In spite of seducing Jackie Onassis (their bag entitled Jackie O is still one of the key items and bestsellers of the brand), Grace Kelly, Clark Gable, Katherine Hepburn, Liz Taylor, The Beatles and Rod Stewart for their made-to-measure service and quality, the brand went almost bankrupt in the 80’s.
The arrival of Tom Ford in the 90’s as head of the Design Department was the start to a new direction of the well established and powerful brand we all know today. Ford brought a sense of provocation to the Gucci name, a direction that Frida Giannini, Gucci’s designer since 2006 and former head of accessories design department, subtly influenced into a sensible, discrete femininity, while still keeping a well commercial vision and understanding.
For more information, stories around the label and previously unreleased comments and pictures, please take a look at this 384 pages heavy book – I browsed through it enchanted for hours.
Gucci, the making of – edition Rizzoli
Aldo Gucci in front of his store in the 40’s
After their african trip for the movie “The African Queen“, Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall and Katherine Hepburn arrive in London Airport, 1951 – wearing Gucci.
Clark Gable purchasing his Gucci and giving an autograph to M. Guccio Gucci
Vintage Gucci luggage in 1937
Liz Taylor and Paul Newman during the rehearsal of “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof“, 1958 – Liz Taylor is wearing the famous bamboo bag.
The Gucci bamboo – small version
The Gucci canvas “diamond”
Opening of a Gucci store in the 60’s
Jackie Kennedy Onassis and her Gucci bag
Jackie O bag today
Opening of the Gucci store in New York in the 70’s
Peter Sellers and Brit Eklund in the 70’s – picture used as publicity last years campaign “Timeless” released for the watch collection
… and the secret of Jackie O bags fabrication.
