Vintage Clutches
So many questions, so little time!
Last fall, as my family and I sadly laid my Grandma to rest, my head was swirling with questions. Of course whenever her and I spent time together I would ask her about her life. I always enjoyed looking through the hundreds of photos documenting her wonderful years here on earth and I never turned down an opportunity to ask about her past experiences, her parents, what life what like "back then", how she met my Grandpa and many other questions that I am sure at times were overwhelming for her. Yet, once someone is gone, you realize that there is so much that you didn't know about them or their life, even after 30 years of asking questions and spending time together. I guess I am still coming to terms with the fact that certain experiences, other quiet secrets, are taken to the grave.
While cleaning up the remaining belongings at her home, I couldn't stop myself from wondering why hadn't I ever asked to play dress up with her or even request to see some of her favorite items she had acquired throughout the years, on her many travels around the world. It is unfortunate that I didn't ask more than I did! Alas, the stories behind these vintage beauties are lost forever, however I am keeping my imagination open and my daydreaming vivid! I am sure these hand-beaded clutches lived well and of course always added just the right amount of pizazz to my Grandma's already very stylish wardrobe.
Bullocks, wow! That department store was around when I was young and I had almost completely forgotten it ever existed! Not being allowed in Grandma and Grandpa's room, ever, I had absolutely no idea what I would find inside. Needless to say, I was delighted to uncover 4 gorgeous vintage clutches!
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Vintage Clutch #1:
Silver Mesh Whiting & Davis Co. Bags
This clutch could very well date back to the 1920's
Front View ~ The silver mesh is stunning along with the large rhinestone clip
Inside View ~ The tag reads "Mesh Whiting & David Co. Bags Made in U.S.A.
The same information in stamped into the frame of this shining beauty.
I was curious about this bag as well as the company, so I did a little research and this is what I found out about Whiting & David Co.
With a pedigree that dates back to the jazz age, WHITING & DAVIS handbags are renowned for their sleek and innovative collection. First introduced in 1876, they became world renowned for fashionable metal mesh handbags. In addition, they are also a major supplier of mesh for industrial, architectural, jewelry, scientific and home décor applications. In 1999, The Inge Christopher Group acquired WHITING & DAVIS handbags. Soon after the acquisition, as they began pioneering new ways to play with the metal mesh, they realized they had acquired an aesthetic gem.
WHITING & DAVIS’ new design team added novelty colors, dramatic new textures, and retro-paint effects to its repertoire, creating exquisite metal mesh handbags. They soon became coveted arm candy by many fashion icons, as well as celebrities. Their bags are used for everything from one’s wedding night to prom and even on the red carpet.
WHITING & DAVIS handbags use their signature metal mesh to create an array of products from cosmetic cases and wallets to sophisticated daytime and evening handbags. Their handbags range from timeless to classic to vintage styles with Art Deco and Victorian influences, to young and contemporary silhouettes. Let your imagination take you away with all of WHITING & DAVIS’ alluring metal mesh handbags.
***************
Vintage Clutch #2:
No Name
Hand Made in France
Small pearl-like beads & flat metallic beads hand sewn onto ivory silk
Front view ~ I am in love with the attention to detail! It is absolutely exquisite!
Back view ~ I love the "hand slip" rather than wrist strap. I can just imagine it appearing as to float magically in hand.
Inside tag reads "Made in France. Hand-Made"
A vintage clutch after my own {French} heart!
Inside the interior pocket safely rests this clutch's original mirror. It is gorgeously backed in the same silk as the bag's inside lining.
***************
Vintage Clutch #3:
No Name
No Tag
No Idea!
Front view ~ Beautiful hand-sewn detail. I love the sunflower inspired motif! I can definitely see this lovely vintage clutch accompanying me to many weddings in future years.
Back view ~ Again, I love the little hand slip.
Peering inside ~ Even the zipper pull has a vintage motif engraved around it.
Things just aren't made like they used to be!
***************
Vintage clutch #4:
No Name
Hand Made in Hong Kong
Black beading on black silk
Front view ~ The perfect beaded black clutch!
I absolutely adore the shape of this clutch's opening flap. It is larger than the other 3 bags and much "newer"; I am estimating late 1970's - early 1980's.
A peek inside
Black silk lining with small tag. This clutch was certainly purchased when my Grandma & Grandpa traveled to China.
