gucci

GUCCI, the luxury brand of ready-to-wear clothing and leather work

According to Interbrand, Gucci ranks among the top 100 brands in the world. However, who invented it? What is the origin of this Italian empire? This article tells the story of the most popular brand in the world.

Origin of the brand

The Gucci brand took shape during the 1920s, in Florence-Italy, by Guccio Gucci, a leatherworker.

Legend has it that when this latter, worked in a hotel in England; he met high-end customers who walked around with leather accessories that reflected luxury, elegance and refinement.

Then he decided to return home to Italy to open a leather shop. 

In the beginning, he created leather bags and suitcases for the upper class, and his business worked very well.

After that, the equestrian world inspired Guccio Gucci and became the identity of the brand. Whether by depicting his items with horse's bit and stirrup patterns or with the green-red-green tricolor band.

The Florentine leather designer became very successful and drove his business towards new horizons. For instance: scarfs, then clothes. 

While many designers suspended their activity, due to the lack of fabrics and materials, after the end of the first World War. However, Guccio has not wavered and used his extraordinary creativity. He then amazed his customers by creating the bamboo bag, which remains on the market to this day.

Then, Gucci gradually opened two other stores. One in Rome, the other in Milan. And quickly the brand expanded internationally: the USA, London than Paris.

Moreover, the Italian designer had children, but these latters held only minority shares since their father remained in charge until his very last breath, in 1953.

Following Guccio Gucci's death, the brand attracted more and more celebrities of that moment, including First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. She inspired the creation of the "Jackie O" handbag.

Who is the owner of the brand, now?

As in any family business, the Gucci brothers had conflicts over the brand company's management and decided to sell all their shares to an investment company called Investcorp, in 1993.

Gucci declined and almost fell into oblivion. Fortunately, Investcorp had the ingenious idea to hire Tom Ford, a designer who breathed new life into the brand.

In 2003, the company was acquired by PPR (Pinault-Printemps-Redoute), a French company. A year later, Tom Ford resigned and was replaced by Frida Giannini, an excellent choice as her successor Alessandro Michele whose signature is his audacity.

Today, Marco Bizzarri, at the head of Gucci, rewrites the history of the brand. While relying on new trends and audacity, the CEO - Designer pair has kept Gucci's DNA.

Why is Gucci so successful?

The brand has experienced many twists and turns but has always risen stronger than ever by keeping the elements contributing to its success from the very beginning.

Also, all the managers who had the privilege to run the brand's administration have always made a wise choice by hiring designers full of creativity, and who are all Italian.

To sum up,

Gucci is a brand that innovates by combining luxury and modernity without erasing its past.