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The history of legendary handbags and jewelry by Judith Leiber

Judith Leiber Wheel of the Year Gold Choker.
Judith Leiber Wheel of the Year Gold Choker.

Today, to have a luxurious handbag from Judith Lieber means to be a very important person. And not only because the prices for these sparkling masterpieces are steep, because each designer’s creation is a one-piece product that is not so easy to get; pre-registration is required for some models.

The designer draws his inspiration from nature – the collections feature a variety of animal and flower figures. There are also classic clutches and elegant bonbonnieres. A distinctive feature of the brand is the abundant inlay with rhinestones. Each accessory takes hundreds of manual labor and it truly looks like a real masterpiece!

Vintage Judith Leiber Gold Horse Belt Circa 1980s.
Vintage Judith Leiber Gold Horse Belt Circa 1980s.
Judith Leiber Glass Cabochon Enamel Frog Brooch & Earrings Set c 1980s.
Glass Cabochon Enamel Frog Brooch & Earrings Set c 1980s.
Judith Leiber Gold Tone Monkey Trinket Box.
Judith Leiber Gold Tone Monkey Trinket Box.

In addition to miniature clutches, the brand produces luxury jewelry, belts, glasses and wallets.

Handbags from Judith Lieber are frequent guests at all kinds of ceremonies – Hollywood stars choose them for the Oscars, and future First Ladies for Presidential Inaugurations.

But first there was a legend. Judith Peto was born in Hungary to Jewish immigrants. She was a stubborn and talented girl who decided to be the first to join the Bag Makers Guild. But Judith did not want to stop only at producing accessories. She saw Great Britain and the chemistry department at King’s College. But the plans were not destined to come true: the Second World War ruled the world. Because of her background, Judith barely escaped the Holocaust. After the end of the war, Judith opens a small leather goods workshop.

Judith Leiber Clear and Green Crystal Pumpkin Case.
Clear and Green Crystal Pumpkin Case.
Judith Leiber Gold Tone Red Crystal Clutch with Coin Purse.
Gold Tone Red Crystal Clutch with Coin Purse.
Judith Leiber Gold Tone Steel Crystal Cylinder Case.
Gold Tone Steel Crystal Cylinder Case.

A fateful meeting with American army soldier Gerson Lieber changes the life of a young woman. After the wedding ceremony, the husband takes Judith to his homeland, America. It is in this country that the girl will experience resounding success and universal recognition.

Perhaps Judith Leiber would have remained a little-known bag maker if not for chance. As they say, there would be no happiness, but misfortune helped. The girl was waiting for a parcel with a gift for a close friend. The package arrived, but the iron packaging was a little dented. Judith was not at a loss and covered the unevenness with the help of sparkling rhinestones. The result was a completely royal present, the friend was delighted, and the far-sighted Mrs. Lieber saw in this a special sign. In 1963, the Judith Leiber fashion house was born. The very first collection literally blew up the fashion community. Miniature clutches, completely studded with sparkling stones, looked like anything but handbags. Since then, the masterpiece from Judith Lieber has become a mandatory attribute of status.

Judith Leiber Hummingbird Bird Brooch and Earrings French Enamel.
Hummingbird Bird Brooch and Earrings French Enamel.
Judith Leiber Avant Garde White Enamel Mouse Brooch c 1980s.
Avant Garde White Enamel Mouse Brooch c 1980s.
Judith Leiber Large Silver Cuff Bracelet.
Large Silver Cuff Bracelet.

In 1998, the brand’s founder left her post and the company was sold. However, the former owner was always a welcome guest of the Fashion House and even stood at the origins of the first fragrance, released in 2007. The perfume turned out to be evening and luxurious, just like the famous handbags.

Judith Lieber made a real revolution in the fashion world: she made the bag the center of an evening outfit. Now even the most exquisite dresses and suits must undergo a difficult casting in order to harmoniously combine with the “jewel on the arm.”

