When it comes to high-end brands, one of the favorites worldwide is Gucci. While not everyone can afford Gucci, for some the brand is a wardrobe staple.
Celebrities who love and promote the Gucci brand include Rihanna, Brad Pitt, Blake Lively, Salma Hayek, Kate Moss, and Lil Wayne. Are you a Gucci lover too?
If you’re a fan of Gucci, here are 6 interesting facts about this fashion dynasty you will want to know:
1. Italian Origins – London Inspiration
Guccio Gucci founded the brand in Florence, Italy in 1921 when he was 40 years old.
Although the brand was born in Italy, a country known for its fashion, the style was actually inspired by Gucci’s time living in London.
While working as an elevator operator in London’s elite Savoy Hotel, Gucci was able to observe celebrities like Winston Churchill and other famous Brits. Their accessories and lifestyles made an impression on the someday-famous designer.
2. Riding on a High Horse
Some of the first items Gucci designed were leather bags that could be easily attached and removed from horse saddles. In Italy at the time, there were many horsemen who became some of Gucci’s first most important customers.
The now-instantly-recognizable Gucci horsebit logo was inspired by these origins. First introduced in the 1950’s, the horsebit logo has been part of the brand ever since.
3. Fascism and Silk
During the 1940’s, Italy came under the rule of fascist dictator Benito Mussolini. During the days of the fascist regime, leather was difficult to come by, so Gucci started designing products in silk.
The now-famous Flora print was first designed for silk scarves at the special request of Grace Kelly, then Princess of Monaco.
4. The GG Logo
Many fans assume that the GG logo was created by Gucci himself. In fact, it was not designed until after his death in 1953.
In 1960, the GG logo design was commissioned to honor the legendary designer who not only designed but managed the brand throughout his lifetime.
5. Near Bankruptcy
After Gucci’s death, the brand went through several difficult periods, as new creative directors were brought on to try to give the brand a contemporary direction, failing to live up to the fashion genius of the brand’s founder.
In the 1980’s, the Gucci company almost went bankrupt in the wake of Gucci family scandals, including a feud between Gucci cousins Paolo and Maurizio over charges of corruption and tax evasion.
6. A Rising New Fashion Era
In 1994, Tom Ford was brought on as Creative Director of Gucci to lead a resurrection of the brand. Under his leadership, the brand experienced a 90% increase in sales in just five years.
During that time, one notable highlight was when Gucci entered the Guinness Book of World Records for the most expensive jeans – “Genius Jeans” were valued over $3000 in 1998.
More recently, since 2015, fashion designer Alessandro Michele has assumed the role of Creative Director. Since then, sales have continued to grow and Gucci is more prominent than ever at world-class fashion events such as Fashion Week in Milan.
The brand continues to flourish as Gucci has become a 21st century master of social media and digital marketing strategies. Do you follow Gucci on the ‘gram?
Tell us…what’s your all-time favorite Gucci trend?
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