Gucci by Frida Giannini black lycra multi-strapped bodysuit, ss 2010
View Similar Items
Gucci by Frida Giannini black lycra multi-strapped bodysuit, ss 2010
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.
- Balmain jacquard lame evening blazer, c. 2010By Christopher Decarnin, BalmainLocated in London, GBA rare and highly sought after Balmain evening blazer from the Fall 2010 runway collection, designed by Christophe Decarnin. The blazer is in a high quality jacquard fabric with gold...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Lingerie
- Vivienne Westwood black velvet button-up corset, fw 1998By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GB▪ Vivienne Westwood black velvet corset ▪ 77% Cotton, 21% Rayon, 2% Lycra ▪ Large orb buttons ▪ Front zip closure ▪ UK 12 - FR 40 - US 8 ▪ Fall-Winter 1998Category
1990s Italian Corsets
- Dolce & Gabbana black knitted wool strapless corset, fw 2010By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GB▪ Dolce & Gabbana black knitted corset ▪ 45% Wool, 28% Acrylic, 10% Nylon, 6% Merinos Wool, 6% Polyester, 3% Alpaca, 2% Angora ▪ Lining: 50% Virgin Wool, 48% Silk, 2% Elastane ▪ In...Category
2010s Italian Corsets
- Dolce & Gabbana black corset and leggings set, fw 1992By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GB▪ Dolce & Gabbana black corset suit ▪ Satin corset with attached white cotton shirt collar and cuffs ▪ Internal boning ▪ Wool jersey sleeves ▪ Extra long ruched wool jersey legging...Category
1990s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Gianni Versace beaded halterneck corset bra with crystal embellishment, fw 1989By Gianni VersaceLocated in London, GB▪ Gianni Versace silk corset bra ▪ Fully beaded with black and clear beads ▪ Crystal embellishment ▪ Halterneck ▪ Hook fastenings at centre back ▪ IT 4...Category
1980s Italian Corsets
- Vivienne Westwood black velvet corset and pants ensemble, fw 1992By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GBVivienne Westwood black velvet corset and pants ensemble. Fall-Winter 1992Category
1990s British Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- F/W 2004 Christian Dior by John Galliano Brown Cheetah Print Silk Blend RobeBy John Galliano for Christian Dior, Christian DiorLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a brown cheetah print Christian Dior robe, designed by John Galliano. From the Fall/Winter 2004 'gambler' collection, this robe boasts a cheetah print that was heavily used in the collection 1. While this is a dressing robe...Category
Early 2000s French Robes
- Jean Paul Gaultier F/W 1996 Brazilian Currency print BodysuitBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in Rome, ITJean Paul Gaultier spandex one-piece backless bodysuit with Brazilian Currency print, inspired by the “Mil Cruzeiro” bill, from the Fall/Winter 1996 co...Category
1990s Italian Swimwear
- Torso Creations Camo Print Cotton & Hand-Crochet Halter BraletteBy Torso CreationsLocated in Gresham, ORTorso Creations camouflage-print cotton bralette with hand-crochet peek-a-boo ring detailing. Ties at neck and back to accommodate up to a Medium size...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Bikinis
- 1990s Bill Blass Rope Strap Black Nautical One Piece Vintage Swimsuit BodysuitBy Bill BlassLocated in San Diego, CAChic vintage BILL BLASS black one piece swimsuit or bodysuit! Features chic tan rope straps that add just the right amount of jazz to this figure flaunting piece! Great alone for the...Category
1990s American Swimwear
$393 Sale Price25% Off - Vintage Moschino 1990s Black and White Velour Pearl Encrusted Bodysuit SwimsuitBy MoschinoLocated in San Diego, CASexy 90s MOSCHINO black velour bodysuit, encrusted with white pearls! Features a soft crushed velour that stretches to fit. Flat headed pearls adorn the top portion on the front and ...Category
1990s Italian Bodysuits
$500 Sale Price23% Off - 1970s Bill Blass Brown White One Shoulder Vintage One Piece Swimsuit BodysuitBy Bill BlassLocated in San Diego, CASexy 70s BILL BLASS chocolate brown and white one shoulder swimsuit or bodysuit! Features a sloped with stripe at waistband, and above the bust. Built i...Category
1970s American Swimwear
$460 Sale Price20% Off
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.