1960s Gucci Knit Polo Top
View Similar Items
1960s Gucci Knit Polo Top
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.
- 1990s Gianni Versace Couture Baroque and Carnation Print Silk ShirtBy Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in Toronto, OntarioAmazing Gianni Versace black label Couture silk shirt from the early 1990s. Front features baroque style and paisley details. Sleeves and back are ...Category
1990s Italian Blouses and Tops
- 1960's Vera Cotton Marigold BlouseBy VeraLocated in Toronto, OntarioVera cotton 3/4 length sleeve blouse from the 1960s. The blouse features a typical summery water color floral print of orange and yellow flowers wit...Category
1960s American Blouses
- 1990s Hermes Silk Cotton Bland Mosaic Tile Fish T-ShirtBy HermèsLocated in Toronto, OntarioSilk cotton blend Hermes t-shirt from the 1990s. Cream and beige all over mosaic tile print with accent yellow and turquoise tiles. Front features a tur...Category
1990s French T-Shirts
- 1970s Courreges Beige and Brown Logo HenleyBy CourrègesLocated in Toronto, OntarioJoin the logo mania trend with this very cute Courreges long sleeve henley from the 1970s. Beige cotton chocolate brown Courreges logos and chocolate brown collar and cuffs. Contrast...Category
1970s Belgian Shirts
- 2000s John Galliano Short Sleeve V Neck Graphic T-ShirtBy John GallianoLocated in Toronto, OntarioFun and vibrant John Galliano graphic, cotton, v neck, short sleeve t-shirt from the early 2000s. The orange, pink and yellow abstract background features a quirky doll with a bright...Category
Early 2000s French T-Shirts
- 1990s Gianfranco Ferre Tropical Print Silk TunicBy Gianfranco FerréLocated in Toronto, Ontario1990s Gianfranco Ferre tunic. Beautiful white silk with an all over earth tone tropical floral print. Print is embellished with meticulous embroidery. Embroidery has metallic thread ...Category
1990s Italian Tunics
- 1970'S Beige Men's Leather Suit & Silk Shirt With Boots (Size 12) SetLocated in New York, NY1970'S Beige Men's Leather Suit & Silk Shirt With Boots (Size 12) SetCategory
1970s T-Shirts
- Alexander McQueen nude pink viscose ASYMMETRIC Tank Top Shirt MBy Alexander McQueenLocated in Zürich, CHAlexander McQueen long asymmetrical tank-top in nude viscose (100%). Has been worn and is in excellent condition. Tag Size M Size M Bust 78cm (30.4in) Waist 94cm (36.7in) Hips 130c...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Tank Tops
- Eavis & Brown Embellished Victorian BlouseBy Eavis & BrownLocated in Scottsdale, AZNow this is what we call vintage! Circa 1980s straight from London, this hand made Eavis and Brown for Capriccio haute couture blouse is crafted from S...Category
1980s English Blouses and Tops
- 1960S Gold & Aqua Blue Beaded Wool Knit Shell TopLocated in New York, NYBeautifully hand made and fully lined in a silky cream rayon 1960S Gold & Aqua Blue Beaded Wool Knit Shell TopCategory
1960s Blouses and Tops
- 1920S Pink Silk Chiffon Scalloped Crystal Beaded Sleeveless Shell TopLocated in New York, NYIn wearable condition but does have some missing beads and small repairs. 1920S Pink Silk Chiffon Scalloped Crystal Beaded Sleeveless Shell TopCategory
1920s Blouses and Tops
- Victorian Ivory Linen & Cotton Men's Shirt From 1810-1830Located in New York, NYVictorian Ivory Linen & Cotton Men's Shirt From 1810-1830Category
Early 1900s T-Shirts
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.