By CODO Fashion Experts
Gucci is one of the hottest names in luxury fashion. Combining its classical roots with contemporary, attention-grabbing styles, Gucci never fails to make a statement. Here’s why we love Gucci, covering everything from the materials to the different types of hardware and some eye-popping pictures of our favorite bags!
But first, here is a short history of the Gucci Company
Founded by Guccio Gucci in Florence, Italy in 1921, the Gucci Company quickly became one of the most successful makers of high quality leather products. Similarly to the early days of Louis Vuitton, Guccio Gucci drew inspiration from the luxury travel luggage brought in by guests to the hotel where he worked in Paris. His company’s specialty was leather finishing, as Guccio employed highly skilled Florentine leather finishers. After WW2, the Gucci brand really took off and prospered, with film stars and jet setters greatly increasing Gucci’s growing luxury reputation. The 1980s were difficult times for Gucci, with internal family conflicts nearly destroying the company. However, with Tom Ford assuming the role of Gucci’s creative director in 1994, the brand once again took off and became what we know and love. Under Tom Ford's leadership, Gucci greatly limited its products and started releasing the iconic yet modern styles we see today.
Pictured Left: Ophidia Small GG Canvas Bag (note the seamless incorporation of monogram canvas, luxurious leather and the signature red/green striping...we love it!)
middle: Gucci GG Monogram Canvas Tote (the quintessential everyday Gucci bag) and right: a close up of the GG pattern on its canvas (this is a great way to authenticate Gucci bags, as the pattern's accuracy and clarity of the G's are easy giveaways...fakes are getting better, but rarely do they perfectly match Gucci's superb attention to detail).
Gucci’s craftsmanship is top of the line, drawing upon its origins of elite equestrian style and Florentine leather finishing. However, some of the most popular Gucci handbags you see are not made of leather, but rather canvas. This is because during the Second World War, fine leather materials were in limited supply, and less demand—however, similar to Louis Vuitton’s signature coated canvas, Gucci’s treated cotton canvas with the GG print became a staple of luxury fashion. Gucci GG canvas is frequently finished with fine leather and Gucci’s signature red and green stripes.
Many of our favorite Gucci products, from their iconic belts to their staple handbags are not made out of canvas, however. Many vintage Gucci products were constructed with pigskin, calf and exotic leathers imported from different parts of the world. Today's Gucci leather is the ultra-luxurious Guccissima leather, meaning “the most Gucci” in Italian. It was introduced in 2006 by then Creative Director Frida Giannini. It features a crisp embossed interlocking GG logo pattern similar to that found on many of Gucci’s canvas products, and is a key identifying feature when authenticating Guccissima bags and belts.
Pictured left: Gucci Black Guccissima Leather Hobo Bag with Gold Chain; middle: Gucci Pink Guccissima Small Tote Bag; right: a close-up of the heat-embossed Guccissima print taken of a Gucci wallet.
While many luxury fashion brands stick to one or two main types of locks and hardware on their bags, Gucci is known for having a wide array of hardware styles—all undeniably Gucci staples. Each hardware type is symbolic of Gucci’s roots and heritage; the most head turning styles are interlocking GG, the Gucci Crest, the Gucci Piston Lock, the Horse bit and the famous Gucci Bamboo. Each one offers something unique and different but brings with it a piece of Gucci everywhere you go. The versatility and variety are some of the most appealing factors that Gucci has to offer.
Pictured left: the Gucci Crest on a Gucci Gold Chain Belt; middle: Gucci Crest White Guccissima Leather Long Wallet; right: Gucci Horsebit Satchel Bag. The Gucci Crest has become a symbol synonymous with the city of Florence after the Second World War, and is a very popular hardware feature on many of Gucci's products. The Horsebit, unsurprisingly, stems from Gucci's reverence for equestrian lifestyle; initially, the Gucci company was making saddles and other leather products for horseback riders at the time, and this characteristic has continued well into today's Gucci collections.
