Christian Dior Orange Python Miss Dior Small Flap Bag
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Christian Dior Orange Python Miss Dior Small Flap Bag in excellent condition. Orange python snakeskin exterior trimmed with gold hardware. Front pinch latch closure opens via single ...
DIOR 'Miss Dior' Flap Bag in Green Patent Leather
By Christian Dior
Located in Paris, FR
DIOR 'Miss DIOR' flap bag in green patent leather. It has a palladium silver hardware. It has a flap with an outside slit at the back. It is worn shoulder or crossover with a shoul...
CHRISTIAN DIOR Black Quilted Lambskin Miss Dior Flap Bag
By Christian Dior
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
CHRISTIAN DIOR Black Quilted Lambskin Miss Dior Flap Bag Xupes Reference: CB867 Serial Number: 09-BO-1115 Age (Circa): 2015 Accompanied By: Authenticity Card Authenticity Details: A...
CHRISTIAN DIOR "Miss Dior" Beige Tweed Ltd Ed Shoulder Flap Bag
By Christian Dior
Located in New York, NY
DIOR "Miss Dior" Beige Tweed Limited Edition Shoulder Flap Bag Made In Italy Materials: Tweed, Rhinestones, Gold Chain Links, Gold Hardware. Features Bold Tweed Pipi...
Christian Dior Orange Python Miss Dior Medium Flap Bag
By Christian Dior
Located in Krakow, PL
Christian Dior Orange Python Miss Dior Small Flap Bag in excellent condition. Orange python snakeskin exterior trimmed. Front pinch latch closure opens via single flap to an orange ...
Christian Dior Orange Python Miss Dior Small Flap Bag
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Christian Dior Orange Python Miss Dior Small Flap Bag in excellent condition. Orange python snakeskin exterior trimmed with gold hardware. Front pinch latch closure opens via single ...
Christian Dior Miss Dior Flap Bag Tweed Medium
By Christian Dior
Located in NY, NY
This Christian Dior Miss Dior Flap Bag Tweed Medium, crafted from black and purple tweed, features a chain link strap, frontal flap and gold-tone hardware. Its push-lock closure open...
Christian Dior Miss Dior Flap Bag Tweed Medium
By Christian Dior
Located in NY, NY
This Christian Dior Miss Dior Flap Bag Tweed Medium, crafted from neutral and gold tweed, features chain link strap, frontal flap and gold-tone hardware. Its push-lock closure opens ...
Dior Beige Tweed Medium Miss Dior Flap Bag
By Christian Dior
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
Flap bags like this Miss Dior will never go out of style. Crafted from tweed, this Dior flap bag features a grand exterior and a chain strap. The front flap has a Dior lock that open...
Dior Blue Cannage Leather Miss Dior Flap Bag
By Christian Dior
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
Flap bags like this Miss Dior hold the promise of enduring style to be part of your forever collection. Crafted from leather, this Dior bag features a blue Cannage quilted exterior a...
Dior Blue Cannage Leather Miss Dior Flap Bag
By Christian Dior
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
Flap bags like this Miss Dior hold the promise of enduring style to be part of your forever collection. Crafted from leather, this Dior bag features a blue Cannage quilted exterior a...
Dior Black Tweed Medium Miss Dior Flap Bag
By Christian Dior
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
Flap bags like this Miss Dior will never go out of style. Crafted from tweed, this Dior bag features a black Cannage exterior and a chain strap. The front flap has a gold-tone lock t...
Dior Black Tweed Medium Miss Dior Flap Bag
By Christian Dior
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
Flap bags like this Miss Dior will never go out of style. Crafted from tweed, this Dior bag features a black Cannage exterior and a chain strap. The front flap has a gold-tone lock t...
Christian Dior Miss Dior Flap Bag Tweed Medium
By Christian Dior
Located in NY, NY
Condition: Very good. Moderate wear and discoloration on leather trims, small indentations underneath flap, small marks in interior, scratches on hardware. Accessories: Keys, Clochet...
Christian Dior Miss Dior Flap Bag Tweed Medium
By Christian Dior
Located in NY, NY
These are professional pictures of the actual item offered by Rebag. Condition: Very good. Scuffs and wear on leather trims, shoulder pad, underneath flap and in interior, minor spl...
