History of Gucci

Spanning more than a century, the history of the House reveals a vision in continuous evolution. Each decade holds a series of milestones, defining the brand's transformation from a small luggage atelier to a global leader in luxury fashion.

Inspired by his experience as a porter at The Savoy hotel in London, Guccio Gucci established his eponymous artisanal luggage atelier in 1921 on Via della Vigna Nuova in Florence. His vision combined exceptional Tuscan materials and craftsmanship with the elegant English aesthetic. These early years established the brand's origins in the world of travel and exploration, which have remained intrinsically linked to Gucci's heritage.
The late 1930s saw the introduction of canvas into the offering to provide enhanced durability. The Diamante fabric emerged and became one of the first distinctive elements of the House with its emblematic diamond motif. This was a precursor of the GG monogram canvas still featured today on a selection of bags.

A need for creativity and resourcefulness in the 1940s led to the development of enduring House codes. Amid Italy’s post-war era when traditional raw materials were in short supply, a visionary Guccio Gucci turned to the lightweight and durable bamboo in 1947. Through innovative craft techniques, Guccio and his Florentine artisans created the Bamboo bag, the predecessor to the House’s iconic Bamboo 1947 handbag.
1953 was a pivotal year for the House, marking Gucci’s expansion outside of Italy with its first store in New York City. This was also when it introduced footwear, most notably the Horsebit 1953 loafer defined by an equestrian accoutrement that Gucci began using earlier in the decade to evoke the life and style that surrounded horseback riding. The emblem was continuously reinterpreted, with the Horsebit 1955 bag referring to the year its specific version of the hardware appeared in Gucci's collections. Back in Florence in 1953, the House purchased the historic Palazzo Settimanni as the site for its growing artisanal production in the heart of the city.

As Gucci continued to grow rapidly, the brand's influence spread to an international clientele of jet setters, Hollywood stars, dignitaries, and socialites. Signature products and prints emerging during this period included the predecessor to the Jackie 1961 bag, the GG monogram, and the Flora motif.

After Gucci began producing ready-to-wear in the mid-1960s, it opened its first clothing-dedicated store at 699 Fifth Avenue in New York City in 1972. The 1970s also saw the beginning of its collection presentations, frequently set at the St. Regis.
In 1981, the House debuted a Flora-inspired collection at the Sala Bianca in Florence during the fashion shows at Palazzo Pitti, the predecessor to Milan Fashion Week. During this period, Gucci also grew its selection of lifestyle items with board games, tennis gear, umbrellas, dog carriers, and décor.

The end of the 20th century marked the beginning of an era in which designers were called upon to bring their unique perspectives to the brand as creative directors:
1994: Tom Ford
2006: Frida Giannini
2015: Alessandro Michele
2023: Sabato De Sarno