Remembering Judith Leiber

Judith Leiber, an iconic handbag designer since 1939 passed away at the age of 97 on April 30. Her husband of 72 years, the abstract painter Gerson Leiber also passed away within hours of his wife. The couple started the Judith Leiber brand together in 1963, and Leiber quickly became known for her playful and whimsical minaudiere clutch designs. From a polar bear to popcorn, Leiber handmade sparkly clutches of all kinds. She was the first handbag designer to win a Coty Award and was the recipient of the CFDA’s Lifetime Achievement Prize in 1993. Celebrities and even several First Ladies over the years have loved carrying Leiber’s fun unique designs. In Sex and the City, Mr. Big even gave Carrie Bradshaw a Judith Leiber swan clutch. Most recently, the majority of the celebrities, including Rihanna and Blake Lively,  gracing the red carpet at the Met Gala: Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination were all carrying custom made Judith Leiber handbags!

Rihanna at the 2018 Met Gala

Hillary Clinton and the Judith Leiber “Socks” Clutch

Lily Collins and Hailee Seinfeld at the 2018  Met Gala

Judith Leiber swan clutch featured in Season 2 of Sex and the City

The Judith Leiber brand continues on!

Judith Leiber Couture Edition Butterscotch Candy Clutch $820

Judith Leiber is also of course one of our favorite designers that we carry here at Michael’s as well!

What are some of your favorite Judith Leiber handbags? Tell us in the comments below!