Gucci is undoubtedly one of the most recognizable fashion brands in the world. Its designs are available worldwide, and the famous logo with two "G" letters is one of the most frequently counterfeited logos in the fashion industry. These two "G"s, of course, refer to the name and surname of the empire's founder, Guccio Gucci. What is his story?
Guccio Gucci was born in the 1880s as the son of a hatter. His family was linked with Florence, where young Guccio grew with an appreciation for the beautiful garments of the wealthy elite. He observed them, among others, in one of the Florentine hotels, where he met one of his first mentors - an elegant doorman. He told Gucci about the world of luxury, its splendors and shadows, and this motivated him to travel to London to search and develop his passion. At that time, Italy was not as stable a country as England. Just a few decades earlier, Italy had finally unified, the country was characterized by significant social stratification, and Gucci's ambitions went considerably beyond the status of his family.
Products in the Vitkac store:
Gucci
Short-sleeved dress
Gucci
Fur coat
Gucci
Lace-trimmed dress
From Florence to London and Back
In London, Guccio Gucci managed to get a job as a porter at the elegant and luxurious Savoy hotel. It was not easy, as he initially did not know the language and had no experience in hotel work. However, his ability and willingness to work hard, which the future businessman was born with, helped him get the coveted position. Gucci was in daily contact with the wealthy from around the world, observing their manners, but above all their outfits, in which he always found something fascinating.
At the beginning of the 20th century, however, Guccio Gucci returned to Florence. Here he met his chosen one and future wife, Alda. His love turned out to be forbidden, as Alda already had a child out of wedlock. However, Gucci accepted her as his own and against the opinion of the family, he married Alda, with whom he had four sons and a daughter. Before Gucci decided to fulfill his dream of his own store with elegant accessories, the First World War and a series of daily obstacles awaited him. However, he overcame each of them with great determination, so in the 1920s he managed to open his first boutique with leather goods. Among them, travel bags and riding bags were the most popular. Guccio Gucci had a talent for finding materials, modern details and for creating a logo, which has almost not changed its form to this day.
Products in the Vitkac store:
PERMANENT COLLECTION
Gucci
Scarf with logo
Gucci
‘Sylvie 1969’ shoulder bag
PERMANENT COLLECTION
Gucci
‘Ophidia’ shoulder bag
Guccio Gucci Builds the Foundations of the Empire
The subsequent decades brought more and more successes to the Gucci family. Guccio was very knowledgeable about business, he had an ease of making contacts, and thanks to his experience working abroad he could freely converse with wealthy clientele from other countries. By the end of the 1930s he managed to fulfill another dream and open the flagship store of the brand in Rome. Rome was prestigious for Gucci and opened the way for him to the whole of Europe. Already then, the designer knew that his company had global potential, and the growing sons, who were getting an insight into the business, were his hope for building a great Gucci family legacy.
Unfortunately, even before Gucci's death, the family business began to turn into family hell. It might be a question of famous Italian temperament, or perhaps the matter of a huge sum of money that went hand in hand with the rights to the family business. The Gucci brand in the second half of the 20th century became an arena for the sons and grandsons of Guccio Gucci, who died in 1953. In the same year, the company opened its store on Manhattan, which was supposed to seal the global expansion of the brand. The heirs of Gucci's inheritance, however, for many decades could not come to an agreement and almost squandered the father's legacy. In the 90s, help came from François-Henri Pinault, who bought the company, thereby expanding the portfolio of his Kering concern.
The House of Gucci: Perfumes, Bags and Clothes with the Famous Logo
Gucci in 2020 is a completely different brand than the one that Guccio Gucci created over a century ago. How does the Gucci brand present itself today? Gucci perfumes, bags, and cosmetics sell like hot cakes, and the brand's creative director, Alessandro Michele, has made it one of the most important fashion brands in the world. Gucci in 2020 is synonymous with a fashion house that sets trends, goes against the tide and is adored by all fashionistas and fashionists in the industry. Guccio Gucci finally managed to build an empire that did not collapse and will probably stand for many good decades to come.
