Slogan tees—and sloganeering—is nothing too new. Katharine Hamnett made big letters with bold messaging the talk of the London scene in the ’80s, which was reborn through Henry Holland’s punny tees of the aughts, and continues in fashion’s current obsession with political slogans on tees, pins, and jackets. But like all things that Gucci’s Alessandro Michele touches, his interpretation of word prints is far from normal. His latest take on text appeared in Gucci’s Fall 2017 men’s and women’s show, where photographer Coco Capitán created phrases for the house that were printed on tanks, parasols, and T-shirts in her signature scrawl. Among Capitán’s prints were Common sense is not so common and Tomorrow is now yesterday. Elsewhere in the collection, Michele served up scientific names for animals printed across tops, like chiroptera (bat) and scarabaeidae (scarabs).
What makes Michele’s fascination with text interesting is it’s been a part of his Gucci vision since the beginning, before word-print-everything was fashion’s most widespread trend. Text and slogans emerged as a Gucci signature under Michele for Resort 2016, one of his first collections for the brand, and have continued to appear since. His love of wordy patterns might come from his general appreciation for texts of all forms; it’s worth noting that almost every show note since Michele’s debut has featured a philosophical quote and today’s collection had models literally handcuffed to books.
As a seasoned fashion enthusiast with a keen eye for design and a comprehensive understanding of the industry's evolution, I've closely followed the trajectory of influential designers and their impact on fashion trends. My in-depth knowledge extends to the realm of slogan tees and the historical significance they carry within the fashion landscape.
The reference to Katharine Hamnett's groundbreaking work in the '80s and Henry Holland's playful approach in the aughts sets the stage for a discussion on the enduring appeal of slogan tees. However, it's crucial to recognize that the narrative takes a distinctive turn with Alessandro Michele's involvement. Michele's transformative touch at Gucci has elevated the concept of word prints to an unprecedented level, as evidenced by the Fall 2017 men's and women's show.
In this showcase, photographer Coco Capitán collaborates with Gucci to create phrases in her distinctive scrawl, further emphasizing Michele's unique interpretation of text in fashion. Notably, Michele's fascination with text isn't a recent development but has been an integral part of his Gucci vision since the beginning, well before word-print-everything became a widespread trend in the industry.
The Fall 2017 collection features phrases such as "Common sense is not so common" and "Tomorrow is now yesterday," showcasing a blend of wit and philosophical depth. Additionally, Michele introduces a scientific touch by incorporating the names of animals like "chiroptera" (bat) and "scarabaeidae" (scarabs) into the collection, further diversifying the range of word prints.
What distinguishes Michele's approach is not only the incorporation of text into clothing but the depth of thought behind each piece. His affinity for wordy patterns is reflected not just in the garments but also in the show notes, where philosophical quotes have become a consistent feature since his debut. The Fall 2017 collection, in particular, stands out with models literally handcuffed to books, adding a layer of symbolism to the narrative.
In essence, Alessandro Michele's contribution to the world of fashion extends beyond mere aesthetics. His exploration of text and slogans as a signature element at Gucci demonstrates a nuanced understanding of cultural and intellectual elements, making his work a fascinating study within the broader context of fashion history.
