Gucci, which celebrates its centennial anniversary in 2021, has followed the brand foundation laid by founder Guccio Gucci and his son Aldo Gucci, and has experienced creative nourishment from designers such as Tom Ford and Frida Giannini. In recent years, it has become more innovative under the hands of creative director Alessandro Michele. It has sparked endless topics, and people are looking forward to what new designs Sabato De Sarno, the new designer who is about to show for the first time at Milan Fashion Week in September, will launch!

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Whether it is the Bamboo bag that combines creativity and craftsmanship, the Jackie Bag that was born out of the brand's historical design, the 1955 Horsebit bag, or the Dionysus bag that Alessandro Michele drew from mythology, Gucci All kinds of bags that are classic yet still have bright details are popular choices among boutique bag fans. Below, let us take stock of the most classic bag designs in the history of the Gucci brand, and also gain an in-depth understanding of the reasons behind the fashionable bags. Brand spirit!

From family business to aristocratic designated brand

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Guccio Gucci, the founder of Gucci, worked in a high-end hotel in London when he was young. After returning to his hometown of Florence, he once worked under Franzi, which manufactured leather goods for the royal family. It was not until 1921 that he opened his own leather goods store. .

With a precise eye developed in London and many years of experience working in a leather goods manufacturer, Gucci's luggage and harnesses quickly became popular among local Italian celebrities. Its dark British gentry-oriented design also attracted It has attracted many British customers, and Guccio Gucci's three sons have also joined the family business, quickly laying a solid brand foundation for Gucci.

Decoding the soul elements of Gucci classic bags

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In the mid-1930s, Italy faced economic sanctions from European countries, resulting in a shortage of domestic materials. Many leather goods workshops faced a crisis of bankruptcy, but Gucci turned to develop the signature canvas fabric that has been passed down to this day.

Guccio Gucci added a diamond pattern called Gucci Diamante to the cotton and linen blended fabrics, which not only successfully solved the problem of leather shortage, but also greatly strengthened the brand recognition; after Guccio Gucci's sons gradually took over the brand operation Aldo Gucci, the eldest son of the family who is very business-minded, integrated his father's initials into this canvas pattern, making the reborn "GG Canvas" the signature design of Gucci leather goods. It was not until recent years that it was made in a more environmentally friendly way. Replaced by the new version of "GG Supreme" canvas.

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In addition to the unforgettable GG Logo canvas, equestrian elements also play an important role in the design of Gucci bags.

Well aware of the love of equestrianism among celebrities and aristocrats at that time, Guccio Gucci incorporated equestrian-related elements into the design during the brand's founding period. Aldo Gucci, who led Gucci to expand into the U.S. and international markets, also incorporated horse bits and "green" materials for fixing saddles. "Red-green" and "blue-red-blue" color webbing are widely used in the design of Gucci bags and shoes. The simple but unique detail decoration is still Gucci's representative design language to this day.

After a preliminary understanding of the important design elements on Gucci bags, let BAZAAR introduce you to the classic bags in the brand’s history >>>

Decoding the Gucci classic bag: Gucci Bamboo bag

In addition to the GG Logo canvas that was born in response to material shortages during the war, another classic design created by Gucci as a result of a second thought is the Bamboo Bag.

In 1947, just after the end of World War II, Gucci imported bamboo from Japan, which was not subject to import and export restrictions at the time, and used heat molding to make bag handles and buckles due to many restrictions on international trade in Italy. Unexpectedly, the bamboo bag with its special shape has been favored by stars such as Elizabeth Taylor and Ingrid Bergman, and has become a brand masterpiece in the 1950s and 1960s.

The picture shows Gucci’s 1963 Bamboo bag image advertisement.

Each section of bamboo in the Gucci Bamboo bag is hand-fired by craftsmen using an open fire, adjusted to a standard arc, and then coated with multiple layers of paint to create a shiny golden brown luster. It takes 13 hours of handcrafting and more than 140 components to create a timeless and elegant bag. In addition to the classic round bag shape now known as Bamboo 1947, Gucci bamboo bags have actually launched a variety of changing designs in the past, including the Gucci Diana tote bag, which was re-engraved in 2021 and is also a member of the Bamboo family.​

Today's Bamboo 1947 bags, in addition to launching seasonal limited styles almost every season, also have regular mini, small, and medium sizes, a total of three sizes, and a variety of color choices. Gucci DIY customization events that tour every year also include We will provide rare leather, special style customization services, and provide unique Bamboo bag options.

Decoding the Gucci classic bag: Gucci Jackie Bag

The Jackie Bag was born in 1961. It has a highly recognizable special metal piston lock, a half-moon shape, and a short strap design that just falls under the armpits. It has a playful and elegant temperament. The special style of the bag can now be said to be a classic bag that is well-known among boutique bag fans. However, at the beginning of its launch, this bag was not only named after a number, but also did not become popular immediately.

It wasn’t until Jacqueline Kennedy, known as the “most fashionable first lady” in American history, was captured wearing this bag many times that the half-moon shoulder bag numbered G1244 took on the name it is now a household name── Jackie Bag has also become the most representative Gucci ancestor It Bag in the 1960s and 1970s. There are also rumors that Jacqueline Kennedy liked the design of this bag so much that she bought six of them in order to match the clothing styles of various occasions.

