“FLORA” FOULARD, SNEAKERS WITH PEARLS AND LUXURY T-SHIRTS: IT’S GUCCI MANIA!

Once upon a time in Florence there was a small shop that made bags, duffle bag, trunks, gloves and leather belts. A shop of suitcases and leather goods inspired by the equestrian world, but destined to dictate the laws of fashion for decades. The ideas of Guccio Gucci and the skilled hands of those who worked leather and other materials such as bamboo, linen and hemp, have made their products unique and inimitable. The double G and the red and green weft tape are known all over the world and are a symbol of quality and perfection, style and creativity.

All the creative directors have always taken into account the past of the great Italian fashion house and, very often, they have fished and brought back to life pieces that have made history and that, we are sure, will continue to do so. Between past and present, the classic is enriched with novelties: with the last creative director, Alessandro Michele, everything has been transformed into an imaginary journey among garments that are part of an all-baroque collection.

It was 1940 when Gucci Bamboo was born, the first it-bag. The black leather, burgundy or marine blue, was recognizable thanks to its handle in Japanese bamboo curved like the saddle of the horses. It was the first time that fashion used a poor material. The bag from the exotic detail got the most success thanks to the cinema. It’s on Rossellini’s set that he makes his first appearance: the film was “Viaggio in Italia”, the actress was Ingrid Bergman. From that moment it became the celebrity bag: from Vanessa Redgrave in “Blow up”, passing through Liz Taylor in “The cat on the hot roof”, up to Grace Kelly. Gucci Bamboo became a status symbol.

 

If the Bamboo was sported by the most beautiful women of the cinema of those years, the scarf with the famous fantasy Flora was created only for one of the most beautiful women, who was once the protagonist and muse of Hitchcock movies. It was 1966, Via Montenapoleone, Milan, Gucci Boutique. Rodolfo, son of Guccio Gucci, received the Prince of Monaco and his wife, Princess Grace Kelly. From a little lie a fashion must was born. No foulard with a floral pattern was in preparation, as the princess had requested, but Rodolfo promised her that he would deliver it to him in the end. The scarf was hand painted inspired by Botticelli’s “Primavera”: a triumph of 40 colors on a fine silk. Fashion and nature sealed a pact destined to last for decades.

 

Grace Kelly wears the Flora scarf by Gucci

 

Flora’s 50th anniversary was celebrated with the launch of a fragrance line. The choice of the testimonial has fallen on the beautiful Charlotte Casiraghi, grandson of Grace Kelly.

 

Another bag that came right into the it-bag of fashion history is the Jakie O. It is 1960 and the world is fascinated by the innate elegance of an American woman. It is not a movie star, nor a princess. Jakie Bouvier, wife of the American president John F. Kennedy and wife in second marriage of the Greek shipowner Onassis, has made a name for herself becoming an icon of style. Until today, and who knows for how much longer still, certainly until the fashion house Gucci will continue to revive the bag that bears his name, we will hear about it. It was a model with a trapezoidal shape in leather and with a buckle as a closure. Few details, linear and elegant.

Appreciated by the star system, in 2009 it was revived by Frida Giannini  who presented it in soft leather, in various sizes and colors, with the addition of the shoulder strap for a woman who wants to be elegant but practice. Hand-stitched stitching on the lower edge and tassels applied to the zip hinge: this is the New Jakie.

From 1994 until 2003 the creative direction of Gucci is led to Tom Ford, thanks to which the Florentine maison emerges from the crisis. Even Ford takes a look at the past, giving new life and lymph to tradition. He proposes a sensual and determined woman and enhances her sensuality using marvelous necklines and vertiginous heels. Revolution the hippy style making it chic. After deciding to leave office, the witness passes to Frida Giannini until 2014.

The new artistic director proposed the Guccissima, that is the double G printed on the fabric of the bags and the Première line, dedicated to the evening dresses that the stars start more and more often to show off on the red carpet. The woman proposed every year is always different, but very strong and with a style always decided. Bamboo came back from the past, renaming it New Bamboo; Reproduces the Flora fantasy.

The turning point that will forever mark the history of international fashion is signed by Alessandro Michele, creative director since 2014. What the new creative director proposes is a revolution that looks back on the past and present: it combines tradition with innovation, a Baroque elegance, a mix of colors, a retro nostalgia. Michele takes the traditional red and green colors and brings the Gucci house to a very high level. The proposal of an androgynous style with clothes suitable both for him and for her, really like and drives the audience crazy. His creations seem to be out of tune, instead they set trends and dictate fashion law. It is an imaginary journey with various flowers, colors, bees, snakes, tigers and then go on to details in pearls, velvet without ever leaving the traditional track.

About pearls: here are the Ace sneakers in white leather. The Web detail is unmissable on the upper, embellished with studs and pearls. You can buy them by following this link.

 

 

Everyone wants it: is the belt with the buckle with the double G. The classic and timeless or that embellished with pearl details? Here they are both by following this link or by clicking here.

The retro touch could not miss in the iconic cotton t-shirt with the Gucci logo of the past years. A passpartout t-shirt that is difficult to wear every day. Here it is.

 

I don’t know about you, but I desire it in every possible and imaginable color. The Gucci Marmont with the double G really won me over. Fascinating and chic, quilted velvet to caress, soft lines, enriched by the double golden G on the flap. I would like it to be emerald green, here it is. But there are many colors in which it is proposed.

We conclude this roundup of dream pieces that everyone would like, with a lambskin bomber with a quilted finish. This black model is enriched with ribbed stripes with traditional blue and red and a richly embroidered velvet border. The zip has a pendant in the shape of cherries. A refined masterpiece. Here it is, it is cheap. Only 3,200 euros.

 

In the air there is the desire to affirm oneself, not to homologate, there is the desire to stand out. Want to dare. And Gucci does it: combining different colors and patterns, mixing classic and modern details. A hypnotic balance. A genderless style. A revolution signed by Gucci.

Lea <3