Gucci Wool Flannel Day Dress With Beading Detail
View Similar Items
Gucci Wool Flannel Day Dress With Beading Detail
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.
- Shamask White Linen Double Brested DusterBy Ronaldus ShamaskLocated in New York, NYRonaldus Shamask, simple, clean line, white linen duster/dress, with a flap lapel and double breasted closure.Category
1980s American Sheath Dresses
- Norman Norrel Ivory Moygashel Linen 2 piece Day EnsembleBy Norman NorellLocated in New York, NYIvory moygashel linen Norman Norrel 2 piece day dress. Sleeveless top is double breasted with slightly gathered straight skirt with 2 pockets.Category
1960s American Day Dresses
- Norell Linen Day DressLocated in New York, NYNorman Norell, Moygashel linen, black, day dress, having a fitted bodice, slightly capped sleeve, a rounded banded neckline, dropped waist with gathering at the hip with hidden pock...Category
1960s American Day Dresses
- Samuel Winston Gaberdine Day DressBy Norman NorellLocated in New York, NYWhite, wool gaberdine Samuel Winston, cap sleeve, A line dress designed by Norman Norell. Dress has off center seams on each side of the dress with covered button closures at the sho...Category
1960s American Day Dresses
- Shamask Silk Plissé SheathBy Ronaldus ShamaskLocated in New York, NYRonaldus Shamask, black, silk plissé, simple, dolman sleeve, long, sheath, having a boat neckline. C. early 80's.Category
1980s American Sheath Dresses
- John Galliano Jersey DressBy John GallianoLocated in New York, NYJohn Galliano, black and ivory jersey, deep V neck, dress having an ivory and navy blue print on half of the dress and a solid black on the other half. Bodice and waist have draping ...Category
Early 2000s Italian Day Dresses
- Leonard of Paris Fuschia Multi Color Silk Chiffon Strapless GownBy Leonard of ParisLocated in New York, NYVintage Leonard of Paris bright and flirty ruffled silk chiffon cocktail dress / evening gown, unmarked size, approximately US 6. Featuring four layer...Category
Late 20th Century French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Vivienne Westwood 1991-1992 Cupid dressBy Vivienne WestwoodLocated in CAPELLE AAN DEN IJSSEL, ZHThe Vivienne Westwood 1992 Putti Print Dress is a true gem from the iconic fashion designer's remarkable collection. The print was frist release...Category
1990s Day Dresses
$4,804 Sale Price20% Off - Maison Martin Margiela Spring 1999 Trompe-L'œil Semi Couture BodiceBy Maison Martin MargielaLocated in San Diego, CAMaison Martin Margiela dressmaker bodice in Trompe-L'œil printed cotton featured on the spring 1999 runway in look eight adorned with hook-and-eye closures, number, and lettered with...Category
1990s European Tunics and Wrap Dresses
- Black and White Tweed Dress Chanel 2010By ChanelLocated in Palm Beach, FLPretty dress in black and white cotton tweed, inclusion of glossy bluish line, pretty silver bonton interlacing of black leather and Chanel logo in the center, Collection 2010.Category
2010s French Informal Dresses
- HERMES Unworn Baroque Bodycon lycra Mini dress, 90sBy HermèsLocated in Genève, CHBeautiful vintage Hermès lycra sleeveless mini dress, from 90s period. This light turquoise/yellow/cream baroque print Hermes dress is in perfect conditio...Category
1990s Italian Mini Dress
- Maison Martin Margiela 1996SS Print DressBy Maison Martin MargielaLocated in Shibuya-Ku, 13Satinated dress with photographic print Made in Italy Fabric 100%Rayon Size/Measurements (approximate) Size M Bust 46.5cm (armpit to armpit) Length 101cm (centre back to hem) Condi...Category
1990s European Day 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.