Guccio Gucci, the mastermind behind the legendary House of Gucci, was born on March 26, 1881, in Florence, Italy, to a family of talented leather artisans. As a young man, he packed his bags and headed to London, where he took a job as a bellhop at The Savoy hotel.
By 1902, with a dream of one day putting his name on luxury bags, he returned to Florence. That dream became a reality in 1921 when he opened his first boutique on Via della Vigna Nuova. His secret sauce? A perfect blend of rich Tuscan craftsmanship with a refined English flair.
Guccio Gucci started experimenting with other materials like raffia, wicker, wood, linen, and jute, bringing fresh flair to his designs. That’s when the iconic rombi motif, one of Gucci’s signatures was born.
In 1947, Gucci crafted the now-iconic Bamboo bag, a true masterpiece born from ingenuity and skill. It wasn't just a handbag; it was a game-changer that blended practicality with beauty, setting the stage for the legendary Bamboo 1947 bag that would go on to define the House’s signature style.
1953 was a landmark year for Gucci, as the House made its bold leap beyond Italy’s borders, opening its very first store in the fashion capital of New York City. But that wasn’t all, this was also the year Gucci introduced footwear, and not just any footwear, but the iconic Horse bit loafer.
This era brought a wave of signature pieces that would become timeless icons, like the precursor to the Jackie 1961 bag, the unmistakable GG monogram, and the enchanting Flora motif.
By the mid-1960s, Gucci had fully embraced ready-to-wear, and by 1972, the brand made a bold statement with its first clothing-only store at 699 Fifth Avenue in New York City.
1994 Tom Ford: When Tom Ford took over as creative director in 1994, under his vision, Gucci became the epitome of luxurious, seductive glamour, think high-octane style with a hedonistic edge.
2006: Frida Giannini - After Tom Ford’s departure, Frida Giannini took the reins in 2006. Known for her deep understanding of Gucci’s history and heritage, her approach to Gucci was all about celebrating the brand’s iconic motifs, the green-and-red stripes, the horse bit, and of course, the GG monogram.
When Alessandro Michele took the reins as creative director in 2015, the brand became a riot of colours, textures, and unexpected pairings, an eclectic celebration of fashion’s limitless possibilities. He blurred the lines between masculinity and femininity, mixing vintage-inspired pieces with modern streetwear in a bold, maximalist style.
In 2023, Sabato De Sarno stepped in as Gucci’s creative director, bringing a fresh wave of energy to the iconic brand. Known for his quiet yet powerful influence in the fashion world, particularly after his time at Valentino, De Sarno arrived with a clear vision to guide Gucci into a new era.