Results: Judith Leiber's Handbags (Part 1 of 2)
Published on 04/11/2025
Born in Budapest, Hungary in 1921, Judith Peto was the first female handbag apprentice and designer in Hungary. Having survived the Holocaust, she met US Sgt Gershon (Gus) Leiber on the war-torn streets when he was stationed in postwar Budapest. They married at her parents' home in 1946, and moved to New York City the following year. After working for several handbag manufacturers over the years, the skilled artisan opened her own company in Manhattan in 1963.
QUESTIONS
GO to COMMENTS
Comments
1.
1.
Leiber designed a variety of handbags in leather, cashmere, and even fish skin, but has become most famous for her crystal minaudieres. Had you heard of Judith Leiber or her bags?
Yes
10%
217 votes
Unsure
9%
201 votes
No
65%
1433 votes
N/A
16%
349 votes
2.
2.
Leiber's use of crystals was not planned. In one version of the story a bag was stained, requiring an emergency fix, and in another, a metal bag was scratched. But the outcome was her deciding to cover the blemish with rhinestones . . . and an iconic style was born. Do you carry a handbag or purse when you leave home?
No, I'm a guy.
15%
327 votes
I carry a man bag.
4%
81 votes
Never
8%
165 votes
Sometimes
13%
276 votes
Usually
11%
252 votes
Always
28%
611 votes
N/A
22%
488 votes
3.
3.
Leiber's early designs were inspired by Chinese ceramics of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Do you carry a small bag bearing a few essentials, or a larger bag to meet most of your needs?
Neither, I'm a guy.
16%
358 votes
A smaller man bag.
2%
49 votes
A larger man bag.
4%
90 votes
A small bag with only essentials.
10%
224 votes
It depends on the circumstances.
23%
496 votes
A larger bag
14%
310 votes
N/A
24%
531 votes
Neither, and I'm a woman
6%
142 votes
4.
4.
Leiber retired in 1998, but the company (now known as the Leiber Group)still creates bags inspired by her designs. Would you like to take any of these dogs for a walk?
They're adorable, but I need more storage space.
7%
159 votes
They're adorable, but at $5,295 each, too pricey, even if a gift.
19%
423 votes
They're silly.
8%
171 votes
I dislike them.
6%
126 votes
No
28%
613 votes
N/A
25%
546 votes
I'm vision-impaired.
1%
17 votes
Yes
7%
145 votes
5.
5.
Judith and Gus were married for 72 years. A friend shared that one night in April 2018, 96-year-old Gus told Judith, 97, "Sweetie, it's time for both of us to go." The next day he, and then Judith (five hours later) both died from heart attacks. Do you find it rather comforting that they passed the same day?
Yes
57%
1249 votes
No
14%
313 votes
N/A
29%
638 votes
COMMENTS