The Women Behind the Bags
Hindman is pleased to present our Luxe Holiday auction this December 1st. Featuring a single-owner suite of Dior handbags, including a selection of the house’s rarest output by John Galliano, Raf Simons and Maria Grazia Chiuri, this auction is brimming with designer gems for any collection. With selections from Dior, Chanel, Hermès and Judith Leiber to name a few, the luxury handbags showcased in this sale were inspired by and are designed by powerhouse women in the industry. Join us as we explore the myriad of muses behind some of the most iconic bags of the 20th and 21st centuries.
Princess Diana and the Lady Dior Bag
The Dior Lady Bag first debuted in 1995 as the Chouchou bag, and was presented to Princess Diana by Bernadette Chirac, then-First Lady of France. It was renamed in 1996 to honor the late princess. It was launched during Gianfranco Ferré’s tenure using the ‘cannage’ pattern inspired by the cane-backed chairs favored by Christian Dior in his salons. The bag has since been canonized as a house staple, reinvented each season by successive creative directors.
Diana’s favorite handbag, this purse would frequently be seen carried by this member of the British Royal family and most recently was featured in the smash hit tv show The Crown on Netflix. The Lady Dior bag honors the timeless style of Diana with its classic silhouette and is the hallmark of this year’s Luxe Holiday auction.
Elizabeth Taylor and Judith Leiber
Judith Leiber, the first woman member of the Hungarian Handbag Guild, fled Nazi occupation with her family during World War II and eventually went on to establish her own line in 1963. Expertly designed and flawlessly handcrafted, her popular handbags are made with Swarovski crystal and have gained international acclaim. Leiber’s quirky and fun handbags have been sported by celebrities like the Kardashians, Lupita Nyong’o and Beyonce. With 50 to choose from at Hindman, these novelty purses offer the collector an opportunity to stand out in the crowd.
Adding to the star power in this auction, lots 342, 354, 355, and 356 feature selections from Elizabeth Taylor’s handbag collection. An icon of the silver screen, Taylor’s fashion sense and lavish lifestyle allowed her to amass an impressive collection of couture and luxury goods throughout her lifetime. Her commitment to glamour is seen in the wonderful handbags showcased in this sale, which include Judith Leiber and Fendi.
Grace Kelly and the Hermès Kelly Bag
Highly prestigious and exclusive, the Hermès Kelly bag was originally designed in the 1930s by Robert Dumas. The handbag features a trapezoid shape with two triangular gussets, a cutout flap, and a handle with two side straps and was made famous by Grace Kelly, Princess of Monaco. Intended as a functional bag, the Kelly was created for the independent, energetic women of the time. Its classic silhouette has made it one of the most sought-after bags of our modern era alongside its sister handbag, seen above, the Birkin. Worn by Kelly until her death in 1982, this handbag (lots 199, 200, 201, 202) is a staple for any luxe collector who wants to own a piece of history.