Nancy Gonzalez Crocodile Tote

Find the exact vintage or contemporary nancy gonzalez crocodile tote you’re shopping for in the variety available on 1stDibs. Many people prefer Black, but fashion is all about individuality — you can find Brown, Orange and more options on these pages. There aren’t many items for men if you’re seeking these accessories, as most of the options available are for women and unisex.

On average, a nancy gonzalez crocodile tote on 1stDibs sells for $895, while they’re typically $280 on the low end and $3,495 for the highest priced versions of this item.

Born in Cali, Colombia, luxury handbag designer Nancy Gonzalez started her eponymous business with her late son, Santiago Gonzalez, in 1998, selling her very first collection at Bergdorf Goodman. Her vibrant yet timeless designs for handbags and top-handle bags are inspired by the nature and culture of her home country, and they’re handcrafted there, too, by local artisans. The brand is committed to social change — Gonzalez is focused on uplifting Colombian women. She prioritizes the well-being of her workforce, which is largely made up of women, and offers support systems such as childcare to all employees.

Nancy Gonzalez handbags are typically made from eclectic, naturally dyed skins like iridescent python and cobalt-blue ostrich or plant-based materials like banana leaf. But the brand’s signature material is crocodile skin, often dyed in bright colors, with the majority of their leathers sourced from the Gonzalez farms in Colombia.

The designer has also partnered with top contemporary artists such as Will Cotton, Jim Hodges, Jenny Holzer, KAWS and Dr. Lakra on limited-edition designs for the TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art gala and auction, hosted by the Dallas Museum of Art and amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research.

With a joyous exuberance in their colorful designs, the bags are a favorite of global A-listers and tastemakers alike.

Beyond its handbag and purse collection, the Nancy Gonzalez brand also expanded to men’s and women’s accessories and shoes, launching its first footwear collection in 2016. All of these new additions embraced the brand’s distinctive style with crocodile skin and vivid hues while also pushing their designs forward with new pieces and techniques like laser cutting. The company closed its doors in 2024.

Find vintage Nancy Gonzalez handbags and other accessories on 1stDibs today.

From classic medium-sized Louis Vuitton leather tote bags to authentic cube-like Loewe shoulder bags woven in raffia, the large selection of vintage and designer tote bags on 1stDibs offers something for special occasions as well as everyday needs.

Although part of a modern look, tote bags have been roomy and versatile accessories since at least 1944, with the launch of L.L.Bean’s “ice bag.” The Maine retailer, then largely known for rugged field coats and hunting shoes, had introduced a big, durable canvas bag that was initially intended to carry firewood or ice. In those days, to keep produce and other foods cool in refrigerators, consumers had to regularly replace the blocks of ice that were doing all the work in their bulky appliances. There was no better bag to help haul big blocks of ice from the trunk of your car to your front door and, subsequently, to your kitchen.

Years later, during the 1960s, L.L.Bean’s Boat and Tote was introduced as an overhauled structured canvas version of the ice bag. Tested to lug up to 500 pounds, the Boat and Tote became a best seller. Also during the 1960s, American designer Bonnie Cashin created the Cashin Carry for Coach. Cashin was Coach’s first lead designer, and she liked leather, large pockets and earth tones. Her modern interpretation of the tote bag introduced a touch of elegance to this increasingly ubiquitous accessory.

In the subsequent decades, more brands debuted their own iterations of the tote bag, from Tory Burch’s Perry leather tote bag to Goyard’s luxurious Saint Louis. 

Pay tribute to this long and interesting history of a well-loved accessory by browsing the vintage and designer tote bags on 1stDibs.