Pictured: the popular piston lock hardware pictured on Jackie Hobo Bags. It is incredibly equestrian as evident by horse stirrups attaching the strap to the bag.
Pictured: examples of Gucci Bamboo Top Handle bags in three distinct styles: monogram canvas (left), ostrich leather (middle) and vintage black calf leather (right). The bamboo handle is incredibly unique to Gucci. It is yet another curious material that was born from the scarcities of the Second World War. Created by burnishing bamboo to give it that molasses color and bend it to shape, the bamboo became an instant classic. It was modernized by Frida Giannini and is loved today for its classic contributions to Gucci's modern styles.
Another great feature about Gucci products and especially their handbags is that their excellent craftsmanship also delivers longevity and durability, explaining why the resale market for Gucci is better than ever before. Everybody wants to own a Gucci bag, but not many want to pay the full retail price, which today is astronomical thanks to Gucci’s popularity mixed with its limited supply. Luxury designer resale offers the best solution: you can get the pre owned Gucci bag of your dreams while ensuring its quality and condition remain perfect and that authenticity is guaranteed.
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- Posted byYulia Omelich /
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As a seasoned fashion enthusiast and expert with a deep understanding of luxury brands, particularly Gucci, let's delve into the rich details presented in the article by CODO Fashion Experts.
Gucci's History and Roots: Gucci's illustrious history, founded by Guccio Gucci in 1921 in Florence, Italy, reflects a journey from its origins inspired by luxury travel luggage to becoming a powerhouse in high-quality leather products. Gucci's post-World War II success, fueled by endorsem*nts from film stars and jet setters, has solidified its standing in the luxury fashion world.
Tom Ford's Impact on Gucci's Renaissance: The article highlights the transformative period in the 1980s when internal conflicts almost led to Gucci's downfall. However, the arrival of Tom Ford as creative director in 1994 marked a resurgence, leading to the iconic and modern styles that define Gucci today.
Gucci's Craftsmanship and Materials: Gucci's craftsmanship, rooted in elite equestrian style and Florentine leather finishing, extends beyond traditional leather products. During World War II, Gucci turned to treated cotton canvas with the GG print, akin to Louis Vuitton's coated canvas, due to limited leather supplies. Notably, Gucci's canvas often features fine leather finishing and the signature red and green stripes.
The evolution of materials is evident, with vintage Gucci products crafted from pigskin, calf, and exotic leathers. The article introduces the ultra-luxurious Guccissima leather, introduced in 2006 by Creative Director Frida Giannini, characterized by an embossed interlocking GG logo pattern.
Diverse Hardware Styles: Gucci stands out with a wide array of hardware styles, each symbolic of its roots and heritage. The interlocking GG, Gucci Crest, Gucci Piston Lock, Horsebit, and the iconic Gucci Bamboo are highlighted. Each style carries a unique historical significance, adding versatility and variety to Gucci's offerings.
Symbolism in Hardware: The Gucci Crest, associated with Florence post-World War II, and the Horsebit, reflecting Gucci's equestrian origins, showcase the brand's commitment to its heritage. The article emphasizes how these features contribute to the distinctiveness of Gucci's products.
Gucci Bamboo Handle: The unique Gucci Bamboo handle, born out of scarcity during World War II, is a testament to the brand's innovative approach. The article describes how the bamboo is burnished to achieve its distinctive color and shape, modernized by Frida Giannini while maintaining its classic appeal in contemporary Gucci styles.
Craftsmanship and Resale Value: Gucci's commitment to craftsmanship translates into longevity and durability, contributing to the brand's robust resale market. The article suggests that the resale market allows enthusiasts to acquire pre-owned Gucci items while ensuring quality, condition, and authenticity.
In conclusion, the article provides a comprehensive overview of Gucci's history, materials, craftsmanship, hardware, and the brand's enduring appeal in the world of luxury fashion.
