Abigail Spencer. Photo: Patrick McMullan

A Judith Leiber clutch is the ne plus ultra of the handbag world. Like a piece of art, it remains a historic, exquisitely crafted and timeless accessory toted by dowager dames and influentials like Hillary Clinton, Elizabeth Taylor and Nancy Reagan.

So it comes as no surprise that the Costume Council of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art decided to fête the minaudière maven behind the brand at their museum on Wednesday afternoon. The luncheon, which marked a restoration of the empire, kicked off with a discussion between Leiber and Brand President Mary Gleason moderated by Decades’ Cameron Silver. “I’ve met a lot of designers, but this is probably the most exciting one for me,” Silver professed to an audience of Leiber acolytes and celebs including Abigail Spencer, Katie Cassidy, Aimee Teegarden and Annie Ilonzeh. Guests then gawked at a capsule display of vintage handbags on loan from the Leiber Museum in Easthampton, NY. Leiber, at a spry 90 years old, joked about being fired from many jobs before her label’s ascent to red carpet “It” bag status.

It was her husband of 65 years, artist Gerson Leiber, who pushed her out on her own. “’No more schnooks,’ he said. I was terrified!” More than four decades later, Leiber has proven her mettle in rhinestones. Recently, the brand added a new perfume, bridal handbags, contemporary handbags, and the charitable FEED clutch to its roster. Expect a line of shoes – already in high demand – later this year. Asked by Silver who would play her in a future biopic, Leiber quipped, “Who knows, maybe we’ll be playing ourselves!” And for the bag she’ll tote when the movie wins an Oscar? “A minaudière.” But her first — a purse-shaped Chatelaine — is her all-time favorite.