Judith Leiber, one of the premier names in handbag design, may be best known for its Austrian crystal handbags. Founded in 1963 by the company’s namesake, who had previously worked for various New York handbag manufacturers, the company’s famous crystal-encrusted designs and subsequent ascent to success were somewhat accidental.
“The inspiration for Mrs. Leiber’s crystal evening bags has become as legendary as the woman herself. Mrs. Leiber had ordered a gift for a friend via mail. Upon receiving it, she realized that the gift, a polished metal box, was terribly scratched. She creatively decided to cover the flaws with crystals,” the company website states. “40 years later, the use of signature crystals and exotic skins on handbags has gained world-renowned fame and attention.”
This notoriety has come in many forms ranging from features in fashion-conscious shows such as HBO’s Sex and the City to a book based on the company’s climb to success entitled The Artful Handbag to inclusions in permanent art collections at museums such as the Smithsonian Institution in Washington and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, among others.
It is the use of exquisite materials, chief among them Austrian crystals, and the importance placed on handcraftsmanship — the bags are among the few luxury products still made by hand in the United States — that have helped to demonstrate that Judith Leiber bags are more than merely fashion accessories. In fact, “Leiber creations have always been more art than fashion, a factor that has undoubtedly contributed to their enduring popularity” and one reason that they are featured in art museums.
The company attempts to attain several goals with its designs, chief among them being to achieve a balance of sophistication and whimsy, as evidenced by its crystal-covered animal designs. These range from Scottie dogs to snakes to pigs. Taking this endeavor even further, Judith Leiber now offers the option to custom-design handbags that are based on children’s drawings. For a minimal fee, around $5,000, the crystal experts at Judith Leiber will turn any child’s drawing into a jewel-encrusted minaudière. (After the drawing has been submitted, the entire process takes around six weeks to complete.)
While this may not end the debate between parents regarding whose child is the smartest, most talented, or cutest, if parents do choose to take part in this worthwhile opportunity, they will not only have a tangible way to remember their child everywhere they go, but they will make these near-priceless drawings even more valuable and take ownership of a gorgeous crystal-encrusted handbag that demonstrates the enduring love between parents and their children.
