1970
The decade of bad taste
Fashion in the 1970s was colorful and varied. Designers drew inspiration from various ethnicities: Yves Saint Laurent showcased Romanesque models, while oriental styles emerged in London. In United States Of America, suede, bangs, and pearls were popular.
Glam rock, emphasizing the performer’s appearance, was born. David Bowie, with his iconic androgynous style, led the trend. Disco fashion included satin micro shorts, deep necklines, and reflective fabrics.
Major fashion houses like Chanel, Gucci, and Prada launched handbags matching their collections. These bags were colorful, textured, and featured many zippers, designed for independent and confident women.
“Beauty knows no boundaries, design no saturation point”.
— Salvatore Ferragamo
1980
The decade of the Yuppies
In the 1980s, rearmament slowed, and the Cold War began to fade. Computers and electronics became integral to daily life, with CDs, VHS devices, and personal computers in homes. The hippie style gave way to yuppies, who pursued wealth and power, showcasing their success. Michael Jackson became a pop icon, and designers like Versace, Galliano, and Gaultier turned into superstars, influencing global fashion with luxurious styles.
The economic boom and media shaped trends, popularizing oversized blazers, pastel shades, high-waisted jeans, and brightly colored leggings. Bags became crucial fashion accessories, with high-quality brand names being particularly coveted.
“I made crazy bags, less crazy and very crazy. There has to be something weird.”
— Judith Leiber
The Picasso of handbags
Judith Leiber grew up in Budapest, where she graduated as a bag maker. After World War II, she emigrated to the United States. Her first job at a cheap bag factory left the highly ambitious designer feeling unfulfilled. She changed jobs several times before founding her own company in 1963.
Leiber’s femininely sleek bags in satin and patent leather are small pieces of art. Her distinctive style was founded by chance: while attempting to hide errors with rhinestones in her gold-embellished evening bag, she accidentally created her immensely popular chained bag, the Chatelain (=the castle’s lady). Leiber was interested in distinctive shapes, and her production is rich in animals, fruits, flowers and pastries embellished with Swarovski crystals. A little bag inspired by Fabérge’s Easter egg has been popular among many of the world’s biggest stars. During her long career, Judith Leiber designed over 3,000 different handbags by 1998. The brand still amazes with new designs.