Long before trend-bucking creative director Alessandro Michele brought his hallucinatory “Utopian Fantasy” campaign to Gucci, it was a modest Italian leather shop. Today, it’s an internationally renowned luxury house with an iconic logo, and vintage Gucci clothing, handbags and shoes are among high fashion's most covetable goods.
Guccio Gucci (1881–1953) admired the stylish suitcases he saw wealthy guests arrive with at the Savoy Hotel in London, where he worked as a bellhop. So, in 1921, after a stint at Franzi, a luggage company in his hometown of Florence, he opened a leather goods shop of his own.
At first, Gucci’s Florence business specialized in equestrian accessories. But as its reputation flourished, particularly among the English aristocracy, so too did its footprint. In 1938, he brought three of his sons — Aldo, Vasco and Rodolfo — into the business and expanded it to Rome and later Milan. In the mid-1930s, a League of Nations embargo against Italy pushed Gucci to experiment with alternatives to imported leather. Its woven hemp fabric from Naples, adorned with the brand’s signature diamond print, was a hit, especially among A-list celebrities. The material was first used on suitcases before finding enduring popularity on handbags. (No list of revered designer purses would be complete without Gucci.)
In the 1950s, Elizabeth Taylor carried one of Gucci’s bamboo-handled tote bags, another adaptation to material rationing. After Jackie Kennedy was seen sporting a slouchy Gucci tote in 1961, it was renamed for the First Lady. Then Grace Kelly, on a visit to the boutique in Milan, inspired Rodolfo Gucci to work with Italian illustrator and Gucci textile designer Vittorio Accornero on the Flora print in 1966. Taking cues from Sandro Botticelli’s Primavera, with its pattern of flora and insects, it was painted entirely by hand and featured no fewer than 37 colors.
In 1953, just 15 days after opening his first store on New York’s 5th Avenue, Guccio passed away at 72. The early 1970s saw store openings in Tokyo and Hong Kong, but by the late 1980s, Gucci was floundering. Rodolfo Gucci took charge in 1982, but family drama and lawsuits ensued. In 1993, Rodolfo’s son, Maurizio, transferred his shares in the company to Investcorp, ending the family’s involvement in Gucci. Dawn Mello, then-president of Bergdorf Goodman, joined as creative director in 1989. But it was Tom Ford, who took over as creative director in 1994, who ultimately revived the brand.
Ford’s racy ads, shot by photographers such as Mario Testino, stirred controversy. And his potent vision of sexed-up femininity — with “jewel-toned satin shirts unbuttoned to there,” as Vogue described his breakthrough 1995 runway show — was wildly successful. The new millennium brought new ownership — Pinault Printemps Redoute in 2004 — and a more toned-down vision from Frida Giannini, who became sole creative director in 2006. Alessandro Michele was named creative director in 2015, and the storied brand took a giant leap forward.
Find vintage Gucci clothing and accessories on 1stDibs.
Gucci Horsebit Diamond 18k White Gold Ring Sz 5
By Gucci
Located in Feasterville, PA
Gucci Horsebit Diamond 18k White Gold Ring. Crafted in 18k white gold, this ring features the iconic horsebit motif adorned with round brilliant-cut diamonds. The design reflects Guc...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Gucci Horsebit Diamond 18k White Gold Ring Sz 5
By Gucci
Located in Feasterville, PA
Gucci Horsebit Diamond 18k White Gold Ring. Crafted in 18k white gold, this ring features the iconic horsebit motif adorned with round brilliant-cut diamonds. The design reflects Guc...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
$3,038Sale Price|20% Off
GUCCI Milano GG Running Ring Band In Solid 18Kt White Gold And VS Diamonds
By Gucci
Located in Miami, FL
GG Running band ring designed by Gucci. This is a beautiful double G's ring, created in Milano Italy by the luxury house of Gucci. This incused GG letters band-ring is from the Running collection, crafted in solid white gold of 18 karats with high polished finish and embellished with thirty-five natural earth mined diamonds. Diamonds: Mounted in bezels and pave settings, with 35 round brilliant cut diamonds, 0.35 carats, white colorless F color, VS clarity. Weight: 5.6 Grams, (3.60 Dwt.). Size: Italian size 14, US is 7 may be resized up or down only one size. Measure: The width is 14 mm (0.55 Inch). Hallmarks: Stamped with Italian marks; the maker's mark, the mark for the assay and warranty of the 18kt white gold and signed as follows, "GUCCI MADE IN ITALY .750 *1695TO 14. Gucci The company was founded in 1921 in the Tuscany region of Italy, in Florence, when Guccio Gucci bought his own shop on 7, Via della Vigna Nuova in Florence, Azienda Individuale Guccio