and interw...Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Bags and Minaudières
- S/S 2002 Gucci by Tom Ford Runway Blush Suede Heart Crossbody BagBy Gucci, Tom Ford for GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAFrom the Spring/Summer 2002 collection, this adorable pink suede Gucci crossbody, designed by Tom Ford, features leather lace-up detailing at the side...Category
Early 2000s Italian Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
- Pre-Fall 2011 Yves Saint Laurent Gold Tone Quilted Leather Crossbody Evening BagBy Stefano Pilati for Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint LaurentLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a double flap gold-tone leather quilted Yves Saint Laurent bag, designed by Stefano Pilati. From the Pre-Fall 2011 collection, this ba...Category
Early 2000s Unknown Crossbody Bags and Messenger 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.