New GUCCI Men's Runway 1953 Horsebit CROCODILE Maritime Loafers 8.5
View Similar Items
New GUCCI Men's Runway 1953 Horsebit CROCODILE Maritime Loafers 8.5
About the Item
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.
- New Alexander McQueen Black Velvet Crystal Embellished Ivy Cage Sandals 37.5By Alexander McQueenLocated in Montgomery, TXNew Alexander McQueen *Ofelia* Black Velvet Crystal Embellished Cage Sandals Designer size - 37.5 Ivy Embroidery, Emerald Green and Clear Swarovski Crystals, Black Velvet, Buckle Clo...Category
2010s Italian High Heels
- F/W 99 Tom Ford for Gucci Black Onyx Embellished Velvet Knee Boots 37.5 7.5By Tom Ford for Gucci, GucciLocated in Montgomery, TXTom Ford for Gucci Runway Black Velvet Knee Boots Vintage F/W 1999 Runway Collection Designer size 37.5 B - US 7.5 Sexy and Elegant Style, Embellished with Genuine Onyx...Category
1990s Italian Boots
- New $2.470 Roberto Cavalli Black Leather Swarovski Iconic Scull Boots 38.5 - 8.5By Roberto CavalliLocated in Montgomery, TXNew Roberto Cavalli Black Leather Embellished Boots Designer size 38.5 - US 8.5 100% Leather, Iconic Scull and Snake Gold-tone Metallic Design Adorned with Swarovski Crystals & Enam...Category
Early 2000s Italian Boots
$1,116 Sale Price30% Off - New Alexander McQueen S/S 2012 Leather Studded Horn Heel Platform Sandals 38.5By Alexander McQueenLocated in Montgomery, TXAlexander McQueen Black Leather Studded Cage Platform Sandals S/S 2012 Collection Italian size - 38.5 ( US 8.5) The perfect amount of luxury, elegance, strength and severity. Adorned...Category
2010s Italian High Heels
- NWT Etro Black Velour Embroidered Beaded Women's Plats Loafers Italian 36By EtroLocated in Montgomery, TXNew Etro Black Velour Fully Embellished Flats Loafers Italian size - 36 Black Velour Upper Fully Embroidered and Beaded, Leather Insole and Sole. Embroidery on loafers says - The Kal...Category
2010s Italian Low Heels
- New Belstaff Runway GAINSBOROUGH Leather Black Knee-High Boots 39.5 - US 9.5By BelstaffLocated in Montgomery, TXNew Belstaff Runway GAINSBOROUGH Leather Boots Designer size 39.5 - US 9.5 For the Perfect Textured Look, this Smooth and Pebble-Grain Calfskin Silhouette with Sleek Metal Hardware ...Category
2010s Italian Boots
$956 Sale Price20% Off
- new VERSACE black gold buckle sling back black 130mm platform loafer EU37By Donatella Versace, VersaceLocated in Hong Kong, NTnew VERSACE black gold buckle sling back black 130mm platform loafer EU37 Reference: TGAS/C01779 Brand: Versace Designer: Donatella Versace Model: 1000820 1A00633 1B00V Collecti...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown High Heels
- VERSACE black leather sandals with metallic stiletto heel Sz 41By VersaceLocated in Montgomery, TXVERSACE Black leather ankle strap sandals Finished with metallic stiletto heel IT Size 41 Made in Italy Brand new. In VERSACE box.Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Heels
- Rare Manolo Blahnik Shoes Vintage Ankle Strap Heels With Crystals Size 37By Manolo BlahnikLocated in Portland, ORThese gorgeous vintage Manolo Blahnik shoes appear to have only been worn once, if ever! The incredible shoes have absolutely stunning cr...Category
1990s Italian Heels
- Nicholas Kirkwood Patent Leather and Glitter T Strap Platform Sandals Size 39By NICHOLAS KIRKWOODLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2In a glorious mix of patent leather and glitter comes these sandals from Nicholas Kirkwood for you to waltz in glamour. The sandals feature crisscross straps and a T strap attached t...Category
2010s Italian Sandals
- Miu Miu Blue Suede Tassel Detail Peep Toe Platform Pumps Size 39By Miu MiuLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2Match your outfit with these suede pumps and complete your look. This pair of pumps from Miu Miu features fine designing and exquisite craftsmanship. They are adorned with tassels on...Category
2010s Italian Heels
- Balenciaga Black Leather and Mesh Race Runner Sneakers Size 40By BalenciagaLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2The Balenciaga Race Runner sneakers have been crafted from quality materials and feature a chic silhouette. They flaunt covered toes, strap detailing on the vamps, and tie-up fasteni...Category
2010s Italian Shoes
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
Explore a Century of Gucci Fashion in London
The iconic Italian label’s traveling exhibition has just arrived in London.
The Stories behind the Most Famous Luxury Fashion Logos
From Chanel to YSL, the logos of some legacy fashion houses spark instant brand recognition and have come to symbolize a kind of luxury that feels at once aspirational and attainable.