Judith Leiber Butterfly Crystal Clutch Bag with Leather Interior
By Judith Leiber
Located in Krakow, PL
Judith Leiber Butterfly Crystal Clutch Bag Sz. One Size Very Good Condition Description: Stunning Judith Leiber butterfly-shaped clutch adorned with crystals and gold-tone hardware.
Judith Leiber Opulent Jeweled Large Scale Gilt Metal Butterfly Belt c 1980s
By Judith Leiber
Located in University City, MO
Judith Leiber Opulent crystal encrusted large scale gilt metal butterfly belt c 1980s The massive gilt metal butterfly buckle is embellished with rows of intricate diamante crystals ...
Judith Leiber Gold Tone Butterfly Bookmark Clip with Cabachon Sapphire
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Designer: Judith Leiber Dimensions: bookmark is 38.73mm by 32.55mm Weight: 9.86 grams
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1980s Judith Leiber Butterfly Belt
By Judith Leiber
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
An adorable Judith Leiber butterfly belt encrusted with rose quartz, jade, black onyx and amethyst stones surrounded by clear crystals sit atop a gold tone double banded stretch belt.
Judith Leiber Butterfly Crystal Clutch Bag
By Judith Leiber
Located in Krakow, PL
Judith Leiber Butterfly Crystal Clutch Bag Sz. One Size Very Good Condition Description: Stunning Judith Leiber butterfly-shaped clutch adorned with crystals and gold-tone hardware.
Vintage JUDITH LEIBER Gold Multi-Color Butterfly Rhinestones Handbag
By Judith Leiber
Located in San Francisco, CA
Vintage JUDITH LEIBER bag comes in multi-color rhinestones with a gold leather lining featuring a butterfly design, gold tone chain link strap, and a clasp closure.
Judith Leiber Butterfly Belt
By Judith Leiber
Located in Alford, MA
Elegant Judith Leiber black satin belt featuring a butterfly buckle composed of crystals punctuated by various colored cabochons.
Judith Leiber Butterfly Crystal Minaudiere Bag
By Judith Leiber
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Judith Leiber accessories hold nothing back when it comes to creativity and vivid color.
Judith Leiber Gold Butterfly Leather Belt
By Judith Leiber
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Judith Leiber gold butterfly jeweled belt with black leather strap.
Judith Leiber Metallic Lizard Butterfly Clutch
By Judith Leiber
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Judith Leiber Metallic Lizard Butterfly Clutch in excellent condition. tan lizard leather with metallic gold sheen trimmed with silver hardware and pale yellow gemstones in embellish...
Judith Leiber Snakeskin Rhinestone Butterfly Bag
By Judith Leiber
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
The most adorable little Judith Leiber snakeskin handbag bag! Constructed of a unique spotted gold snakeskin in a structured rectangular silhouette.
1990's Vintage Judith Leiber Enamel Butterfly Clip Earrings
By Judith Leiber
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Judith Leiber enamel butterfly ear clips with green wings and rhinestones
Judith Leiber Exquisite Massive Jeweled Butterfly Belt circa 1980s
By Judith Leiber
Located in University City, MO
Judith Leiber Exquisite massive jeweled butterfly belt c 1980s The opulent belt is adorned with a large scale gilt metal butterfly buckle encrusted with glittering diamante crystals...
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Size: Extends from 23 up to 39 inches
Judith Leiber Jeweled Glass Cabochon Black Leather Butterfly Belt Circa 1980s
By Judith Leiber
Located in University City, MO
Judith Leiber Opulent jeweled glass black leather butterfly belt c 1980s The elegant belt is designed with a butterfly buckle embellished with a collection of pastel glass cabochons ...
Judith Leiber Massive Crystal Jeweled Gilt Metal Butterfly Belt c 1980s
By Judith Leiber
Located in University City, MO
Judith Leiber Exquisite massive crystal encrusted butterfly belt c 1980s The opulent large-scale gilt metal butterfly buckle is embellished with intricate rows of glittering diamant...
Judith Leiber Swarovski Crystal Butterfly Minaudiere
Located in Philadelphia, PA
JUDITH LEIBER Swarovksi crystal butterfly minaudiere in excellent condition.
Judith Leiber butterfly minaudier
By Judith Leiber
Located in Cloverdale, CA
Judith Leiber butterfly minaudier
Judith Leiber Butterfly Minaudiere Clutch
By Judith Leiber
Located in US
Judith Leiber butterfly clutch/minaudiere featured in gold-tone with semi-precious stone encrusted throughout, top opening also has semi-precious stones.
Judith Leiber Butterfly Closure Minaudiere Crystal Small
By Judith Leiber
Located in NY, NY
This authentic Judith Leiber Butterfly Closure Minaudiere Crystal Small is perfect for night outs.
