Gucci Large Aphrodite Canvas and Leather Shoulder Bag
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Geneva, CH
- Reference Number:
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Geneva, Switzerland
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Chanel 2.55 Double Flap Grey Aged Calfskin Maxi BagBy ChanelLocated in Geneva, CHThis gorgeous pre-owned Chanel 2.55 Classic Doubleflap Maxi Bag - 5 pockets is the most iconic handbag in the fashion world is crafted in a gorgeous dark grey aged quilted calfskin l...Category
2010s French Shoulder Bags
- Tom Ford Black Quilted Nylon Puffy Alix BagBy Tom FordLocated in Geneva, CHThis pre-owned new quilted puffy bag is part of the Alix collection. It is crafted in black nylon with a quilted padded finish. The triming is made of black...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoulder Bags
- Hermès Limited Edition Veau Doblis Swift Anate Trim II BagBy HermèsLocated in Geneva, CHThis pre-owned but new Veau Doblis Swift Anate Trim II 31 in Marron Glace and Sesame is a Limited Edition from the house of Hermès. It is crafted of suede in a delicate marron glacé ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Shoulder Bags
- Chanel Camel Quilted Shinny Calfskin Large Chanel 22 BagBy ChanelLocated in Geneva, CHNew pre-owned Chanel 22 bag crafted in a light and supple shinny quilted calfskin leather. It features a metal chain interlaced with leather and a “CHANE...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoulder Bags
- Chanel Black and White Tweed Chanel 19 Flap BagBy ChanelLocated in Geneva, CHThis pre-owned great Chanel 19 flap bag is crafted in black quilted tweed with a diamond-shaped white pattern. It features a 10cms (approx. 3.9") gold tone chain top handle, a 47cms...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoulder Bags
- Chanel Blue Denim Embossed Timeless CC Flap BagBy ChanelLocated in Geneva, CHThis pre-owned denim embossed Timeless CC Flap bag from the house of Chanel is in perfect condition. It is crafted of fadded blue denim. It features a silver chain denim-threaded sho...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Shoulder Bags
- Louis Vuitton Blue Escale Monogram Coated Canvas & Blue Calfskin Leather NéoNoéBy Louis VuittonLocated in Bishop's Stortford, HertfordshireLouis Vuitton Blue Escale Monogram Coated Canvas & Blue Calfskin Leather NéoNoé MM Brand- Louis Vuitton Model- NéoNoé MM Product Type- Shoulder Serial Number- SP**** Age- Circa 2020...Category
2010s French Structured Shoulder Bags
- Bottega Veneta Dustry Rose Lambskin Small Shoulder Bag w/ Suede LiningBy Bottega VenetaLocated in West Palm Beach, FLBottega Veneta Dustry Rose Lambskin Small Shoulder Bag w/ Suede Lining. This lovely bag is in good condition with some wear consistent with its age and a zipper that is worn. It fe...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoulder Bags
- Jimmy Choo Metallic Large Hobo ToteBy Jimmy ChooLocated in West Palm Beach, FLJimmy Choo Metallic Large Hobo Tote has a bronze/gold tone to it. The leather has that distressed look to it. The top of the bag has a V Shaped dual zip closure with a hanging leathe...Category
2010s Italian Hobo Bags
- Hermes Constance 18 Bag Black Matte Alligator Gold Hardware and MirrorBy HermèsLocated in Miami, FLMightychic offers an Hermes 18 Constance bag featured in Black Matte Alligator. Removeable mirror with alligator tab. Rich with Gold hardware. The ef...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags
- Dior Diorama MIni White Leather BagBy Christian DiorLocated in Torre Del Greco, ITMini shoulder bag by Dior, model Diorama, made of white leather with silver hardware embellished with silver sequins. Equipped with a flap closure with button, internally lined in w...Category
2010s French Shoulder Bags
- Louis Vuitton Lockme Bicor Black WhiteBy Louis VuittonLocated in Torre Del Greco, ITLouis Vuitton signed bag, Lockme model, made of black and white two -tone leather with silver hardware. Equipped with a header with interlocking, internamnete covered in black suede,...Category
2010s 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.