Christian Dior Miss Dior Flap Bag Tweed Medium
By Christian Dior
Located in NY, NY
This Christian Dior Miss Dior Flap Bag Tweed Medium, crafted from beige tweed, features a chain link strap, frontal flap and gold-tone hardware. Its push-lock closure opens to a purp...
Dior Black Cannage Leather Miss Dior Flap Bag
By Christian Dior
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
Designer bags are ideal companions for ample occasions! Here we have a fashion-meets-functionality piece crafted with precision. It has been equipped with a well-sized interior that ...
Christian Dior Miss Dior Flap Bag Tweed Medium
By Christian Dior
Located in NY, NY
Condition: Very good. Wear along exterior piping, on clochette and in interior, creasing underneath flap, scuffs in interior, scratches on hardware. Accessories: Dust Bag, Keys, Cloc...
Christian Dior Miss Dior Flap Bag Ombre Python Medium
By Christian Dior
Located in NY, NY
This Christian Dior Miss Dior Flap Bag Ombre Python Medium, crafted from genuine pink and purple ombre python skin, features a chain link strap, frontal flap and gold-tone hardware. ...
Dior Black Cannage Leather Miss Dior Medium Flap Bag
By Christian Dior
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
Flap bags like this Miss Dior will never go out of style. Crafted from leather, this Dior flap bag features a black Cannage exterior and a chain strap. The front flap has a Dior lock...
Dior Pink Cannage Leather Large Miss Dior Flap Bag
By Christian Dior
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
Flap bags like this Miss Dior will never go out of style. Crafted from Leather, this Dior flap bag features a pink Cannage exterior and a chain strap. The front flap has a Dior lock ...
Dior Pink Cannage Leather Large Miss Dior Flap Bag
By Christian Dior
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
Flap bags like this Miss Dior will never go out of style. Crafted from Leather, this Dior flap bag features a pink Cannage exterior and a chain strap. The front flap has a Dior lock ...
Dior Black Cannage Leather Small Miss Dior Flap Bag
By Christian Dior
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
Flap bags like this Miss Dior will never go out of style. Crafted from leather, this Dior flap bag features a black Cannage exterior and a chain strap. The front flap has a Dior lock...
Dior Black Cannage Leather Miss Dior Medium Flap Bag
By Christian Dior
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
Flap bags like this Miss Dior will never go out of style. Crafted from leather, this Dior flap bag features a black Cannage exterior and a chain strap. The front flap has a Dior lock...
Dior Grey Cannage Leather Large Miss Dior Flap Bag
By Christian Dior
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
Flap bags like this Miss Dior will never go out of style. Crafted from leather, this Dior flap bag features a grey Cannage exterior and a chain strap. The front flap has a Dior lock ...
Dior Black Cannage Leather Miss Dior Medium Flap Bag
By Christian Dior
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
Flap bags like this Miss Dior will never go out of style. Crafted from leather, this Dior flap bag features a black Cannage exterior and a chain strap. The front flap has a Dior lock...
Dior Grey Cannage Leather Large Miss Dior Flap Bag
By Christian Dior
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
Flap bags like this Miss Dior will never go out of style. Crafted from leather, this Dior flap bag features a grey Cannage exterior and a chain strap. The front flap has a Dior lock ...
Dior Black Cannage Leather Miss Dior Medium Flap Bag
By Christian Dior
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
Flap bags like this Miss Dior will never go out of style. Crafted from leather, this Dior flap bag features a black Cannage exterior and a chain strap. The front flap has a Dior lock...
Dior Orange Cannage Leather Medium Miss Dior Flap Bag
By Christian Dior
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
Flap bags like this Miss Dior will never go out of style. Crafted from leather, this Dior flap bag features an Orange Cannage exterior and a chain strap. The front flap has a Dior lo...
Dior Black Cannage Leather Miss Dior Medium Flap Bag
By Christian Dior
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
Flap bags like this Miss Dior hold the promise of enduring style to be part of your forever collection. Crafted from leather, this Dior bag features a black Cannage quilted exterior ...
Dior Red Cannage Leather Medium Miss Dior Flap Bag
By Christian Dior
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
Flap bags like this Miss Dior hold the promise of enduring style to be part of your forever collection. Crafted from leather this Dior bag features a red Cannage exterior and a chain...