Judith Leiber Chain Belt with Butterflies XL
By Judith Leiber
Located in US
Judith Leiber multi strand wide chain link belt in a gold tone metal with dangling pink and maroon butterflies that are comprised of colored gemstones.
Judith Leiber Papillon Butterfly Minaudiere Embellished Leather
By Judith Leiber
Located in NY, NY
This authentic Judith Leiber Papillon Butterfly Minaudiere Embellished Leather is perfect for nights out.
Judith Leiber Enameled and Rhinestone Butterfly Brooch
By Judith Leiber
Located in Chicago, IL
This is not only a great looking brooch, but the workmanship is really very good.
Lovely Judith Leiber Swarovski Crystal Butterfly Minaudiere Evening Bag
By Judith Leiber
Located in Delray Beach, FL
This beautiful Judith Leiber Swarovski crystal minaudiere with multi colored butterflies is a must for any collection.
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H 4.75 in D 2.33 in L 9.25 in
1980s Judith Leiber Black Satin Evening Bag with Jeweled Butterfly Clasp
By Judith Leiber
Located in New York, NY
Fantastic Judith Leiber black sating evening bag with jeweled butterfly clasp.
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H 5.75 in W 8.5 in D 2 in
Vintage Judith Leiber White Lizard Convertible Bag With Jeweled Butterfly Clasp
By Judith Leiber
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Vintage White Lizard Convertible Bag is a must for lovers of Leiber! Features luxurious, slightly gathered lizard skin, front flap, gusseted sides, and optional shoulder strap. Con...
Judith Leiber Swarovski Crystal Butterfly Minaudiere
By Judith Leiber
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
Judith Leiber swarovski crystal butterfly minaudiere.
Judith Leiber Dazzling Butterfly Evening Bag
By Judith Leiber
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A wonderful gold-tone butterfly motif evening bag from Judith Leiber, covered in the designer's signature crystals throughout.
Judith Leiber Swarovski Butterfly Clutch - multicolor
By Judith Leiber
Located in Baarn, NL
Judith Leiber creates the most beautiful evening bags, this is one of them!
Judith Leiber Satin Clutch with Butterfly Closure
By Judith Leiber
Located in US
Gorgeous Judith Leiber clutch featured in a blue red satin fabric with a slightly ruched opening.
Vintage Signed 1984 Judith Leiber Multi-Color Rhinestone Butterfly Box
By Judith Leiber
Located in New York, NY
This vintage signed Judith Leiber box features a butterfly design with multi-color rhinestones in a gold-tone setting.
John Galliano for Christian Dior Pink Silk Flower Dress
By John Galliano, Christian Dior
Located in Water Mill, NY
A beautiful blush pink silk dress with green and bright pink flowers by John Galliano for Christian Dior. It has ruched straps forming a front V, the skirt falls in gentle folds to ...
John Galliano for Christian Dior Silk Lace up Top and Skirt
By John Galliano, Christian Dior
Located in Water Mill, NY
An incredible 2 piece silk skirt and top set in a pink and yellow flower print from John Galliano for Christian Dior. The top has adjustable functional pink lacing at the center fron...
Yves Saint Laurent YSL Vintage Jewelled Heart Silk Cord Belt
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Nice, FR
YVES SAINT LAURENT vintage black passementerie cord belt featuring a gold and silver toned heart with crystal embellishement. One size fits all. Adjustable length. Embossed YSL Mad...
Gucci by Tom Ford Black Knit fitted Spaghetti Strap Dress
By Tom Ford for Gucci, Gucci
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
2000s Gucci Black Knit fitted dress with thin strap. Size 0/2 ***small flaws ( see last pic attached)
Dolce & Gabbana Autumn-Winter 1990 beaded corset blouse
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in London, GB
Dolce & Gabbana Autumn-Winter 1990 beaded corset blouse
Judith Leiber Swarovski Crystal Egg Minaudiere Evening Bag
By Judith Leiber
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Leiber's crystal minaudières, known for their whimsical and fanciful forms (like eggs, animals, and food), are considered works of art. They are displayed in permanent collections at...
$10,662
Size: FR 34 - UK 6 - IT 38 - US 0
Gucci by Tom Ford purple embroidered lace flared evening pants, fw 1999
By Tom Ford for Gucci, Gucci
Located in London, GB
Gucci by Tom Ford purple embroidered lace and silk flared evening pants with leather ribbon bows on knees Fall-Winter 1999
Versace Iconic Sequins and Beads Multicolour Long Dress
By Versace
Located in Capri, IT
Versace Iconic Sequins and Beads Multicolour Long Dress Unique and rare long multicolour dress totally made in italy in italian size range 40 Beads and sequins all over
UNWORN Rare Gucci by Tom Ford SS 1996 Black Lace Mini Dress Gown 38
By Gucci, Tom Ford for Gucci
Located in Switzerland, CH
Stunning Gucci by Tom Ford lace dress From his SS 1996 collection for Gucci Finest black lace Fully lined with nude silk Made in Italy Dry Clean Only Size 38 Seen in the AD campaig...
