The International Style, a modernist movement within architecture and furniture design that was given its name by American architect Philip Johnson and historian Henry-Russell Hitchcock, was born during the 1920s and ’30s. It gained steam initially in Europe and then in the United States as a response to the first World War. Building projects associated with the movement, as well as vintage International Style chairs, tables and other furnishings, are minimal and pared back.
Pioneers of the International Style — architect Walter Gropius and his Bauhaus colleagues Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Marcel Breuer, De Stijl advocate and Dutch architect J.J.P. Oud and visionary designer Le Corbusier — stripped away decorative elements and placed considerable value on functionality and clean lines, integrating the use of industrial materials like steel, concrete and large sheets of glass in their work. Quite aptly, this mode of design and architectural style coincided with an era now known as the Machine Age and became a global symbol of modernism. The primary motive of its practitioners was to address the changing needs of a rapidly industrializing society, especially the demand for office complexes and apartments in large cities, through economical, technologically advanced, yet aesthetically pleasing designs for furniture and buildings.
“Space and light and order. Those are the things that men need just as much as they need bread or a place to sleep,” said Le Corbusier of the philosophy behind his practical modernist architecture.
The International Style’s designers and architects were inspired by the advantages afforded them by the era’s new technology and industrial machinery as well as state-of-the-art materials. Le Corbusier was fond of framing his buildings in steel but reinforced concrete made far more economic sense. He is probably most admired for the iconic private homes and commercial buildings that he designed or codesigned with his cousin Pierre Jeanneret, which are spread across the world, from New York City to Paris to Chandigarh, India. Today, Breuer’s Wassily Lounge chair; the elegant LC series created by Le Corbusier, Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand; and Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chair, crafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich, are emblems of progressive modernist design and all make prominent use of tubular steel. Vintage originals are the prized cornerstone of collections.
“The International Style is probably the first fundamentally original and widely distributed style since the Gothic,” posited Johnson in the book that accompanied “Modern Architecture: International Exhibition,” an architectural show he cocurated with Hitchcock that featured the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, Richard Neutra and others. While the term “International Style” had previously been circulating in Europe, when the show opened at the Museum of Modern Art in 1932, it yielded a much broader application of this important style of design.
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Vintage Gucci Black Leather Travel Bag with Yellow and Orange Stripe, Italy, cir
By Gucci
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A vintage Gucci travel bag in black leather, made in Italy, circa 1970s. A bold band of yellow and orange leather runs down the center of the bag on both sides, a far less common col...
Leather
Malle Goyard Shoe trunk early 20th century
By Goyard
Located in Walnut Creek, CA
Malle Goyard shoe trunk, early 20th century, done in the chevron logo canvas and trimmed in leather. This shoe trunk measures 25 1/2" long by 14 1/2" wide by 14 1/2" tall. The trun...
Wood
Vintage Louis Vuitton 57" Wardrobe Trunk
Located in Charleston, SC
A Rarely Seen Exceptionally Large French Mid 20th c. Louis Vuitton Wardrobe Trunk with Original Label and Serial #300828. Classic French Colored Vanilla Linen Interior with Brass Ta...
Brass
Vintage Gucci Train Case in Taupe Grained Leather, Brass Lock, 1970s
By Gucci
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A structured vintage train case by Gucci, executed in taupe grained leather with contrast tan topstitching throughout. The rigid, box-form silhouette is fitted with two rolled leathe...
Leather
Vintage Black Leather Suitcase with Yellow and Orange Stripe Attributed to Gucci
By Gucci
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A vintage hard-sided suitcase in black leather, attributed to Gucci, Italy, circa 1970s. A bold band of yellow and orange leather runs vertically through the center, front and back, ...
Leather
$200Sale Price|66% Off
H 20 in W 30 in D 9 in
Spec American Vintage Embossed Leather with Eagle Suitcase
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Gorgeous American vintage embossed leather suitcase with an image of an Eagle conquering a snake and horoscope on the other side. Yellow silk inside. Great condition with some signs ...
Leather
Indian Vintage Bamboo and Woven Rattan Suitcase with Brass Hardware
Located in Yonkers, NY
An Indian vintage bamboo and woven rattan suitcase from the mid 20th century, with brass hardware. Created in India during the midcentury period, this ...
Bamboo, Rattan
$14,894
H 27.56 in W 20.87 in D 9.06 in
Louis Vuitton Damier Ebene Shoe Trunk, Louis Vuitton Shoe Case, Vuitton Trunk
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This trunk was a special order made in 2000's. It features checkers canvas, or damier ébène and stamped LV solid brass locks, corners and studs. On the top is the leather handle, Lou...
Brass
$5,495 / set
H 7.25 in W 7.75 in D 4.25 in
1970s Gucci Gold Plated Snaffle Bit Leather Bookends - a Pair
By Gucci
Located in Jensen Beach, FL
Fabulous, rare pair of vintage Gucci bookends, featuring gold plated snaffle bits mounted to leather, with iconic green/red striped accent.
Metal, Gold Plate
Rare Vintage Ferrari 208 Turbo Schedoni Leather Travel Bag
Located in Forney, TX
An exquisite, extremely rare and highly sought after, vintage Ferrari 208 Turbo fitted original Schedoni Italian brown leather travel bag luggage. Handcrafted in Modena, Italy, each piece of a set of three, custom designed and fitted to each specific Ferrari model...