Dior Beige Cannage Leather Miss Dior Medium Flap Bag
By Christian Dior
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
Flap bags like this Miss Dior will never go out of style. Crafted from leather, this Dior bag features a beige Cannage quilted exterior and a chain-link strap. The front flap has a g...
Dior Black Cannage Leather Large Miss Dior Flap Bag
By Christian Dior
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
Flap bags like this Miss Dior will never go out of style. Crafted from leather, this Dior bag features a black exterior with the signature Cannage quilted exterior and a chain-link s...
Dior Black Cannage Leather Large Miss Dior Flap Bag
By Christian Dior
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
Flap bags like this Miss Dior hold the promise of enduring style to be part of your forever collection. Crafted from leather, this Dior bag features a black Cannage quilted exterior ...
Dior Black Cannage Leather Medium Miss Dior Flap Bag
By Christian Dior
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
Flap bags like this Miss Dior hold the promise of enduring style, to be part of your forever collection. Crafted from leather, this Dior bag features a black Cannage quilted exterior...
Dior Black Cannage Leather Medium Miss Dior Flap Bag
By Christian Dior
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
Flap bags like this Miss Dior hold the promise of enduring style, to be part of your forever collection. Crafted from leather, this Dior bag features a black Cannage quilted exterior...
Dior Beige Cannage Leather Miss Dior Medium Flap Bag
By Christian Dior
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
Flap bags like this Miss Dior will never go out of style. Crafted from leather, this Dior bag features a beige Cannage quilted exterior and a chain-link strap. The front flap has a g...
Dior Beige Cannage Leather Large Miss Dior Flap Bag
By Christian Dior
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
Flap bags like this Miss Dior will never go out of style. Crafted from leather, this Dior bag features a beige Cannage exterior and a chain strap. The front flap has a gold-tone lock...
Dior Beige Cannage Leather Large Miss Dior Flap Bag
By Christian Dior
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
Flap bags like this Miss Dior will never go out of style. Crafted from leather, this Dior bag features a beige Cannage exterior and a chain strap. The front flap has a gold-tone lock...
Dior Pink Cannage Leather Medium Miss Dior Flap Bag
By Christian Dior
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
Flap bags like this Miss Dior hold the promise of enduring style, to be part of your forever collection. Crafted from leather, this Dior bag features a pink Cannage quilted exterior ...
Dior Pink Cannage Leather Medium Miss Dior Flap Bag
By Christian Dior
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
Flap bags like this Miss Dior hold the promise of enduring style, to be part of your forever collection. Crafted from leather, this Dior bag features a pink Cannage quilted exterior ...
Dior Black Cannage Leather Large Miss Dior Flap Bag
By Christian Dior
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
Flap bags like this Miss Dior hold the promise of enduring style, to be part of your forever collection. Crafted from leather, this Dior bag features a black Cannage quilted exterior...
Dior Black Cannage Leather Large Miss Dior Flap Bag
By Christian Dior
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
Flap bags like this Miss Dior hold the promise of enduring style, to be part of your forever collection. Crafted from leather, this Dior bag features a black Cannage quilted exterior...
Dior Black Cannage Leather Large Miss Dior Flap Bag
By Christian Dior
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
Flap bags like this Miss Dior will never go out of style. Crafted from leather, this Dior bag features a black exterior with the signature Cannage quilted exterior and a chain-link s...
Dior Beige Cannage Leather Large Miss Dior Flap Bag
By Christian Dior
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
Miss Dior is inspired by the original 1947 haute couture collection made by Dior himself, and the name comes from the original fragrance line. This flap bag is made of leather in a b...
Dior Cream Cannage Leather Small Miss Dior Flap Bag
By Christian Dior
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
This Miss Dior bag from the House of Dior, with its minimalist and chic design, will definitely be a favorite. It is made from cream Cannage leather, with a silver-toned lock closure...
Dior Black Quilted Leather Large Miss Dior Flap Bag
By Christian Dior
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
Chanel's Flap bags are iconic and noteworthy in the history of fashion. Hence, this one is a buy that is worth every bit of your splurge. Exquisitely crafted, it bears the signature ...
Dior Gold/Beige Tweed Medium Miss Dior Flap Bag
By Christian Dior
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
Ensure your day's essentials are in order and your outfit is complete with this Dior flap bag. Crafted using the best materials, the bag carries the maison's signature of artful craf...