Gucci, where he sold imported leather luggage. He also opened a small workshop to have his own leather goods made by local craftsmen. Eventually, a larger workshop had to be acquired to house Gucci's 60 artisans. In 1935 the invasion of Ethiopia by Mussolini led the League of Nations to impose a trade embargo on Italy. Leather became scarce, pushing Guccio Gucci to introduce other fabrics in the composition of the products, such as raffia, wicker, wood, linen and, jute. The rombi motif, a Gucci signature, was created. The Gucci's developed a new tanning technique to produce "cuoio grasso", which became a Gucci trademark. In 1937, Gucci launched its handbags. Under the direction of Aldo Gucci (son of Guccio), Gucci became a worldwide-known brand, an icon of the Italian Dolce Vita. During the 2010s, Gucci became an iconic 'geek-chic' brand. Collateral: This Gucci Running ring...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, White Gold, 18k Gold
Gucci Diamond Set 18ct White Gold GG Running Ring
By Gucci
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Gucci Diamond Set 18ct White Gold GG Running Ring Product Details Xupes Ref: J1346 Brand: Gucci Model: GG Running Ring Type: Ring Accompanied By: Gucci Box, Pouch Material(s): 18ct ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Gucci Link to Love Diamond White 18k Gold Ring
By Gucci
Located in Geneva, CH
Gucci Link to Love Mirrored Ring 18K White Gold and Diamond. Size 18. Comes with Gucci box. Signed Gucci. Made in ITALY. A bold and influential ring d...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 18K Gucci Horsebit Ring
By Gucci
Located in New York, NY
This Gucci ring showcases a unique, sculptural design crafted in 18k gold. Weighing 10.89 grams and sized at 7.25, it offers a modern aesthetic. The piece is sizable, allowing for a ...
18k Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels 18k Gold and Diamond Ring
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
This 18K Gold and Diamond ring is set with approximately 0.90 carats of full cut diamonds. Size 6.25. Numbered, makers mark and export stamp...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Gucci Running 18K Yellow Gold Diamond Ring
By Gucci
Located in Southampton, PA
This estate Gucci Running X ring makes a statement in 18K yellow gold. It features two slim bands that cross over one another to form an X silhouette, merging into a single, sculptur...
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Gucci Horsebit Contrairie Ring
By Gucci
Located in London, GB
Crafted in 18 carat yellow gold, this striking Contrarie ring comes from the Designer Gucci. Twisting around the finger, this piece features a horsebit design. The original Gucci hal...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Gucci Icon Stardust Pavé Diamond Band Ring in Polished 18 Karat Yellow Gold, Box
By Gucci
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Ring Size: US 6 / IT 12 This gorgeous Gucci Icon Stardust band ring is exquisitely set in 18 karat yellow gold and adorned with sparkling diamonds. This elegant ring features a dist...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Chanel Profil De Camelia Ring with Diamonds
By Chanel
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18K white gold with Round Brilliant cut Diamond, stamped with signature CHANEL across lateral rim. Signed by Chanel Size 6
Diamond, 18k Gold
Cartier Juste un Clou Ring with Diamonds
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow gold with small pave-set Diamonds. Signed by Cartier Size 50 (US 5 1/2), resizable Comes with its Certificate of Authenticity and original box.
Diamond, 18k Gold
Bvlgari B.Zero1 Ring with Diamonds
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18K white gold with pave-set Round Brilliant cut Diamonds weighing a total of 2.40 carats. Signed by Bvlgari, from their B.Zero1 collection Size 54
Diamond, 18k Gold
Cartier Diamond Wave Ring
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k white gold with Round Brilliant Diamonds weighing approximately 7.65 carats. Signed by Cartier Size 6 1/2
Diamond, 18k Gold
Cartier Antalia Ring with Diamonds
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow gold with Round Brilliant cut Diamonds weighing approximately a total of 4.00 carats. Signed by Cartier Size 51 (US 5)
Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s 0.95 Carat Diamonds Snake Ring
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow gold featuring Baguette and Round Brilliant cut Diamonds weighing a total of approximately 0.95 carat. Circa 1980s Size 7 1/2, resizable
Diamond, 18k Gold
Created during Alessandro Michele's tenure at the brand, this sparkling, whimsical minaudière feels just right for a night out.
The iconic Italian label’s traveling exhibition has just arrived in London.
