Gucci Canvas Flora Snake Print Men's Espadrilles (10 US)
View Similar Items
Gucci Canvas Flora Snake Print Men's Espadrilles (10 US)
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.
- Christian Louboutin Grey & Brown Wool Peep Toe Deroba Wedge Espadrilles (37 EU)By Christian LouboutinLocated in Montreal, QuebecCOLOR: grey and brown MATERIAL: Wool. Straw and leather SIZE: 37 EU HEEL HEIGHT: 100 mm (4 inches) COMES WITH: Dust bag CONDITION: Bottoms are worn with stains & scuffs, but the to...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoes
- Celine Croc Embossed Leather Wedge Espadrille (38.5 EU)By CelineLocated in Montreal, QuebecCeline croc embossed brown leather espadrille 100 mm wedge. COLOR: Brown MATERIAL: Leather & fabric SIZE: 38.5 EU / 7.5 US HEEL HEIGHT: 100 mm (1 inch) ES...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Shoes
- Balenciaga Calf Hair Ankle Boot in Burgundy (40 EU)By BalenciagaLocated in Montreal, QuebecThese heels feature a burgundy calf hair exterior, a light brown leather interior, a 4.24 inch heel, and black soles. COLOR: Burgundy MATERIAL: Calf hair ITEM CODE: 299974 SIZE: 40 ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoes
- Dior Vintage Gold Silk Embellished Open Toe Heel (EU 37)By Christian DiorLocated in Montreal, QuebecCOLOR: Gold MATERIAL: Silk embellished uppers/leather bottoms SIZE: 37 EU / 6 US HEEL HEIGHT: 100 mm / 4” COMES WITH: Dust bag and box CONDITION: Very good - looks never used. Like ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Shoes
- Alexander McQueen Optic Snake Nappa London Sand Russet Stiletto (40 EU)By Alexander McQueenLocated in Montreal, QuebecCOLOR: Sand russet MATERIAL: Leather ITEM CODE: 261556 SIZE: 40 EU / 9 US HEEL HEIGHT: 147 mm (5.8 in) COMES WITH: Dust box and original box CONDITION: Excell...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoes
- Alexander McQueen Western Leather Bandolero Brandy Sandal Heel (41 EU)By Alexander McQueenLocated in Montreal, QuebecCOLOR: Brandy (mixture of orange and brown) MATERIAL: Leather with wood heel ITEM CODE: 266184 SIZE: 41 EU / 10 US HEEL HEIGHT: 147 mm (5.8 in) COMES WITH: Original box CONDITION: Ex...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoes
- Donna Karan Suede Ankle Wrap Sandals 1990's Size 6.5By Donna KaranLocated in Los Angeles, CA1990's Donna Karan Suede Flats Open Toe Ankle Wrap Suede self covered slight wedge Size 6.5, fits true Bottom shows wear, upper in good condition, minor wear Made in ItalyCategory
Late 20th Century Italian Shoes
- Stephane Kélian Woven 4 inch Pump Size FR 5.5 US 7.5By Stephane KélianLocated in Los Angeles, CAQuintessential Woven Pointed Toe Pump Stephane Kélian 1990's 4 Inch Heel Braided Ankle Strap Detail Size equivalent to US 7.5 Upper in great condition, soles shows moderate wear ...Category
Late 20th Century French Shoes
- HERMÈS Silver Metallic Leather Ballerina HERMÈS SAD Palladie Clasp Flats Size 38By HermèsLocated in London, GBHERMÈS Silver Metallic Leather Ballerina HERMÈS SAD Palladie Clasp Flats Size 38.5 Hermès ballerina Street in silver with SAD PALLADIE, Hermès Logo Clasp. These flats open peep toe ballerinas are handcrafted with Veau Specchio leather in argent-silver metallic colour with Hermès palladié-palladium clasp trunk lock. Small flat heels, the leather padded insole are in tan colour with Hermès logo stamp...Category
2010s French Shoes
- PRADA Baby pink embroidered Paillettes and pearls ballerina FW1999By PradaLocated in Paris, FRTag: PRADA Size 40 ( IT ) / 9 US / 7,5 UK Lenght: 28cm/ 11,02 inches Comes with bags and original box Good vintage condition, 1 paillette is missing on a side and 2 littles ones on the front Shipping worldwide with tracking numberCategory
1990s European Shoes
- Yves Saint Laurent Resort 2010 Lace-up pointed toe leather heelsBy Stefano Pilati for Yves Saint Laurent, Saint LaurentLocated in Milano, IT- Runway Look 14 - Sold by Skof.Archive - Designed by Stefano Pilati - Brown leather closed toe - Open back featuring a brown leather straps that wrap and climb the ankle - Without...Category
2010s French Shoes
$481 Sale Price20% Off - Louis Vuitton Dusty Pink Nubuck Leather Wedge SneakersBy Louis VuittonLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2Coming in a classic silhouette, these designer sneakers are a seamless combination of luxury, comfort, and style. These sneakers are designed with signature details and comfortable i...Category
2010s European 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.