Dior Beige Cannage Leather Large Miss Dior Flap Bag
By Christian Dior
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
Flap bags like this one will never go out of style. It features a well-designed exterior and the front flap opens to an interior with enough space to keep your daily essentials. This...
Dior Black Cannage Leather Large Miss Dior Flap Bag
By Christian Dior
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
Flap bags like this Miss Dior will never go out of style. Crafted from leather, this Dior flap bag features a black Cannage exterior and a chain strap. The front flap has a Dior lock...
Dior Blue Cannage Leather Small Miss Dior Flap Bag
By Christian Dior
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
Designer bags are ideal companions for ample occasions! Here we have a fashion-meets-functionality piece crafted with precision. It has been equipped with a well-sized interior that ...
Christian Dior Miss Dior Flap Bag Ombre Python Medium
By Christian Dior
Located in NY, NY
This authentic Christian Dior Miss Dior Flap Bag Ombre Python Medium showcases a fun and chic design made for modern fashionistas. Crafted from genuine pink and purple ombre python s...
Christian Dior Miss Dior Flap Bag Cannage Quilt Lambskin Medium
By Christian Dior
Located in NY, NY
This Christian Dior Miss Dior Flap Bag Cannage Quilt Lambskin Medium, crafted in pink quilted lambskin leather, features a chain link strap, front flap with push-lock closure, and si...
Dior Orange Cannage Leather Miss Dior Flap Continental Wallet
By Christian Dior
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
Creations like this Miss Dior wallet will never go out of style. Crafted from quality leather, this Dior wallet features an orange Cannage exterior. The front flap has a Dior lock th...
Christian Dior Miss Dior Flap Bag Cannage Quilt Lambskin Medium
By Christian Dior
Located in NY, NY
This Christian Dior Miss Dior Flap Bag Cannage Quilt Lambskin Medium, crafted in purple cannage quilted lambskin leather, features a chain link strap, front flap with push-lock closu...
Dior Red Cannage Quilted Leather Large Miss Dior Flap Bag
By Christian Dior
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
Flap bags like this Miss Dior will never go out of style. Crafted from leather, this Dior flap bag features a red Cannage exterior and a chain strap. The front flap has a Dior lock t...
Dior Red Cannage Quilted Leather Large Miss Dior Flap Bag
By Christian Dior
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
Flap bags like this Miss Dior will never go out of style. Crafted from leather, this Dior flap bag features a red Cannage exterior and a chain strap. The front flap has a Dior lock t...
Dior Black Cannage Patent Leather Small Miss Dior Flap Bag
By Christian Dior
Located in Dubai, Al Qouz 2
Flap bags like this Miss Dior will never go out of style. Crafted from patent leather, this Dior flap bag features a black Cannage exterior and a chain strap. The front flap has a Di...
Printed velvet and leather "Tribeca" bag with bamboo chain GUCCI
By Gucci, Tom Ford for Gucci
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Printed velvet and leather "Tribeca" bag with bamboo chain Snap closure under the flap. Jewellery dragon buckle with rhinestone and pearl embellishment on the top of the flap. Burgun...
$7,257
H 4.34 in W 8.67 in D 6.7 in
Christian Dior Blue Oblique Monogram Canvas & Calfskin Leather Jewellery Case
By Christian Dior
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Christian Dior Blue Oblique Monogram Canvas & Calfskin Leather Jewellery Case Product Details Xupes Ref: AA0091 Brand: Christian Dior Model: Jewellery Case Type: Jewellery Case, Tra...
2000s Gucci by Tom Ford Mini Reins Purple Lizard Silk Satin Rhinestone Thong Bag
By Tom Ford for Gucci, Gucci
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Presenting a rare purple silk, rhinestone, and karung snakeskin mini reins bag by Tom Ford for Gucci. This early 2000's bag features a 'GG' accent at the front meant to emulate Ford'...
UNWORN Gucci by Tom Ford Black Dragon Pearl Jeweled Mink Fur Evening Bag Clutch
By Gucci, Tom Ford for Gucci
Located in Switzerland, CH
EXTREMELY RARE GUCCI BY TOM FORD GORGEOUS FUR EVENING BAG WITH STUNNING JEWELED DRAGON DETAIL DETAILS: A GUCCI signature piece that will last you for many years From one of GUCC...
