Gucci
Long before trend-bucking creative director Alessandro Michele brought his hallucinatory “Utopian Fantasy” campaign to Gucci, it was a modest Italian leather shop. Today, it’s an internationally renowned luxury house with an iconic logo, and vintage Gucci clothing, handbags and shoes are among high fashion's most covetable goods.
Guccio Gucci (1881–1953) admired the stylish suitcases he saw wealthy guests arrive with at the Savoy Hotel in London, where he worked as a bellhop. So, in 1921, after a stint at Franzi, a luggage company in his hometown of Florence, he opened a leather goods shop of his own.
At first, Gucci’s Florence business specialized in equestrian accessories. But as its reputation flourished, particularly among the English aristocracy, so too did its footprint. In 1938, he brought three of his sons — Aldo, Vasco and Rodolfo — into the business and expanded it to Rome and later Milan. In the mid-1930s, a League of Nations embargo against Italy pushed Gucci to experiment with alternatives to imported leather. Its woven hemp fabric from Naples, adorned with the brand’s signature diamond print, was a hit, especially among A-list celebrities. The material was first used on suitcases before finding enduring popularity on handbags. (No list of revered designer purses would be complete without Gucci.)
In the 1950s, Elizabeth Taylor carried one of Gucci’s bamboo-handled tote bags, another adaptation to material rationing. After Jackie Kennedy was seen sporting a slouchy Gucci tote in 1961, it was renamed for the First Lady. Then Grace Kelly, on a visit to the boutique in Milan, inspired Rodolfo Gucci to work with Italian illustrator and Gucci textile designer Vittorio Accornero on the Flora print in 1966. Taking cues from Sandro Botticelli’s Primavera, with its pattern of flora and insects, it was painted entirely by hand and featured no fewer than 37 colors.
In 1953, just 15 days after opening his first store on New York’s 5th Avenue, Guccio passed away at 72. The early 1970s saw store openings in Tokyo and Hong Kong, but by the late 1980s, Gucci was floundering. Rodolfo Gucci took charge in 1982, but family drama and lawsuits ensued. In 1993, Rodolfo’s son, Maurizio, transferred his shares in the company to Investcorp, ending the family’s involvement in Gucci. Dawn Mello, then-president of Bergdorf Goodman, joined as creative director in 1989. But it was Tom Ford, who took over as creative director in 1994, who ultimately revived the brand.
Ford’s racy ads, shot by photographers such as Mario Testino, stirred controversy. And his potent vision of sexed-up femininity — with “jewel-toned satin shirts unbuttoned to there,” as Vogue described his breakthrough 1995 runway show — was wildly successful. The new millennium brought new ownership — Pinault Printemps Redoute in 2004 — and a more toned-down vision from Frida Giannini, who became sole creative director in 2006. Alessandro Michele was named creative director in 2015, and the storied brand took a giant leap forward.
Find vintage Gucci clothing and accessories on 1stDibs.
1990s Gucci
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1990s Italian Gucci
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21st Century and Contemporary French Gucci
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1990s American Gucci
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21st Century and Contemporary French Gucci
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Early 2000s Italian Gucci
Early 2000s Italian Gucci
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Early 2000s Italian Gucci
1990s Italian Gucci
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Designers Similar to Gucci
- Are Gucci watches good?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Gucci watches are more fashion than function, so if you want a super-stylish watch that simply tells time, a Gucci watch is great. However, if you're looking for a highly functional one, you may want to look at watch brands known for their functionality, such as Rolex.
- Who designs Gucci?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022At Gucci, the creative director primarily designs the fashions and accessories. Alessandro Michele took on the role of creative director for Gucci in 2015. Previous Gucci creative directors include founder Guccio Gucci, Tom Ford and Frida Giannini. Shop a curated collection of Gucci apparel on 1stDibs.
- What did Tom Ford do at Gucci?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 21, 2024At Gucci, Tom Ford served as the creative director from 1994 to 2004. He infused the brand with fresh sensuality and a bold style. His fall 1995 show, in which Kate Moss walked down the runway in an unbuttoned satin shirt, velvet hip-huggers and tousled hair, heralded an exciting, glammed-up era for the brand. As Ford shot to fame, he continued to explore plunging necklines, such as in the black and white looks of the Fall 1996 collection, and sumptuous fabrics like leather and tweed. The Fall 2000 ready-to-wear collection ranged from sultry silk evening dresses to plush belted coats. He also cranked up the seduction in the provocative ads for the fashion house. On 1stDibs, shop a diverse assortment of Gucci apparel and accessories.
- Who resurrected Gucci?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMay 30, 2024Tom Ford resurrected Gucci. By the late 1980s, the Italian fashion house was floundering, but that changed when Ford took over as creative director in 1994. His racy ads, shot by photographers such as Mario Testino, stirred controversy. And his potent vision of sexed-up femininity — with "jewel-toned satin shirts unbuttoned to there," as Vogue described his breakthrough 1995 runway show — was wildly successful. On 1stDibs, find a large selection of Gucci apparel and accessories.
