GUCCI Queen Margaret Bee pea; crystal enamel double finger cocktail ring
View Similar Items
GUCCI Queen Margaret Bee pea; crystal enamel double finger cocktail ring
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.
- FENDI Monster Bug eye gold crystal pearl embellished rings US6.5 US4By FendiLocated in Hong Kong, NTFENDI Monster Bug eye gold crystal pearl embellished rings US6.5 US4 Reference: ANWU/A00152 Brand: Fendi Material: Metal Color: Gold Extra Detail: Monster Bug eye ring size US 6...Category
2010s Miscellaneous
- ALEXANDER MCQUEEN crystal encrusted double skull gold tone double ring 6.5By Alexander McQueenLocated in Hong Kong, NTALEXANDER MCQUEEN crystal encrusted double skull gold tone double ring 6.5 Reference: KEDG/A00021 Brand: Alexander McQueen Material: Metal...Category
2010s Miscellaneous
- FENDI 8AG827 gold tone blue floral petal spiral statement ring US7 MBy FendiLocated in Hong Kong, NTFENDI 8AG827 gold tone blue floral petal spiral statement ring US7 M Reference: ANWU/A00150 Brand: Fendi Material: Metal Color: Gold Pattern: Solid CONDITION: Condition: Exce...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Miscellaneous
- HERMES gold plated brass black leather open cuff minimal braceletBy HermèsLocated in Hong Kong, NTHERMES gold plated brass black leather open cuff minimal bracelet Reference: KEDG/A00010 Brand: Hermes Material: Leather Color: Black Pattern: So...Category
2010s Miscellaneous
- CHIC & MODE Alexandre Zouari sailor nautical tennis hair clip X4Located in Hong Kong, NTCHIC & MODE Alexandre Zouari sailor nautical tennis hair clip X4 Reference: ANWU/A00266 Brand: Chic and Mode Designer: Alexandre Zouari Material: ...Category
2010s French Miscellaneous
- CHIC & MODE Alexandre Zouari crystal red cat crystal hair tie clip comb X10Located in Hong Kong, NTCHIC & MODE Alexandre Zouari crystal red cat crystal hair tie clip comb X10 Reference: ANWU/A00233 Brand: Chic and Mode Designer: Alexandre Zouari Material: Plastic Color: Red ...Category
2010s French Miscellaneous
- Louis Vuitton Monogram Multicolor Art, Fashion and Architecture Book 40lvs115By Louis VuittonLocated in Dix hills, NYMade In: Printed In China Measurements: Length: 12" Width: 1.5" Height: 12.5" OVERALL GOOD CONDITION ( 7/10 or B ) Signs of Wear: Exterior Cover Protector : Minor Markings, Min...Category
20th Century Miscellaneous
- Chanel 20C CC Logo Brooch Pin Gold Golden 1CK419CBy ChanelLocated in Dix hills, NYChanel 20C CC Logo Brooch Pin Gold Golden 1CK419C Date Code/Serial Number: A20 C Made In: France Measurements: Length: 2" Width: .05" Height: 1.25" ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Miscellaneous
- Chanel White Cc Mini Phone Case Tote Holder Pouch 23c613By ChanelLocated in Dix hills, NY2.5 x 5.5 x 1.5 inches Good Condition (7/10 or B) Some marks and rubbingCategory
20th Century Miscellaneous
- Louis Vuitton White Multicolor Monogram Blanc Berlingo Coin Case Key Case 862134By Louis VuittonLocated in Dix hills, NYDate Code/Serial Number: Hard to Read Made In: France Measurements: Length: 3 " Width: 4.5" Height: 3" OVERALL GOOD CONDITION ( 7/10 or B ) Signs of Wear: Exterior Canvas: Ver...Category
20th Century Miscellaneous
- Louis Vuitton White Monogram Multicolor Card Case Portofo Photo 2 Vole 862r892By Louis VuittonLocated in Dix hills, NYVERY GOOD CONDITION (8/10 or AB) (Outside) partially rubs on the bottom (Outside) minor partially stains (Inside) minor rubs in the pocket (Inside) minor partially spots Width...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Miscellaneous
- Autumn Time chiffon scarf by Melanie Yazzie contemporary yellow pink black blueBy Melanie YazzieLocated in Santa Fe, NMAutumn Time chiffon scarf by Melanie Yazzie contemporary yellow pink black blue Scarf Melanie Yazzie Native American Navajo chiffon Lightweight and easy care chiffon fabric with di...Category
2010s American Scarves
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.