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As an important member of the Gucci brand history, the Jackie Bag has been the focus of creation in the bag category in the hands of successive Gucci designers. After Alessandro Michele reinterpreted the "Chateau Marmont" Jackie bag in the 2019 early spring vacation series, In 2020, the newly revised Jackie 1961 bag will be launched twice in the autumn and winter men's and women's fashion shows. The long strap design can be carried on one shoulder or cross-body, injecting a quirky and modern temperament into the classic bag shape.

Decoding Gucci classic bags: Gucci 1955 Horsebit horsebit bag

To tell the history of the 1955 Horsebit bag, we must first start with the birth of Gucci loafers. In 1953, Aldo Gucci discovered the love of American gentlemen for loafers during a trip to the US market. , decided to start creating loafers belonging to Gucci.

In order to increase recognition, Aldo Gucci added horsebit decoration to traditional loafers. This move not only made Gucci loafers an instant hit, but also faded the casual impression of loafers, making them a pair that can be worn in formal occasions. Taste.

Continuing the success of loafers, Gucci launched the Horsebit bag in 1955, which also focused on horsebit decoration. This bag also became the source of inspiration for designer Alessandro Michele, giving birth to the replica version of the 1955 Horsebit series.

The 1955 Horsebit bag debuted with a brand-new appearance. In addition to the classic shoulder bag style of GG Supreme canvas and oil-rubbed leather, it has also evolved into a variety of styles ranging from wallets to backpacks, bucket bags, etc., quickly becoming a The brand's popular bags.

Decoding Gucci classic bags: Gucci Sylvie bag

In 2015, Alessandro Michele, who had just taken over as the creative director of Gucci, was inspired by the well-known French style icon─Sylvie Vartan. He transformed this chain-strap decorated shoulder bag that had been in the Gucci brand database for many years and named it Sylvie.

The inspiration behind the Gucci Sylvie bag

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Sylvie Vartan, who was a hit in the 1960s, not only set a sales record of 40 million records, but was also a diva who popularized the Yé-yé genre. The Beatles even invited her to share the stage when they performed in France. .

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The contrast between Sylvie Vartan’s bold looks on the stage and her casual Tomboy outfits in private also made her the style aspiration of French girls at the time. Designer Alessandro Michele used her as his muse to transform a style that combined stiff silhouettes with soft Sylvie bag with ribbon decoration.

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Gucci’s iconic color-matching webbing is paired with a chain buckle design, sometimes embellished with bees or starburst patterns. The Sylvie bag, which has both personality and playful temperament, quickly became popular after its launch and became a versatile item worn by many celebrities. Bag.​

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But in fact, before 2015, the predecessor of the Sylvie bag was a bag decorated with thin chain straps created by Gucci brand craftsmen in 1969 and inspired by the successful landing of humans on the moon. There were neither colorful webbing nor red, white and blue satin ribbons on it. There is no mythical code written by Alessandro Michele. Only the unique and detailed chain buckle is used to depict vertical lines on the bag like a rocket taking off. This series of thin chain Sylvie bags that replicate the original design are now called Sylvie 1969. series.

Decoding Gucci classic bags: Gucci GG Marmont bag​

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Among the many brand classics that have been revived after Alessandro Michele took over Gucci, the GG Marmont series is definitely the most representative design!

In the nearly 100 years of Gucci brand history, the Double G Logo inspired by the initials of the founder Guccio Gucci evolved from the original reverse inverted style to the overlapping design in the same direction during the period of Tom Ford, and was used in The belt buckle embodies a sexy and charming style vocabulary.

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When Alessandro Michele took over Gucci, he chose to use the logo modified by Tom Ford on the bag, and used the famous "Hollywood Star Hotel" Chateau Marmont as the inspiration for the naming of this logo, making the "GG Marmont" logo with a charming character. Fantasy, literary and artistic gestures are reborn.

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Combining Alessandro Michele's imagination of the 1970s, the GG Marmont series bags are made of quilted leather with golden logo and chain strap designs, adding an unforgettable identifying element to the simple bag shape. The love embroidery on the back of the bag makes the bag more retro. A hint of youthfulness.

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The GG Marmont series is launched with changing styles almost every season. Nowadays, it not only has special materials such as velvet and raffia weaving, but also has a gorgeous version that reinterprets the "GG Marmont" logo with a spiral pattern. Various camera bags, bucket bags, Changing leather goods such as long clips are daily must-have bags for brand lovers.

Decoding the Gucci classic bag: Gucci Dionysus bag

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As Alessandro Michele's first main bag after taking over Gucci, the Dionysus bag made its debut at the 2015 autumn and winter men's wear show and instantly became a highly discussed item of the year!​

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Alessandro Michele, who loves mythology and literature, was inspired by Dionysus, the god of wine in Greek mythology, and combined his mount, the tiger, with accessory designs from the Gucci database in the 1970s, transforming it into a pair of doublets on the bag. Tiger head metal buckle becomesDionysus' signature detail.

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The Dionysus bag, which has a similar outline to the Sylvie, in addition to the GG Supreme canvas and plain leather styles, has also launched customized services. You can add embroidery or printing patterns on the bag to freely interpret Alessandro Michele's complex aesthetics.

Article source:harpersbazaar.com