- Where does Gucci get its fabric?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Gucci states that 95% of their manufacturers are based in Italy, but they have both internal facilities and facilities that are not managed by Gucci directly. The brand is proud of the fact that most of its items are primarily made in Italy. Shop a collection of Gucci items from some of the worlds top boutiques on 1stDibs
- What is Gucci ophidia?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Gucci Ophidia is a line of handbags from a collection that premiered in 2018. Primarily crafted from canvas, the iconic stripe and webbed design exudes vintage charm. You’ll find a variety of Gucci handbags from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Gucci Marmont is a collection of handbags crafted with matelassé leather. Matelassé is the stitching technique that gives Marmont bags their classic padded look. You’ll find a variety of Gucci Marmont bags from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 15, 2024Yes, Paolo Gucci did design for Gucci. He took over the Italian luxury fashion house in the years following the death of his father, founder Guccio Gucci, in 1953. Paolo served as the chief designer for the maison during the 1960s. On 1stDibs, shop a large selection of Gucci apparel and accessories.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021You can tell if a Gucci belt is real by looking at the sticker on the Gucci belt that contains a serial number and phrase “Made in Italy”. The serial number should be 21 digits long and will typically begin with the numbers 223 or 114. Many knockoff Gucci belts have serial numbers beginning with 1212.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021The best way to distinguish whether or not a Gucci purse is real is by looking for the serial number tag. These are typically located on the leather patch on the top of the inside. Find a variety of authentic Gucci handbags and purses on 1stDibs.Couture ClosetsMarch 21, 2021Stitching Should Be Even, Interior Tag Should Be Intact, Monogram Pattern Should Be Clear and Symmetric, Hardware Should Be Top Quality, Body Made From Premium Leather, Check Dustbag and Authenticity Cards, Logo Should Be Clear & Precise.
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 8, 2024To date a vintage Gucci bag, locate its serial number. You can usually find it on the reverse of the logo-stamped leather label inside the bag. While this number doesn't tell you the year of production, it does provide the style and batch numbers of the bag. Once you have the serial number, you can look it up in trusted online databases to find out when your bag was produced. If your bag doesn't have a serial number, it likely dates to before 1960, when Gucci first introduced serial numbers. Should you have difficulty determining the age of your bag, a certified appraiser or other knowledgeable expert can assist you. Explore a large selection of vintage and contemporary Gucci bags on 1stDibs.
- How do I wear Gucci fur loafers?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022How to wear Gucci fur loafers comes down to a matter of preference. Loafers can be dressed up with tights or paired with jeans for a casual look. For extended product life, take special care to protect them from direct light, heat and rain. Shop a collection of Gucci loafers on 1stDibs.
- How do I protect Gucci canvas?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To protect a Gucci canvas item, rake the surface with a toothbrush or small-bristled brush to remove dirt. For more heavily soiled canvas, spot clean the canvas with a sponge and soapy water by dabbing, not rubbing, the area. You’ll find a large collection of Gucci canvas items on 1stDibs.
- What do I wear with Gucci mules?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022What to wear with Gucci mules really comes down to personal preference! Boasting an open back and a sleek design, you can dress Gucci mules up with tights or pair them with jeans for a laid-back look. On 1stDibs, find a collection of Gucci footwear from some of the world’s top sellers.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The way you style Gucci Blooms slides is a matter of preference. Whether you pick out a pair of heeled or sandal slides, the floral print will enhance any outfit, and these backless shoes can be paired with jeans and a casual tee as often as they can with a short sleeve vintage day dress. Find a wide variety of Gucci Blooms slides on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 15, 2024To tell if Gucci clothes are real, compare the brand tags to images found on trusted online resources. Often, counterfeits will have slight variations in the font, positioning or text size that make them relatively simple to identify. Also, the tag should be securely sewn onto the garment. Loose tags will usually indicate a reproduction. Feel the fabric and examine the seams if the tag doesn't yield any clues. Gucci knitwear typically features heavy fabrics that feel soft, while replicas may feature thinner or stiffer materials. All seams on authentic Gucci pieces should be evenly stitched and tight. Loose threads and uneven and misaligned stitching will usually indicate a fake. When in doubt, have a certified appraiser or expert authenticator assist you with the authentication process. Find a wide range of Gucci apparel on 1stDibs.
- Is vintage Gucci worth it?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 24, 2024Many fashion aficionados believe that vintage Gucci is worth it. Gucci is an internationally renowned luxury house with an iconic logo, and vintage Gucci clothing, handbags and shoes are among the most covetable goods in high fashion.
Some of the Italian luxury fashion house's most acclaimed pieces include the bamboo-handled handbags from the 1940s, the horse-bit bags from the 1950s and the Jackie bag of the 1960s.
However, whether or not it’s worth investing in Gucci pieces is totally subjective! At 1stDibs, we believe in buying what you love. Our shopping experience enables discovery and learning, whether you are a seasoned connoisseur or just beginning your collection.
Find Gucci pieces and other apparel, bags and accessories on 1stDibs. - 1stDibs ExpertMarch 31, 2023To tell how old a Gucci bag is, find the serial number located inside the bag. Usually, it will appear on the back of the leather Gucci tag sewn into the interior. Once you locate the number, consult trusted online resources to determine which bag corresponds to it. You may also be able to receive assistance from Gucci customer service once you have the serial number. Gucci began in 1921 as a modest Italian leather shop. Today, it’s an internationally renowned luxury house with an iconic logo, and vintage Gucci clothing, handbags and shoes are among high fashion's most covetable goods. On 1stDibs, shop a range of Gucci bags from some of the world's top boutiques.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Gucci features varying warranties against manufacturer defects depending on the product. Watches feature a two-year warranty with certificate, while their warranty certificates for bags offer lifetime coverage. Check to see the specifics of a warranty certificate included with your purchase. Find a large collection of authentic Gucci products on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022No. While Gucci doesn’t participate in Cyber Monday sales, you will be able to find genuine Gucci items, new or vintage, from the luxury fashion house on trusted online platforms at great price points. On 1stDibs, find a variety of authentic Gucci pieces.