Gucci tweed and leather blazer, c. 1980s
View Similar Items
Gucci tweed and leather blazer, c. 1980s
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.
- Worlds End dove grey cotton gauze oversized 'Punkature' jacket, ss 1983By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GBWorlds End by Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren; Oversized dove grey cotton gauze jacket. Extra long sleeves, inverted frayed seams and square cut shoulders. Worn open with no cl...Category
1980s British Jackets
- Dolce & Gabbana mauve leather buckled bondage jacket, ss 2003By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GB▪ Dolce & Gabbana mauve leather bondage jacket ▪ 100% Lambskin Leather ▪ Metal zip fastenings on sleeves, collar, back and front ▪ Seventeen metal buckl...Category
Early 2000s Italian Jackets
- Alexander McQueen embroidered tailored 'Sarabande' jacket, c. 2007By Alexander McQueenLocated in London, GBAn Alexander McQueen tailored embroidered jacket from the 'SARABANDE' collection, Spring/Summer 2007. The jacket has scalloped edges with pleated trimmings throughout and black floral embroidery. French 40 - UK 12 - Italian 44 - Medium About the collection... "The inspiration is Handel’s Sarabande of the title – a majestic and elegant dance – the portraits of Goya, the turn of the century exotic and socialite Marchesa Luisa Casati and garden flowers. As always, there is a melancholic undertone: faded flowers are trapped in chiffon and lace, ruffled skirts constructed out of tiers of delicate petals and prints are botanical – brightly coloured birds and blooms, scattering swallows and winding stems of leaves. Show pieces include a dress made entirely out of frozen flowers. Tailoring is this time more fluid than it has been and clothing indebted to horsemanship is worn with finely worked, oversized pirate shirts...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Jackets
- John Galliano dusty teal wool double breasted blazer jacket, fw 1988By John GallianoLocated in London, GB▪ John Galliano dusty teal double breasted blazer jacket ▪ 100% Wool ▪ 100% Silk lining ▪ Capelet panel to one shoulder fastening through a belt loop on opposite hip ▪ Asymmetric he...Category
1980s British Jackets
- Vivienne Westwood unisex multicoloured striped satin evening jacket S/S 1993By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GBSpring-Summer 1993Category
1990s British Jackets
- Gianni Versace white leather backless lace up fringed jacket, ss 2002By Versace, Gianni VersaceLocated in London, GB▪ Gianni Versace white leather jacket ▪ Open back with leather lace-up fastening ▪ Leather fringes on sleeves, cuffs and waist ▪ Braided leather detail on seams ▪ Zip front faste...Category
Early 2000s Italian Jackets
- Krizia Plaid Wool and Silk Jacket 1980's Sz 42By KriziaLocated in Los Angeles, CAFanstastic classic Krizia Blazer circa 1980's Neutral plaid Marble acetate buttons at cuff and center Fully lined Outer is 70% Wool, 30% Silk Lining is 100% rayon, feels like silk Ma...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Jackets
- CHANEL & Karl Lagerfeld 03P 2003 Spring Runway jacket y2kBy Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld for ChanelLocated in Алматинский Почтамт, KZCHANEL & Karl Lagerfeld 03P 2003 Spring Runway jacket y2k Karl Lagerfeld for Channel Collection: 2003 Spring / summer Ready-to-Wear (look: 44/90) Chanel style: 03p / B2239 / P21284W0...Category
Early 2000s French Jackets
- Gianfranco Ferre BlazerBy Gianfranco FerréLocated in New York, NYPlayful red and white striped blazer with faux shirt sleeves at cuffs and strong gold buttons. Shoulders 16 in Bust 36 in Waist 32 in Length 29 in Sleeve 24 in Marked Size US 6 Good...Category
1990s Blazers
- Hermes Martin Margiela Era JacketBy HermèsLocated in Venezia, ITRare Hermes Martin Margiela Jacket 1990s - NO RETURNS If you need more information, please contact us!Category
1990s Jackets
- Victor Costa Handpainted Floral BlazerBy Victor CostaLocated in Waterford, MIHand painted floral blazer. Front button. Collared. Shoulder pads. Lined. *Condition: Excellent vintage condition. No visible Flaws. Measurements Taken Laying Flat (inches)— Should...Category
1980s Blazers
- Gianfranco Ferre Checkered VestBy Gianfranco FerréLocated in Waterford, MIBrown and tan checkered vest. Lapel collar. Front button closures. Pockets at chest and waist. Lined. Viscose. Made in Italy. *Condition: excellent vintage condition. No visible fl...Category
1980s Vests
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.