1980's COURREGES tortoise plastic and metal sunglasses
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Light wear/marks from storage. May need to be reshaped by an optometrist. No case.
- Seller Location:San Fransisco, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU8119466882
André Courrèges
Revolutionary couturier André Courrèges made a name for himself on the buzzy Paris fashion scene of the 1960s with audacious Space Age designs that pointed to the future. The world of haute couture credits him with toppling the conservative standards assigned to feminine clothing back then and propelling a movement that celebrated a more revealing brand of women's attire — including chic miniskirts, his iconic white ankle boots and often whimsical dresses with necklines that turned heads.
While vintage André Courrèges suits, jackets and other apparel garnered the designer ample praise, he wasn’t confined to producing clothing. He is also widely revered for creating some of the era’s most stylish accessories, like his offbeat, goggles-esque sunglasses and distinctive scarves, which boasted lively patterns and an alluring range of Pop art colors and pastels.
Born in the French Pyrenees, Courrèges wanted to become an artist at an early age, but his father steered him into engineering. Though successful as an engineer, Courrèges pivoted to fashion. He moved to Paris and worked briefly for couturiere Jeanne Lafaurie. In 1948, he took a job with Cristóbal Balenciaga, and within a couple of years, he had ascended to the role of Balenciaga’s first assistant.
While working for Balenciaga, Courrèges met dressmaker Coqueline Barrière, whom he would later marry. In 1961, the couple established their own fashion house, where they collaborated as creative partners for the remainder of the designer’s life.
Courrèges was among the designers who ushered in the rise of ready-to-wear. He favored figure-hugging silhouettes and geometric shapes, and looked to the work of architect Le Corbusier — a like-minded proponent of simplicity and clean lines. Alongside innovators such as Mary Quant, Paco Rabanne and Pierre Cardin — the latter's futuristic looks were catnip for the free-spending consumers of the postwar years — Courrèges explored ways to outfit women with comfortable everyday wear, working with forward-looking materials such as plastic and polyvinyl chloride in his unadorned dresses of stark white. Mexican socialite and Harper’s Bazaar editor Gloria Guinness, pop star Françoise Hardy and former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy were among some notable names to wear Courrèges originals.
By the mid-1960s, Courrèges had risen to the top of his industry, and there were many imitators. He took strict control of production at his namesake label, only allowing distribution through licensed sellers. He and Coqueline sold off part of the company in 1968 to L'Oreal, and by the early 1970s, Courrèges had more than 100 boutiques worldwide, also expanding into fragrances and menswear. In 1983, the couple restored themselves to full ownership of the company and in 2011 sold the company to French advertising executives Jacques Bungert and Frédéric Torloting. Artémis, which controls the global luxury group Kering, acquired a minority stake in the Courrèges brand in 2015 and took full control three years later.
Find vintage André Courrèges clothing, purses and other items on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Oakland, CA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- unworn ANNE MARIE PERRIS red shell sunglassesBy ANNE MARIE PERRISLocated in San Fransisco, CAAvant garde shaped plastic red shell sunglasses from Anne Marie Perris dating to the 1980's. Unworn. Sunglasses fit a medium width face. Measure approximately 5.5" in width. Lenses m...Category
1980s Italian Sunglasses
- 1980's BALENCIAGA black and white plastic sunglassesBy BalenciagaLocated in San Fransisco, CAUnworn, black and white plastic sunglasses with purple hued lenses from Balenciaga dating to the 1980's. Frames measure approximately: 5.25" wide by 2.15" tall. Handmade in France. N...Category
1980s French Sunglasses
- 1980's EMMANUELLE KHANH oversized mosiac sunglassesBy Emmanuelle KhanhLocated in San Fransisco, CAVivid purple and bronze mosaic sunglasses with gold-toned EK logos at temples and golden brown hued lenses from Emmanuelle Khanh dating to the late 1970's, early 1980's. Oversized fr...Category
Late 20th Century French Sunglasses
- 80's BALENCIAGA black plastic sunglasses with etched gold accents - unwornBy BalenciagaLocated in San Fransisco, CAUnworn black plastic sunglasses with etched diagonal gold accents from Balenciaga dating to the 1980's. Measures approximately: 6" wide by just over 1.75" tall. Arms measure approxim...Category
1980s French Sunglasses
- 1980's ANNE MARIE PERRIS mother of pearl and plastic sunglassesBy ANNE MARIE PERRISLocated in San Fransisco, CARed, black and white mother of pearl and plastic sunglasses with purple hued lenses designed by Anne Marie Perris dating to the 1980's. Frames measure approximately: 5.75" across, 2"...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Sunglasses
- 1980's EMMANUELLE KHANH oversized white plastic sunglassesBy Emmanuelle KhanhLocated in San Fransisco, CAOversized, white plastic sunglasses with silver-toned metal EK logo at temples designed by Emmanuelle Khanh dating to the 1980's. Frames work well for a medium or larger sized face. ...Category
Late 20th Century French Sunglasses
- Optical Affairs - Series KL2 - brown lizard skin sunglasses - 1987By Optical AffairsLocated in Miami Beach, FLOptical Affairs Series KL2. This one-of-a-kind collector’s item has genuine brown lizard skin wrapping the entire frame with precision and true craftsmanship. A luxurious take on Opt...Category
1980s French Sunglasses
- Cazal 1980s 951 Gold Tone SunglassesBy CazalLocated in Scottsdale, AZIntroducing the Cazal 1980s 951 Gold Tone Sunglasses, an iconic and statement-making accessory that exudes luxury and sophistication. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, the...Category
1980s Sunglasses
- Urbani Venice Purple Laser Cut SunglassesLocated in Scottsdale, AZIntroducing the Urbani Venice Purple Laser Cut Sunglasses, a stunning pair of statement sunglasses that exude vintage charm and contemporary flair. Crafted in the 1980s, these sungla...Category
1990s Italian Sunglasses
- White Saint Laurent Wayfarer SunglassesBy Saint LaurentLocated in New York, NYWhite acetate wayfarer sunglasses by Saint Laurent. Brown tinted lenses. 1.5" height, 5.5" width, 6" length.Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Sunglasses
- RAY-BAN RX 5154 5650 Clubmaster Plastic Tortoise/ Havana EyeglassBy Ray-BanLocated in New York, NYRay-Ban, the world's most beloved eyewear company, continues their legacy by producing classic styles with modern innovations. From the iconic Wayfarer to the original aviator, Ray-B...Category
2010s Chinese Sunglasses
- Versace MOD 4098_B GB1/BG 120 3N Black Oversized Women Sunglasses, PreownedBy VersaceLocated in New York, NYVersace MOD 4098_B GB1/BG 120 3N Black Oversized Women Sunglasses, Preowned, Excellent Condition Made in Italy Black Women Sunglasses, Oversized Black ...Category
2010s Italian Sunglasses