Gucci Silk Dress with Hardware and Cut outs
By Frida Giannini, Gucci
Located in Water Mill, NY
A fabulous grey silk jersey dress from Gucci. It is fitted with long sleeves and cut outs at one shoulder and side waist plus a slit along the front of one leg of the straight skirt...
$521Sale Price|25% Off
Size: Small - Large
1960s Oleg Cassini Black Vinyl Fringe Vintage 60s Swimsuit or Bodysuit Onesie
By Oleg Cassini
Located in San Diego, CA
Super chic OLEG CASSINI 1960s black vinyl fringe swimsuit or bodysuit! Flattering boy cut cover the buttocks perfectly, and stretches to fit. Black vinyl fringe below the waist. Adju...
Vivienne Westwood red patent leather platforms, fw 1994
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in London, GB
Vivienne Westwood red patent leather platforms. Fall Winter 1994
$3,280
Size: FR 38 - UK 10 - US 6
Vivienne Westwood cow print nude silk corseted off shoulder dress, ss 1999
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in London, GB
Vivienne Westwood cow print nude and black silk mid-length evening dress with built-in corset and draped off-shoulder neckline Spring-Summer 1999
Gianni Versace Vintage Embellished Knit Black Top
By Gianni Versace
Located in Englishtown, NJ
Gianni Versace Vintage Embellished Knit Black Top IT 40
John Galliano black acetate evening slip dress, ss 1997
By John Galliano
Located in London, GB
John Galliano black acetate evening slip dress with spaghetti straps and scoop neckline. Spring-Summer 1997
Azzedine Alaia black viscose and chenille figure hugging dress, fw 1989
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in London, GB
Azzedine Alaia black viscose above-the-knee figure hugging dress with chenille net panels, turtle neck and zip fastening. Fall-Winter 1989
When it comes to handbags, no designer can compete with Judith Leiber’s ability to create magic using opulent crystals and wildly imaginative and playful shapes. The Hungarian-born designer's lauded vintage minaudières (small, decorative handbags, often without handles or a strap) were made in the form of crystal-covered swans, cupcakes, lipstick, wads of cash, teddy bears and other delightful objects.
These dazzling objets d’art have been regularly seen in the hands of First Ladies, movie stars on the red carpet and even in the prestigious collections of institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art. And like many pathbreaking inventions in the history of design, Leiber's purses and minaudières were the result of a happy accident.
In 1967, Leiber began working on her first metal handbag. The piece in question was named the Chatelaine, and the design was a graceful drop-shaped purse in gold-tinted metal. But when the samples came in, Leiber saw that the bottom of the bag looked greenish and discolored as a result of the plating process. She had the ingenious idea of applying crystal rhinestones to the base to cover up the flaws. The fabulous bag was a huge success and would become her trademark.
Born Judith Peto in Budapest, Leiber overcame many hardships before her breakthrough. At the start of World War II, she was working at the Pessl handbag company in Budapest where she quickly climbed the ranks to become a master craftswoman. When the war escalated, she and her Jewish family were forced by the Nazis to live in a cellar of a ghetto, and several of her relatives were killed in concentration camps.
“I designed handbags in my head to get through the misery,” Leiber said.
After the liberation of Budapest, she married Gerson “Gus” Leiber, an American GI, and moved to New York. In 1948, she began working for the fashion house Nettie Rosenstein. One of Leiber's first major pieces was the handbag embroidered with glittering rhinestones and pearls carried by Mamie Eisenhower at the 1953 inaugural ball. In 1963, she finally set up her own company.
Leiber’s whimsical designs embellished with Swarovski crystals and semiprecious stones defied traditional notions of luxury handbags. She also created striking clutches and bags with leather and fine textiles from around the world. In her 65-year career, she designed over 3,500 bags, which have been worn by First Ladies including Nancy Reagan and Laura Bush, pop icons like Beyoncé and Jennifer Lopez and celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner (who collects Judith Leiber bags).
In 2005, the Leiber Collection Museum opened in East Hampton, New York, as a permanent space to showcase her work. The minaudières remain coveted objects that are celebrated worldwide for their eclectic beauty and glamorous charm.
The value of a good handbag cannot be overstated — find vintage Judith Leiber shoulder bags, crossbody bags, sunglasses and other fashion accessories today on 1stDibs.