S/S 2004 Gucci by Tom Ford Yellow Alligator Serpent Horsebit Small Shoulder Bag
By Tom Ford for Gucci, Gucci
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This Gucci by Tom Ford small shoulder bag from Spring/Summer 2004 is crafted from GG canvas with genuine alligator leather accents in bold yellow and purple tones. Multiple bags and ...
Christian Dior by John Galliano 2002 Matte Python Skin Saddle Bag & Mirror
By Christian Dior, John Galliano for Christian Dior
Located in Switzerland, CH
A rare Christian Dior mini evening saddle bag designed by John Galliano From a collectable, limited edition in 2002 Offered only in Dior flagship stores to a limited clientele Get th...
RARE Gucci by Tom Ford S/S 2003 Pink Embroidered Kimono Clutch Bag Purse
By Tom Ford for Gucci, Gucci
Located in Switzerland, CH
EXTREMELY RARE „KIMONO“ Bag by TOM FORD for GUCCI SS 2003 Very rare and exclusive GUCCI signature piece Collector's Item! Pink frayed, layered silk Black hand-embroidery Mat black t...
$2,791Sale Price|35% Off
$4295 New Gucci Python Bamboo Medium Daily Bag Cruise 2015
By Gucci
Located in Conroe, TX
Brand New with Tags Cruise 2015 Gucci $4295 Neutral Python Silver-Tone Hardware Bamboo & Leather Trim Single Adjustable Shoulder Strap Tassel Accents Leather Lining & Four Interior P...
Prada Straw Snake Leather Bag
By Prada
Located in Bressanone, Trentino-Alto Adige
Prada shoulder bag in green straw and snake leather, pink leather interior and silver hardware. Condition: Really good. Packing/accessories: Dustbag, authenticity card. Measuremen...
S/S 2004 Gucci by Tom Ford Green Crocodile Rhinestone GG Horsebit Shoulder Bag
By Tom Ford for Gucci, Gucci
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Tom Ford designed this medium-sized Gucci shoulder bag featuring the 'GG' print canvas for his Spring/Summer 2004 collection. Variations of this design motif debuted on the runway, s...
$2,872Sale Price|20% Off
Lady Dior Medium Handbag Pearlescent Pink Cannage Leather Gold Hardware
By Christian Dior
Located in AUBERVILLIERS, FR
Lady Dior Medium Handbag Pearlescent Pink Cannage Leather Gold Hardware These are professional photos of the actual bag . The Lady Dior bag is an epitome of elegance and beauty. Ac...
CELINE Rare Exotic Pink „Barbie“ Ostrich Skin Boogie Bag by Michael Kors 2000s
By Celine, Michael Kors
Located in Switzerland, CH
A classy CELINE signature piece that will last you for many years Timeless classic - a true beauty! The Boogie bag was created by Michael Kors in the early 2000s while he was designe...
$3,039Sale Price|20% Off
UNWORN Brown Gucci Ostrich Bamboo Detail Shoulder Bag - Full Set
By Gucci
Located in Switzerland, CH
A GUCCI signature piece that will last you for many years Timeless classic - a true beauty! Very rare item - only very few pieces were made and sold in selected boutiques Made of rea...
Rare Fendi crocodile skin iconic vintage baguette bag
By Fendi, Karl Lagerfeld for Fendi
Located in NICE, FR
New in Nice.vintage.darling: Rare exceptional iconic Fendi Baguette bag in crocodile skin from the beginning of the 2000’s. Exterior: crocodile porosus skin, interior: The measureme...
Prada Purple Pony Hair Bag
By Prada
Located in Bressanone, Trentino-Alto Adige
Prada bag chain handle, in purple pony-style leather and black silk. Condition: Really good. Packing/accessories: Dustbag. Measurements: 27cm x 11cm x 5cm
Hermes Kelly Retourne 35 Sanguine Matte Alligator Bag with Palladium Hardware
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers a rare Hermes Retourne 35 Kelly bag featured in Sanguine Matte Alligator. Warm clay red with orange undertone makes this a fabulous neural year round Hermes Kell...
When Christian Dior launched his couture house, in 1946, he wanted nothing less than to make “an elegant woman more beautiful and a beautiful woman more elegant.” He succeeded, and in doing so the visionary designer altered the landscape of 20th century fashion. Vintage Dior bags, shoes, evening dresses, shirts and other garments and accessories are known today for their feminine and sophisticated sensibility.
