Gucci Beige Patent Belt
View Similar Items
Gucci Beige Patent Belt
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.
- Link Belt with Multi-Stone ClaspLocated in Alford, MADouble row gold metal link belt featuring a large clasp consisting of six rectangular, multicolored crystals.Category
1980s American Belts
- Red Snakeskin GlovesLocated in Alford, MAVintage red snakeskin gloves with with curved slits at wrists and black fabric on the underside. Red hand stitching all around. Size small - size unma...Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Gloves
- Vintage Bathing CapLocated in Alford, MAVintage taupe bathing cap in "pixie" fringe style with one rhinestone at top. Size Small.Category
1960s American Caps
- Birger Christensen Broadtail and Sable HatBy Birger ChristensenLocated in Alford, MABlack broadtail hat in cap style featuring a deep border of sable in light reddish brown - two luxury furs in one by noted furrier Birger Christensen of Denmark. Size S.Category
Late 20th Century Danish Hats
- Annabel Ingall Straw HatLocated in Alford, MAAustralian designer Annabel Ingall hat in bands of natural, melon, rust, and brown straw. High crown with small, turned-up brim. Looks unused.Category
Early 2000s Australian Hats
- 1960s Pink Velvet and Net FascinatorLocated in Alford, MAc.1960 fascinator consisting of a structured pink velvet ring under a coordinating deep net that extends from top of head down front and sides. One si...Category
Mid-20th Century American Hats
- CoCo Chanel Haute Couture Lion BeltBy ChanelLocated in Riverdale, NYCoCo Chanel early chain belt composed of signature curb chain with classic signature lions head motifs terminating in an adjustable pendant tassel. Coco Chanel synthesizes her favor...Category
1960s French Belts
- Hermès Piano Belt in Leather and CanvasBy HermèsLocated in Palm Beach, FLHermès Piano Belt in Leather and Canvas. The canvas is in great shape and does not have any stains or odors. This stunning Piano belt has three gold buckl...Category
1940s French Belts
- Gucci Belt Black Leather with Gold-plated Oversized Buckle with Gucci logoBy GucciLocated in 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NLGreat model this rare vintage 90s black leather Gucci belt with oversized gold-plated buckle. Size 80. Very good condition, usual scratches on the buckle as it has been worn. Total...Category
1990s Italian Belts
- D&G Chain Belt "Fate l'amore non la guerra" S/S 2003By D&G by DOLCE & GABBANALocated in Venezia, ITD&G Chain Belt "Fate l'amore non la guerra" S/S 2003 Measures: Length 103cm Materials: Leather / Chain Conditions: Very Good. - NO RETURN! If you need more information, please contac...Category
Early 2000s Italian Belts
- 2019's VERSACE Medusa Gold Baroque Women's Brown Leather Belt 75By Versace, Gianni VersaceLocated in PUTNEY, NSW19s Versace signature baroque high waisted belt, as seen on Rihanna. Feature Colour: Brown Material: Leather Condition: Good, some marks on the interio...Category
2010s European Belts
$394 Sale Price24% Off - Rare Chanel 1996 Couture Gripoix beltBy ChanelLocated in PARIS, FRRare Chanel Couture 1996 Gripoix belt, lion with green and red glass cabochon, black leather and rhinestones, 24k gold plated, one rhinestone is missing, very good condition, as seen...Category
1990s French Belts
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.