Hungarian couture handbag designer Judith Leiber is best known for her signature crystal covered minaudieres, small ornamental cases, often in the shapes of animals or fruits. Her purses are so great that some pieces are even included in the permanent collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Smithsonian!
Needless to say, Judith Leiber’s crystal covered evening bags are considered to be the best couture bags ever, and below you will see why:
15. Windflower Bag
Price: $4,595 at Judithleiber
This is a crystal bag that is really unique. It has sculpted petals and gold accent that is in the center. To the side, there is a push down snap so that you can close it. This will fit in with many of your outfits and will give it a unique look as you are carrying it around.
14. Scarlet Bag
Price: $5,695 at Judithleiber
I found this one really unique as it is in the parrot shape. It has wonderfully sculpted tail and wing feathers. It also includes onyx eyes. On the top, it is a push down closure. It has been beaded by hand out of multicolored Austrian Crystal.
13. Maharaja Bag
Price: $5,995 at Judithleiber
This brightly colored elephant is a must have as it has ornate costuming details, sculpted ears, tusks, feet and trunk. It also includes onyx eyes. It includes a tuck away chain. I absolutely adore elephants, so of course I liked this. I do not think it could have been made any better than it has been.
12. Ganesh Bag
Price: $5,595 at Judithleiber
For those of you that want something that is exquisitely crafted, I know you will like this. It has been fully beaded with Austrian crystal. It has been accented by black onyx and carnelian. It will be beautifully boxed with a signature bag.
11. Rose Bag
Price: $3,575 at Judithleiber
If you absolutely enjoy roses, then this would go great with your outfits. In fact, I have an outfit that has roses on it and found this bag went perfect. It has bottom leaf detailing and sculpted petals. For the closure, it is a push down snap. Many complain about the snaps being hard to open and close on some handbags, but this is not the case with this one.
These are all beautiful.
These bags are fabulous but they are very expensive. Do you have cheaper alternatives?
I love the Dora Bag! I have been a fan for many years, using the beautiful photos of her animal bags, and others, from the late 70’s and 80’s. The pictures were cut from Town & Country Magazine and used to inspire and release the creativity in my inner city students. Unfortunately these were lost when our basement flooded in 2003. I find, many years later, that her creations still inspire the same creativity, this time with the cancer patients I am working with. It is truly amazing the joy and hope that these patients receive from involving themselves in creative expression. The ground breaking program I am involved with deals with a whole person approach to cancer treatment, and her imagination and designs are truly an inspiration. I have used them as a starting point form several activities.
I would like to know more about Ms. Leiber besides what is on the Wikipedia site. I was told that she ordered a handbag for a friend, but it came damaged and she glued crystals over the damaged part and that is how her business began. Is this a true story? Also, told that she makes a custom bag for each new first lady to carry to the balls. ??? Is there a limit of each design? Does she retire designs? Is gold plated used? What does she do now that she has retired? So many questions – I absolutely love the handbags. We have an exhibit of her handbags in the new Taubman Museum of Art, Roanoke, VA. The handbags belong to a private collector but Gallery Host are needed and I would like to be able to tell her history.
Hi, I’m really new here. I was reading the info on Judith Leiber and I was wondering if anyone has any tips on trying to sell a clutch. I’m a 23 year old college student, and a little bit ago I received, as a gift from my mom, one of the crystal Minaudiere clutches. It’s beautiful, but the problem is that I already had the same one and she didn’t know it at the time. I’ve had it lying around and it is time to do something about it. I used it three times, but its in great shape. Does anyone know where I can sell something like this?
Let me know!
Thanks Girls!
Laura
Hi Laura!
You can try eBay. That is of course if you don’t mind selling it for a cheaper price since you got it as a gift anyway.
Or you can always keep it. You can give it to your future daughter so that you’ll have matching purses. It would make for a beautiful heirloom :D
Where can I find the peacock bag from Judith? I really really want it!!!
Neha, here is a site with a great selection of Judith Leiber purses: http://www.sedonastalkofthetown.com/c=bgxbO6Y2Wm1KLA1FrftF7KRfS/results.cgis?catalog=&keywords=Judith+Leiber&submit.x=0&submit.y=0&submit=search
These would be so fun paired with a wedding gown!! Nice post :)