Dior was born in Granville, on the Normandy coast, in 1905. His prosperous haute bourgeois parents wanted him to become a diplomat despite his interest in art and architecture. However, they agreed to bankroll an art gallery, which Dior opened in 1928 in Paris with a friend.
This was the start of Dior’s rise in the city’s creative milieu, where he befriended Pablo Picasso and Jean Cocteau. After seven years as an art dealer, Dior retrained as a fashion illustrator, eventually landing a job as a fashion designer for Robert Piguet, and in 1941, following a year of military service, he joined the house of Lucien Lelong. Just five years later, with the backing of industrialist Marcel Boussac, the ascendant Dior established his own fashion house, at 30 avenue Montaigne in Paris.
Just two years after the end of World War II, the fashion crowd and the moribund haute couture industry were yearning, comme tout Paris, for security and prosperity, desperate to discard the drab, sexless, utilitarian garb imposed by wartime deprivation. They needed to dream anew.
And Dior delivered: He designed a collection for a bright, optimistic future. “It’s quite a revolution, dear Christian!” exclaimed Carmel Snow, the prescient American editor-in-chief of Harper’s Bazaar, famously proclaiming, “Your dresses have such a new look.” The press ran with the description, christening Dior’s debut Spring/Summer haute couture collection the New Look. “God help those who bought before they saw Dior,” said Snow. “This changes everything.”
Dior’s collection definitively declared that opulence, luxury and femininity were in. His skirts could have 40-meter-circumference hems, and outfits could weigh up to 60 pounds. They were cut and shaped like architecture, on strong foundations that molded women and “freed them from nature,” Dior said. Rather than rationing, his ladies wanted reams of fabric and 19-inch waists enforced by wire corsets, and the fashion world concurred. The debut got a standing ovation.
In the subsequent decade, Paris ruled as the undisputed fashion capital of the world, and Christian Dior reigned as its king. With the luxuriously full skirts of his New Look, suits and his drop-dead gorgeous couture dresses and ball gowns worthy of any princess, Dior gave women the gift of glamour they’d lost in the miserable years of war.
On 1stDibs, find an exquisite range of vintage Christian Dior clothing, jewelry, handbags and other items.
Ever since we’ve needed an accessory to carry our personal items when we’re on the go, shoulder bags have proven indispensable. Today, vintage and designer shoulder bags are such a treasured part of fashion history that they even get their own museum exhibitions. And while lovers of luxury handbags and purses are savvier now and have a wider range of shopping options, classics created by brands such as Louis Vuitton, Dior and Balenciaga still rule.
Prior to bags becoming an essential piece of any ensemble for any gender, women wore pockets strung on ribbons as garments that were separate from their gowns, accessible by openings in the fabric. Small handbags and handheld purses were developed before the accessory gained importance as functional and fashionable. Most had more in common with wallets than anything else.
While the bags of the 16th century warranted ornament, such as exteriors embroidered with silver-gilt thread and beads, it wasn’t until the late 18th century and early 19th century that the design and craft of bags had really broadened. Handheld purses were finished with details that were meant to garner attention, and bags were fitted with shoulder straps. A stylish shoulder bag meant that women could tote jewelry, cash and perhaps a decorative snuff box full of tobacco to an evening ball across town.
The early 1900s saw the introduction of gold and silver minaudières. The patenting of these compact bejeweled clutches has been attributed to revered French jewelry house Van Cleef & Arpels, and today they remain a fashion favorite. One of Judith Leiber’s innovative minaudières even earned a role in the movie Sex and the City.
A luxury shoulder bag is a work of art with a long, fascinating origin story, and entire brands and fashion lines have emerged around creating the perfect versions of shoulder bags and top-handle bags. For example, the iconic Hermès Kelly bag, which was popularized by actress Grace Kelly, is a widely coveted, collected and often faked entry from the handbag hall of fame. And while vintage Gucci tote bags have their own dedicated fan base, collectors are likely familiar with the Dionysus, a pared-down Gucci shoulder bag that manages to make a substantial statement anyway.
Embrace a classic look with a vintage shoulder bag designed by Chanel, Givenchy or Fendi — find yours on 1stDibs today.