Judith Leiber Gold Tone & Black Enamel Necklace Never worn 1990s.
Gold Tone & Black Enamel Necklace Never worn 1990s.
JUDITH LEIBER Vintage Lion's Head Brooch Pendant Gold Tone.
Vintage Lion’s Head Brooch Pendant Gold Tone.
Judith Leiber Figural Woman Pendant Necklace c 1970s.
Figural Woman Pendant Necklace c 1970s.
Judith Leiber Massive Bacchus Medallion Necklace.
Massive Bacchus Medallion Necklace.
Judith Leiber Massive Figural Gilt Metal Pendant Brooch Necklace.
Massive Figural Gilt Metal Pendant Brooch Necklace.
1990's Vintage Judith Leiber Enamel Butterfly Clip Earrings.
1990’s Vintage Judith Leiber Enamel Butterfly Clip Earrings.
Judith Leiber Gold Plated CZ Dome Earrings.
Gold Plated CZ Dome Earrings.
Gilded Mini Chatelaine Clutch Pill Case With Swarovski Pavé By Judith Leiber.
Gilded Mini Chatelaine Clutch Pill Case With Swarovski Pavé By Judith Leiber.
Judith Leiber Gold Skinny Stretch Waist Belt.
Gold Skinny Stretch Waist Belt.
Judith Leiber Honey Amber Enamel on Gold Flower Brooch.
Honey Amber Enamel on Gold Flower Brooch.
Judith Lieber Gold with White & Blue Enamel Flower Bouquet Brooch.
Gold with White & Blue Enamel Flower Bouquet Brooch.
Judith Leiber Dark Plum Purple Enamel on Gold Flower Pin.
Dark Plum Purple Enamel on Gold Flower Pin.
Gilt & Peacock Green Enamel Articulating Bracelet by Judith Leiber, 1980s.
Gilt & Peacock Green Enamel Articulating Bracelet by Judith Leiber, 1980s.
JUDITH LEIBER Charm Bracelet Teddy Bear New in Box 1980s.
Charm Bracelet Teddy Bear New in Box 1980s.
Judith Leiber Enamel Flower Brooch and Clip On Earring Set.
Enamel Flower Brooch and Clip On Earring Set.
Judith Lieber Gold & Rhinestone Link Earrings.
Gold & Rhinestone Link Earrings.
Cream Judith Leiber Karung Evening Bag.
Cream Judith Leiber Karung Evening Bag.
Judith Leiber Swarovski Crystal Chatelaine Minaudiere Evening Bag.
Swarovski Crystal Chatelaine Minaudiere Evening Bag.
Judith Leiber 1980s Swarovski Teddy Bear Belt.
1980s Swarovski Teddy Bear Belt.
Gold Tone Judith Leiber Metal Stretch Lion Belt Size US XXS.
Gold Tone Judith Leiber Metal Stretch Lion Belt Size US XXS.
Judith Leiber Vintage Silver Crystal Minaudiere Gold Evening Tassel Clutch.
Vintage Silver Crystal Minaudiere Gold Evening Tassel Clutch.
Judith Leiber 1990s Multicolor Crystal Embellished Foodog Clutch.
1990s Multicolor Crystal Embellished Foodog Clutch.
Judith Leiber Duck Minaudiere.
Duck Minaudiere.
Judith Leiber Red Crystal Heart Evening Bag.
Red Crystal Heart Evening Bag.
Judith Leiber Floral Châtelaine Minaudière Bag.
Floral Châtelaine Minaudière Bag.
Judith Leiber Limited Edition Woven Snakeskin Clutch Bag.
Limited Edition Woven Snakeskin Clutch Bag.
Judith Leiber Swarovski Crystal Floral Minaudiere Clutch.
Swarovski Crystal Floral Minaudiere Clutch.
Judith Lieber Fan Swarovski Crystal Minaudiere Clutch Bag Collectors Edition.
Fan Swarovski Crystal Minaudiere Clutch Bag Collectors Edition.
rare JUDITH LEIBER COUTURE Stack Of Cash Billion rhinestone crystals clutch bag.
Rare JUDITH LEIBER COUTURE Stack Of Cash Billion rhinestone crystals clutch bag.
Judith Leiber Swarovski Crystal Cheetah Minaudiere.
Swarovski Crystal Cheetah Minaudiere.
Judith Leiber Gold with White Crystal Box Minaudière Evening Clutch.
Gold with White Crystal Box Minaudière Evening Clutch.
Judith Leiber Vintage Gray Paisley Minaudiere.
Vintage Gray Paisley Minaudiere.
Rare Vintage Judith Leiber Crystal Chantelaine Minaudiere Production Sample.
Rare Vintage Judith Leiber Crystal Chantelaine Minaudiere Production Sample.
Judith Leiber Swarovski Crystal Frog Minaudiere.
Judith Leiber Swarovski Crystal Frog Minaudiere.