Saturday, December 29, 2012

The Sparkle and Shine of Judith Leiber


Are you familiar with the stunning little sparkling minaudieres, from Judith Leiber? Talk about works of art! When shopping for Christmas in King of Prussia, I was in Neiman Marcus where they have quite the line of Judith Leibers and you know shine and sparkle will distract me!


How perfect for the stunning piece if your going out on New Years Eve?????


Judith Leiber who was born in 1921 in Budapest,Hungary is a designer of stunning luxury handbags, and was the first woman to join the handbag-makers guild in Budapest. A Jew, she escaped the Holocaust of World War II to the safety of the Swiss house when her father was able to obtain a Swiss schutzpass, a document that gave the bearer safe passage. She is raised cultured to the arts, opera, and beautiful handbags, that her family collected. Later Judith decides to join the Hungarian Handbag Guild as an apprentice and masters the whole craft, designing a luxury handbag from start to finish, becoming the first female artisan in the guild.

 
In 1947 she meets the love of her life Gerson Leiber, who is also a aspiring artist. Gerson's artistry and business drive are the force to have Judith create her own line of luxury accessories and they set sale for Brooklyn New York.


Neiman Marcus commissions Judith's employer Nettle Rosenstein,creator of the fist little black dress, to design a dress for First Lady Mame Eisenhower's Inauguration Ball outfit, and a handbag designed by Leiber, who bags would go on to graced the arms of nearly every First Lady on inauguration day from Mamie Eisenhower to Laura Bush. Her name may not be as recognizable as Louis Vuitton and Giorgio Armani, but her bags have been staples of fashion and pop culture for decades. Her distinctive creations are a regular presence at A-List red carpet events, appear in movies and television shows.


In 1966 she and her husband decide to open their own shops and create her own line. They open their first office and showroom on Madison Avenue, to sell Judith's eponymous line of impeccable handbags made in skins of, karung, alligator and lizard. Later in 1966, the designers iconic minaudiere is created by a beautiful mistake. Judith orders the mini metal handbags known as minaudieres from Italy, and they arrive dented. Not wanting them to go to waste, she starts to cover them with Austrian crystals Gerson had purchased. The outcome is a radiant work of art. The crystal minaudiere revolutionizes the world of luxury handbags, and put Judith on the map for as a artist of stunning handbags.


In 1998 Judith Leiber retires, with Gerson, after leaving her mark in the fashion industry. Judith has since embarked on various projects, including the creation of the Judith Leiber Museum and Gardens in East Hampton, along with supporting her various philanthropic efforts that are dear to her heart.

 
This woman is just amazing! Now at 90 she is still going strong. Now which one to get, they all are so incredible. But I must save first as most of these run from $1,500 to probably around $6,000! That's alot of Hendricks my friends! 

22 comments:

  1. Anonymous12/29/2012

    How much for the kitty bag? It's cute!

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    Replies
    1. I believe the Cat clutch goes for around $5,000 although on Ebay you can get it for $1,500 or 2,000 if your in luck!

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  2. I too have been in love with these mini beaded bags. It would be an honor to carry one on New Years Eve!

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  3. What a great post for the New Year coming. I love Judith Leiber's work. My mother has one that will come to me one day. Which she keeps very protected. I love the dogs she has done, but they are all amazing. Very nice history and pictures of some of her best pieces.

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    1. You lucky bird you. A treasure for sure! They are becoming very popular with collectors.

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  4. These minaudiere animal bags are stunning! This was a great post to write! I wish they were in my budget.....

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  5. I have always loved the Judith Leiber miniaudieres. I don't know why I am so nuts about them. I think it is because they represent an era in bag history and the animal designs appeal to the kid in us all. I can't say I like the owl design ! LOL But if someone gave you a dachshund or a peacock, you'd have to feel delighted ! Thanks for showing all these Lieber designs - it's been a real treat.

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  6. I have been past her place in Beverly Hills, and remember looking in the window to see some of her creations. Had no idea they were handbags, that is amazing.

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  7. They would definitely make a statement!

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  8. I hate Neimans, but I must admit have been lured to the Leiber shop when cutting through the store. They are quite eye catching and my first time to see them.

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  9. These things are supposed to be on dining table for just in a showcase. I dont think people can use them well, they can carry them, but they look kinda funny to carry around when u have other choices. And can you put anything in them?

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    1. I would gladly display any of these as collectors pieces, they are just so stunning, but would gladly carry them also, but as a guy, that would get some looks!

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  10. wow these are all gorgeous

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  11. I love the lion out of those all these, but I am somewhere in the middle of the common opinion. Yes, that is a huge chunk of money to spend on a sparkly clutch, but you have to take in the artistry of the pieces. They are gorgeous. No one can deny that.. But are they worth it? Not for me.. I would rather look at them on my computer screen for free..

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  12. If I had the kind of money it would take to buy that bird or peacock clutch, I would be at the store RIGHT NOW! What a great story she has too.

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  13. WOW! I'd go the poodle.


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  14. At these prices, if you rub the Genie's Lantern, does a genie grant you three wishes?

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  15. Just this season, we had a champagne reception after a symphony performance and one of the patrons had one of these bags, a red cardinal. It was very much a statement.

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  16. True works of art.
    Naturally, I want the Cat.
    Or the Lion.

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Go ahead darling, tell me something fabulous!