New York City’s maverick handbag designer, the Brazilian-born Carlos Falchi, began his multibillion-dollar accessories brand in the bathtub of his Greenwich Village apartment.
In the 1960s, Falchi started by making leather clothing — bleaching snakeskin in his tub — for rock stars and jazz artists like Mick Jagger, Tina Turner and Miles Davis. But when he turned his attention to handbags, persuaded by Geraldine Stultz, the president of Henri Bendel, he found his true calling.
In a world flush with iconic “It” handbags, Falchi’s bags are distinctive and eye-catching, with soft, pliable forms, dazzling patchwork designs and dyed skins from exotic animals such as alligators, frogs, buffalo and water snakes. Even though he was a self-taught artisan, Falchi managed to reinvent the approach that yields the stiff, formal structure typically associated with the upright handbags of European luxury houses. His groundbreaking and oft-imitated Buffalo bag, an unconstructed and lightweight satchel made from a single skin with only two seams and a gathered front, went on to garner universal success for the craftsman, with Women’s Wear Daily deeming it “the most copied bag in the industry.” For his celebrated slouchy bag, Falchi was inspired by the draping techniques he learned while attending art school in Japan. In 1983, he won a Coty American Fashion Critics Award for the accessory.
Falchi made his clutches, shoulder bags and top-handled bags by hand in his New York City atelier, and the designer’s work garnered praise from fashion legends such as Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Barbra Streisand and Sarah Jessica Parker. In the years leading up to his death in 2015, Falchi began to sell inexpensive versions of his handbags on the Home Shopping Channel. A sampling of his work is held today in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Find a range of vintage Carlos Falchi handbags and purses on 1stDibs.
Carlos Falchi Hieroglyph Style Cabochon Gold-Tone Necklace
By Carlos Falchi
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
The Carlos Falchi Hieroglyph Style Carbochon Gold-Tone Necklace is a striking statement piece that seamlessly combines artistic craftsmanship with bold design. Crafted in a luxurious...
18 Karat White Gold and Diamond Necklace with a Heart Motif on Chain
Located in Honolulu, HI
Beautiful diamond neckalce with drop heart motif in 18k white gold. This gorgeous necklace features 17 round diamonds bezel set at the center of a chain with a heart shape drop pendant pave set with 6 round diamonds. The diamond section is hinged between bezels for flexibility. A total of 24 round brilliant cut diamonds, G - H in color and SI in clarity totaling approximately 0.20 carat. The necklace is 15.50 inch long. The chain is cable link equipped wuth a lobster clasp. This gorgeous daimond necklace...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Diamond Ladybug Necklace in 14k White Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Item Specifications: Necklace Metal: 14k White Gold Total Weight: 3.7 Grams Chain Length: 16" Pendant Measurements: 11 mm x 10 mm Diamond Carat Weight: 0.05 carats Stamped: "14...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Single Large Pearl Omega Chain Necklace 14K White Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Item Specifications: Necklace Metal: 14k White Gold Total Weight: 7.8 Grams Necklace Length: 17" Pearl Type: Cultured Pearl Bead Diameter : 13.5 mm Stamped: "14KT" "Indonesia...
Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
Diamond Hearts Drop Necklace in 14k White Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Item Specifications: Style: Diamond Heart Drop Necklace Necklace Metal: 14k White Gold Total Weight: 19.2 Grams Chain Length: 17" Pe...
Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold
Neck Collar Choker Necklace Star Blue Sapphire Diamond J Dauphin
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Star Choker Torque Necklace Black Diamond Blue Sapphire White Diamond Celestial Jewelry 14k Gold Plated Designer J DAUPHIN Handcrafted in a heavy 14k gold finish over brass, this rigid open neck torque features an asymmetrical celestial composition of star motifs. One side presents three star motifs set with black diamonds, balanced on the opposite side by a single star detailed with blue sapphire and white diamonds, drawing from configurations of 19th-century devotional jewelry. The star motifs are a symbol of balance, guidance, and orientation, representing the relationship between the earthly and the celestial. Blue sapphires represent strength and resilience, while white and black diamonds represent clarity and depth. The gold-finished collar references the craft of devotional jewelry, transforming this layout into a tool for modern life. Established in 2006 by Johanna DAUPHIN, the brand is built on a foundation of craftsmanship developed during her work as a designer at Fendi and Tod’s in Italy. Her years living and creating across Italy, Paris, New York, and Los Angeles have shaped the brand’s perspective. The designer has earned recognition, with collections carried in department stores. Known for creating pieces and styling rockstars in the music industry, her work balances luxury with execution. Materials: 14k gold over brass, blue sapphire, black diamonds, and white diamonds Design: Rigid open collar neck torque with an asymmetrical star design Style: 14k gold star torque necklace, diamond celestial neck bangle, blue sapphire star pendant...
Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Brass
Chunky Chain Choker Necklace 14k Gold Plated Silver
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Chunky Chain Choker Necklace 14k Gold Plated Silver French Antique Chain Choker 14k Gold Plated Silver Designer: J Dauphin The French Antique-Inspired Chain is a structural stateme...
14k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
Victorian Locket Pendant Necklace Black Enamel Solid Gold Plated Silver Chain
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Victorian Black Enamel Locket Necklace possibly in silver - 14k Gold Plated Sterling Silver Chain Designer: J Dauphin This necklace centers on an authentic 19th-century Victorian bl...
14k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver, Enamel
Pink Opal Necklace Round Bead Choker 15 Inch J Dauphin
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pink Opal Round Bead Choker Necklace 15 Inch Designer J DAUPHIN This choker necklace is constructed from round pink opal beads measuring 38 cm (15 inches) in length. Pink opal is...
Opal
Black Freshwater Pearls Necklace Choker J Dauphin
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Black Pearl Necklace Choker Gold Plated Clasp Choker Designer: J DAUPHIN The Black Pearl Necklace is a single strand of dark grey black freshwater pearls, each pearl hand knotted o...
Pearl, Black Pearl, Freshwater Pearl
Choker Necklace Shark Tooth Black Enamel Aquamarine Gold Plated J Dauphin
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
14k Gold Plated Shark Tooth Pendant Necklace Aquamarine Black Enamel Choker Designer J DAUPHIN This handcrafted structural necklace is made of 14k gold plated brass. The design fea...
Gold, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Brass, Enamel
Rose Necklace Flower Chunky Choker Chain J Dauphin
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
14k Gold Plated Sculpted Rose Pendant Statement Link Chain Necklace Designer J DAUPHIN Collection: Alchemia The Rose Pendant Necklace is a structural statement piece handcrafted in...
14k Gold, Gold Plate, Brass, Bronze
John Hardy Dot Collection Necklace, Sterling Silver and 18 Karat Yellow Gold
By John Hardy
Located in Honolulu, HI
John Hardy Dot necklace in Sterling Silver & 18K yellow gold. This gorgeous John Hardy necklace is beautifully crafted in 6 oval sections in st...
18k Gold, Sterling Silver