***************
My maternal Grandmother gave me this adorable purse when I was just a few years old. It is paisley velvet with a long pink strap and I remember dragging it around everywhere with me. I have kept it all these years and hope someday my daughter will enjoy playing with it, just as I did. My Grandmother has been gone since 2001, so when I pulled this little purse out while re-organizing my closet the other night, it brought a smile to my face.
The tag reads "Hans och Greta" ~ Hans and Greta
As I continued about in my closet, I enjoyed reliving memories of times spent with my Grandma and my Grandmother. I thank them for their love, their care and their always impeccable, personal style.
Until next time...
Call someone you love, enjoy something passed down to you from another generation and embrace styles from the past that you enjoy!
Kelli
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My Grandma and I enjoying a moment together at my wedding
Last fall, as my family and I sadly laid my Grandma to rest, my head was swirling with questions. Of course whenever her and I spent time together I would ask her about her life. I always enjoyed looking through the hundreds of photos documenting her wonderful years here on earth and I never turned down an opportunity to ask about her past experiences, her parents, what life what like "back then", how she met my Grandpa and many other questions that I am sure at times were overwhelming for her. Yet, once someone is gone, you realize that there is so much that you didn't know about them or their life, even after 30 years of asking questions and spending time together. I guess I am still coming to terms with the fact that certain experiences, other quiet secrets, are taken to the grave.
While cleaning up the remaining belongings at her home, I couldn't stop myself from wondering why hadn't I ever asked to play dress up with her or even request to see some of her favorite items she had acquired throughout the years, on her many travels around the world. It is unfortunate that I didn't ask more than I did! Alas, the stories behind these vintage beauties are lost forever, however I am keeping my imagination open and my daydreaming vivid! I am sure these hand-beaded clutches lived well and of course always added just the right amount of pizazz to my Grandma's already very stylish wardrobe.
Bullocks, wow! That department store was around when I was young and I had almost completely forgotten it ever existed! Not being allowed in Grandma and Grandpa's room, ever, I had absolutely no idea what I would find inside. Needless to say, I was delighted to uncover 4 gorgeous vintage clutches!
***************
Vintage Clutch #1:
Silver Mesh Whiting & Davis Co. Bags
This clutch could very well date back to the 1920's
Front View ~ The silver mesh is stunning along with the large rhinestone clip
Inside View ~ The tag reads "Mesh Whiting & David Co. Bags Made in U.S.A.
The same information in stamped into the frame of this shining beauty.
I was curious about this bag as well as the company, so I did a little research and this is what I found out about Whiting & David Co.
With a pedigree that dates back to the jazz age, WHITING & DAVIS handbags are renowned for their sleek and innovative collection. First introduced in 1876, they became world renowned for fashionable metal mesh handbags. In addition, they are also a major supplier of mesh for industrial, architectural, jewelry, scientific and home décor applications. In 1999, The Inge Christopher Group acquired WHITING & DAVIS handbags. Soon after the acquisition, as they began pioneering new ways to play with the metal mesh, they realized they had acquired an aesthetic gem.
WHITING & DAVIS’ new design team added novelty colors, dramatic new textures, and retro-paint effects to its repertoire, creating exquisite metal mesh handbags. They soon became coveted arm candy by many fashion icons, as well as celebrities. Their bags are used for everything from one’s wedding night to prom and even on the red carpet.
WHITING & DAVIS handbags use their signature metal mesh to create an array of products from cosmetic cases and wallets to sophisticated daytime and evening handbags. Their handbags range from timeless to classic to vintage styles with Art Deco and Victorian influences, to young and contemporary silhouettes. Let your imagination take you away with all of WHITING & DAVIS’ alluring metal mesh handbags.
***************
Vintage Clutch #2:
No Name
Hand Made in France
Small pearl-like beads & flat metallic beads hand sewn onto ivory silk
Front view ~ I am in love with the attention to detail! It is absolutely exquisite!
Back view ~ I love the "hand slip" rather than wrist strap. I can just imagine it appearing as to float magically in hand.
Inside tag reads "Made in France. Hand-Made"
A vintage clutch after my own {French} heart!
Inside the interior pocket safely rests this clutch's original mirror. It is gorgeously backed in the same silk as the bag's inside lining.
***************
Vintage Clutch #3:
No Name
No Tag
No Idea!