Leather
$3,294 / item
H 6 in W 18.5 in D 10.2 in
Traveling Jewelry Case in Cream Shagreen Brass W/Leather Handles by R&Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by skilled artisans, ultimately making each piece unique, designed in Paris and produced in the Philippines. As an ode to vintage steamer trunks...
Brass
Vintage Leather Storage Case
Located in New York, NY
Vintage cylindrical leather storage case, with strap buckle and felted interior. This example is in very good, original, clean and ready to use condition, showing only light cosmetic...
Leather
$1,250
H 12.75 in W 43.5 in D 22.75 in
Italian 20th Century Leather, Wood and Brass Travel Trunk with Rustic Character
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian leather and wood travel trunk from the 20th century with lined interior, removable compartment, brass accents and great rustic character. Created in Italy during the 20th ...
Brass
Early 20th Century Railway Travel Trunk Switzerland Dated 1916
Located in Debrecen, HU
Early 20th-century Swiss railway travel trunk, retaining its highly characterful original surface, fittings and interior, with a handwritten inscription dated September 1916. Constr...
Metal
GUCCI Vintage 70s Brown Leather Handbag Wood Handle Bag Rare
By Gucci
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Rare vintage GUCCI handbag from the 70's! It features wood handle and wood twist closure. Beautifully made, brown leather and signature Gucci stitching.
Leather, Wood
$1,740
H 18.51 in W 31.5 in D 19.69 in
19th Century Wood and Leather Travel Trunk with Velvet Interior
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This elegant late 19th-century travel trunk is a fine example of traditional European craftsmanship, combining durability with understated sophistication. Constructed on a lightweigh...
Leather, Poplar, Velvet, Beech, Pine
$1,196Sale Price|20% Off
H 16 in W 21 in D 7 in
Vintage Louis Vuitton Canvas & Leather Monogram Diminutive Suitcase, Circa 1970s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage Louis Vuitton canvas & leather monogram diminutive suitcase, circa 1970s This vintage Louis Vuitton monogram suitcase, made in the 1970s, exemplifies the brand's timeless el...
Brass
$592Sale Price|20% Off
H 17 in W 25 in D 13 in
Vintage Trussardi Casa Travel Bag, Leather & Faux Leather, Italy
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Vintage Trussardi Travel Bag Luggage Duffel Tote leather and leatherette 17 h to handles 11 h without handles x 25 w x 13 d Preowned vintage condition Refer to images listed
Leather, Faux Leather
$29,337
H 18.9 in W 23.63 in D 14.97 in L 18.9 in
Louis Vuitton Shoe Trunk, Vuitton Trunk, 60 cm Louis Vuitton Steamer Trunk
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This magnificent Louis Vuitton shoe trunk features hand painted stenciled canvas monogram, Louis Vuitton stamped solid brass locks, brass studs and leather side handles. This Vuitton...
Brass
Goyard Goyardine Steamer Wardrobe Trunk, 1912, France
By Goyard
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
Early 1910s very rare Goyard wardrobe trunk handmade in France. This was the biggest trunk that was ever made by Goyard. The trunk is in very good condition with nice patina. Perfect...
Brass
Sold
H 8 in W 22 in D 16.5 in
Vintage Black Leather Suitcase with Yellow and Orange Stripe Attributed to Gucci
By Gucci
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A vintage hard-sided suitcase in black leather, attributed to Gucci, Italy, circa 1970s. A bold band of yellow and orange leather runs vertically through the center, front and back, ...
Leather
Handsome vintage killam and leather satchel
Located in Allentown, PA
This is a late 20th century handsome Killam and leather satchel. This handbag is made from a handsome Killam carpet in the tones of burgundy, brown and green. The satchel has dark bu...
Leather, Fabric
Louis Vuitton Monogram Toiletry Bag Pochette Pouch 15
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Monogram LV Toiletry Pochette Pouch 15 Date Code 881 TH, France Authentic LOUIS VUITTON LV Monogram Toiletry Pouch 15. This cosmetic/ lipstick pouch or sm...
Brass
Aux Etats Unis Steamer or Hat Trunk
Located in Bradenton, FL
A very rare vintage steamer or hat trunk by Aux Etats Unis Paris. In the same style and period as Louis Vuitton, this steamer trunk too was made in Fran...
Leather
SET Suitcase and Beauty Case with Kilim, Vuitton Model
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Anatolian Old Cicim manufactured suit-case and beauty-case, with Italian red Bordeaux fine leather - I suggest to place on a shelf or cupboard when You don't use. ref. 01/02 -
Leather
Vintage Mulberry Scotch-grain Attache Case, Briefcase or Small Suitcase
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Vintage mulberry Scotch-grain attach case, briefcase or small suitcase A wonderful vintage piece from the Scotch-grain collection by Mulberry, case i...
Sold
H 13.5 in W 4.25 in D 9 in
Louis Vuitton Vintage LV Monogram Excursion Travel Shoe Bag w/ Padlock & Dustbag
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A vintage, iconic LV monogram Louis Vuitton Excursion travel shoe bag along with the original padlock, two keys and the duster storage bag. Gold-tone brass hardware, including the zi...
Leather, Canvas
Rare Goyard Monogram Suitcase, circa 1900
By Goyard
Located in Redding, CT
Goyard, established in 1792, is the oldest Parisian trunk maker still in business. This rare piece has the classic monogrammed exterior and boasts large solid brass hardware signed G...
Brass