F. Scott Fitzgerald notably modeled the main characters in “Tender is the Night” after his frequent hosts and friends, Gerald and Sara Murphy.
By 1934, Gerald officially took over the Mark Cross brand. He expanded its offerings to include luggage, cigarette cases, and even jeweled evening bags, some of which he collaborated on with Seamen Schepps. In Alfred Hitchcock’s legendary film Rear Window, it is none other than a Mark Cross overnight case in which Grace Kelly packs her clothing.
The Murphy family eventually sold the company, although Gerald stayed on as president until his retirement in 1955. Mark Cross continued to flourish under new ownership and changed hands again in 1961. Subsequently, the company closed its doors in the 1990s.
Mark Cross was reestablished in 2011 and now produces pieces in the same Italian factories as the celebrated originals. The current collections are inspired by the vintage archives, a dedication to fine craftsmanship and use of the finest leathers in the world, devoid of excess hardware and logos.
Mark Cross continues to champion the Murphy’s artistic legacy, while maintaining a modern aesthetic. Today, Mark Cross handbags and accessories can be found in over 130 luxury lifestyle stores worldwide.
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