HISTORY OF VINTAGE HANDBAG The Birth of the Case Bag with Decorative Elements
HISTORY OF VINTAGE HANDBAG
The Birth of the Case Bag with Decorative Elements
1930s
Decorative Elements
“Odeon” Style, the result of Bauhaus modernism meeting Art Deco and Hollywood,
Permeated every aspect of decoration, from handbags to architecture.
The Minaudiere – Case Bag
A minaudiere is a small case that combines both handbag and powder compact. The first minaudiere was reportedly invented in 1933 by the Paris jeweler Charles Arpel, of Van Cleef & Arpels, after noting that the socialite Florence Jay Goul carried her make up and lighter in a metal Lucky Strike cigarette case.
According to the fashion historian Claire Wilcox, Alfred Van Cleef patented the name as a tribute to his wife, Estelle, who had a tendency to minauder, or simper and charm. The small, usually rectangular metal box of the minsudiere was designed to be held in the hand, with compartments for powder, rouge, lipstick and mirror, and cigarettes and lighter.
The cases were exquisitely crafted in silver or gold and set with precious stones, or were a perfect example of the enameller’s art.
The device was at first only available from Asprey’s in England, but as its popularity increased, other jewelers were quick to copy the idea.
Many designers since have explored the concept, but one in particular is associated with whimsical, very luxurious minaudieres: Judith Leiber, who produced her glitzy evening bags from the late 1960s.
As a style icon and First Lady of America during her husband’s presidency, Jackie Kennedy popularized the use of the minaudiere once again when she took to using it as an evening bag, holding the small square box in the palm of her hand on formal occasions.