Front view ~ Beautiful hand-sewn detail. I love the sunflower inspired motif! I can definitely see this lovely vintage clutch accompanying me to many weddings in future years.
Back view ~ Again, I love the little hand slip.
Peering inside ~ Even the zipper pull has a vintage motif engraved around it.
Things just aren't made like they used to be!
***************
Vintage clutch #4:
No Name
Hand Made in Hong Kong
Black beading on black silk
Front view ~ The perfect beaded black clutch!
I absolutely adore the shape of this clutch's opening flap. It is larger than the other 3 bags and much "newer"; I am estimating late 1970's - early 1980's.
A peek inside
Black silk lining with small tag. This clutch was certainly purchased when my Grandma & Grandpa traveled to China.
***************
My maternal Grandmother gave me this adorable purse when I was just a few years old. It is paisley velvet with a long pink strap and I remember dragging it around everywhere with me. I have kept it all these years and hope someday my daughter will enjoy playing with it, just as I did. My Grandmother has been gone since 2001, so when I pulled this little purse out while re-organizing my closet the other night, it brought a smile to my face.
The tag reads "Hans och Greta" ~ Hans and Greta
As I continued about in my closet, I enjoyed reliving memories of times spent with my Grandma and my Grandmother. I thank them for their love, their care and their always impeccable, personal style.
Until next time...
Call someone you love, enjoy something passed down to you from another generation and embrace styles from the past that you enjoy!
Kelli
My Grandma and I enjoying a moment together at my wedding
Posted by Kelli Djulus at 1/16/2009 5:00 PM 
Categories: Handbags, Accessories, things I love, Vintage
Categories: Handbags, Accessories, things I love, Vintage
What a great blog and what great bags! How fun to have found such treasures in your Grandma's house!
Much Love,
The Diva
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Oh Kelli! These are absolutely gorgeous! What a beautiful treasure. And to have come from someone so dear to you!
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of course the Whiting & David is fab but that second one down ...pearls I think. Oh, just gorgeous. I love vintage! It's all just so much better!
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I feel as if the pictures don't even do them justice. Yes, I am with you on vintage, it's something I am always wanting more of...
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Sigh... Bullocks Pasadena... the good ol' days!
Nice purse collection!
Lovely photo with your grandmother!
My friend... I do have your name in my "blogs I love to visit" it's been there for a long time! It's in the "k" section!
ENJOY your weekend!
Fifi
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Thank you Fifi! I missed it as I was looking around the "A" section.
Bon week-end!
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Oh Kelli! What a fabulous post! Bullocks! I remember going with my Mom when I was little, great memories
BTW~ I haven't forgotten about the chandelier! I've been lazy...I'll get to it asap!
xoxo
Judith~
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Kelli,
What beautiful clutches!! Each one of them is absolutely gorgeous. I am especially fond of the silver metallic one. What a sweet and touching photo of you and your grandmother.
Kris
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Kelli, these are beautiful, as are the shared memories. Even if you don't know the provenance of the clutches, I'm glad you took the time to learn more about your grandmother. My grandmother died when I was a young adult, busy with my own family and my career, and I'm sorry I didn't spend more time with her.
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Judith: Yes, she was a beautiful, elegant and wonderfully social woman! Thanks for your sweet words, it was definitely something written from deep in my heart. Don't worry, I know you have been sick! I will look forward to seeing a picture when you can email it... no pressure though!
Kris: Thank you!
Cashmere Librarian: Thank you for your sweet and honest comment. I understand about time constraints as that was certainly me last year. I think I only saw her once in 2008 but I have to trust that she knows I love her.
Isn't finding balance so difficult? And I do not even have children yet! Yikes... a bit nervous about the speed that life will take on and what will have to be put on the back burner when little bébé arrives someday.
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Such beautiful memories of your grandmother Kelli and such exquisite clutches. The two beaded bags are truly beautiful, xv.
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I love this post about the clutch purses. I have never seen these, even since you got them. I didn't know you found them. Please show them to us the next time we are over.
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What lovely memories you were able to share with us. I love the clutches and I know you will cherish them forever.
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Hi Kelli~
What a beautiful post, to have a grandma's love and these little treasures that will last a lifetime. These clutches are so pretty! When I found some of my grandma's items after she passed it made me think about the way she felt using an item, I no doubt, made it into a dreamy fairytale. Cherish all the wonderful memories~I love the wedding photo of you two. So sweet, tear tear.
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