1970s Gucci Cotton Shirt Dress in Orange w/Butterfly Print
View Similar Items
1970s Gucci Cotton Shirt Dress in Orange w/Butterfly Print
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.
- Pierre Cardin Red Wool Dress w/Channel Stitched Design Motif ca. 1970By Pierre CardinLocated in Studio City, CAA circa 1970 Pierre Cardin long-sleeved tomato red wool dress with channel stitched design motif. The A-line overdress features an eight-inch center front slit just above the hem, de...Category
1970s French Day Dresses
- Yves Saint Laurent Red Wool Maxi Dress w/Blue & Green Colorblock TrimBy Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in Studio City, CAIconic Yves Saint Laurent red wool maxi dress with blue and green wool trim. The dress is being sold at a deep discount because it has several condition issues - the red interior sil...Category
1970s French Day Dresses
- Chanel 2006C Black Bodycon Dress w/Lace Cutouts & TrimBy ChanelLocated in Studio City, CAChanel 2006 Cruise collection fitted black ribbed stretchy dress featuring a deep V-neckline and transparent lace cutouts design motif below the bust and at the flounced high-low hem...Category
Early 2000s French Day Dresses
- 1970's Yves Saint Laurent YSL Teal Green Smock DressBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Studio City, CA1970's Yves Saint Laurent teal green smock dress featuring frontal pockets, a subtle slit at either side and 3/4 sleeves. Belt is not included. Size tag 36. In excellent condition. M...Category
1970s French Day Dresses
- Hussein Chalayan Cotton Jungle Print Sleeveless Summer DressBy Hussein ChalayanLocated in Studio City, CAHussein Chalayan cotton jungle print sleeveless pillowcase bubble dress with halter underlining. In excellent condition. Size 6. MEASUREMENTS (in inches): Bust - 32 Waist - Free Hip ...Category
Early 2000s British Day Dresses
- Ossie Clark For Radley Pink Crepe Maxi Dress With Keyhole NecklineBy Ossie ClarkLocated in Studio City, CA1970's Ossie Clark for Radley pink moss crepe maxi dress featuring a wrap skirt with extra long waist ties, a collared neckline with keyhole opening detail, fabric-covered buttons an...Category
1970s English Maxi Dresses
- 1970S MISSONI KNIT Style Burgundy Silk Long Sleeve Dress With Side SlitLocated in New York, NY1970S MISSONI KNIT Style Burgundy Silk Long Sleeve Dress With Side SlitCategory
1970s Italian Casual Dresses
- 1960S MAGGY ROUFF Persimmon Red Wool Blend Button Front Pleated Waist Day DressBy Maggy RouffLocated in New York, NY1960S MAGGY ROUFF Persimmon Red Wool Blend Button Front Pleated Waist Day DressCategory
1960s Casual Dresses
- 1940'S LORA LENOX Persimmon Red Rayon Crepe Rockabilly Lindy Hop Swing Dancer MLocated in New York, NY1940'S LORA LENOX Persimmon Red Rayon Crepe Rockabilly Lindy Hop Swing Dancer Music Note Print DressCategory
1940s Casual Dresses
- Vintage Mugler Aubergine Zip Up DressBy Mugler, Thierry MuglerLocated in London, GBA great vintage dress by Mugler, which could also be worn as a coat. The dress has a central zip opening ,four zip pockets and is fully lined.Category
1980s French Day Dresses
- VALENTINO red wool & silk EMBELLISHED Sleeveless Flared Dress 44 LBy ValentinoLocated in Zürich, CHauthentic Valentino sleeveless dress in red virgin wool 65% silk (35%) embellished with multicolor cabochon studs. Lined in red silk. Has been worn and is in excellent condition. Ta...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Shift Dresses
- LORO PIANA red silk cady JO Belted Shift Dress SBy Loro PianaLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Loro Piana Jo cady dress in red silk (100%) with a leather waist belt to slip on. Unlined. Has been worn and in excellent. Tag Size S Size S Shoulder Width 40cm (15....Category
21st Century and Contemporary Shift Dresses
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.