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.
Rare Gucci Alligator / Crocodile Leather 4 Piece Desk Set
By Gucci
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A fabulous and rare Gucci 4 piece desk set in either Alligator or Crocodile real leather or embossed leather. Likely from the 1970's although I've see...
Leather
Gucci 5 Piece Desk Set in Crocodile/Alligator Gifted by Frank Sinatra
By Gucci
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A fabulous Gucci 5 piece Desk set in a Crocodile or Allifgator grain leather or real skin. It was gifted by Frank Sinatra to his close friend and neighbor Daniel Schwartz of Rancho Mirage, a neighboring town of Palm Springs. It is marked on the inside DS Noel FS. It was purchased from the estate of Daniel and Natalie Schwartz. The desk pad has a new green paper blotter. The ink blotter has a new matching green paper. The set is in remarkably good condition. We have a similar set listed for sale on this site. This set dates from the 1970’s. It was featured in an ad in Architectural Digest from the period. The desk pad is approximately 19.25x15.25 inches. The leather is in good condition. There are numerous rough edge spots and minor marks throughout. The letter opener has some gold plate loss. Please see the detailed photos Provenance: Black leather pieces gifted by Frank Sinatra to Daniel Schwartz. Property from the Estate of Daniel and Natalie Schwartz, Rancho Mirage, California. Footnote: Frank Sinatra and Daniel (Danny) Schwartz first met in the early 1960s at Sinatra's Cal Neva Resort and Casino in Crystal Bay, Nevada, where they formed a close, decades long friendship. Schwartz and Sinatra were neighbors at the Tamarisk Country Club, Rancho Mirage and golfed together, spent evenings at Melvyn’s Restaurant, Palm Springs, attended weekly dinner parties with family and friends, enjoyed trips to Las Vegas for games of Baccarat and Sinatra’s performances. Schwartz and his wife, Natalie, hosted Sinatra’s appointment as Honorary Mayor of Cathedral City, California in 1971. Beyond their friendship, Schwartz and Sinatra shared numerous business ventures including thoroughbred ownership and philanthropic projects such as the Barbara Sinatra...
Leather
1970’s Italian Hand Made Zebra Hide Desk Organizer
Located in Palm Springs, CA
We acquired this desk accessory along with a wonderful Gucci desk set from a local Palm Springs estate. These desk items were purchased in the 1970’s. The Gucci desk set is available...
Leather, Zebra Hide
Bucherer Mechanical Pencil Watch
By Bucherer
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A rare 1930's Bucherer pencil watch. It was made by Bucherer for a few different firms including Rolex. This version is in a gold filed case I assume as it is not hallmarked. The watch works and has been keeping pretty good time. Dial is marked C. Bucherer Lucerne...
Gold Plate
Stanley Jay Friedman for Brueton Side Table
By Stanley Jay Friedman, Brueton
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A nice little side table designed by Stanley jay Friedman for Brueton. It features a chromed steel frame with an inset granite piece. The piece is in good overall condition although ...
Steel
Pair of Victorian English Horn Card Carrying Cases
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A lovely pair of antique Victorian 19th Century Horn card cases. Beautifully grained these antique pieces were descended from the same family estate. The first has a flip top that re...
Horn
Vintage 1980s Gucci Desk Set Accessories - Leather Pen + Paper Holder & Tray
By Gucci
Located in St. Louis, MO
Nice 1980s Gucci - Italy designed leather desk accessories set, includes pen holder, note paper holder and small tray. The leather pieces have the classic green and red stripe, with ...
Ceramic, Leather, Suede
Gucci Vintage Black Leather Desk Set 1970s
By Gucci
Located in Munich, DE
Stunning Gucci desk set made of black leather and brass. Four pieces include: massive desktop blotter or pad, huge letter opener, envelope holder and a leather pen holder with glass ...
Brass
Gucci Desk Planner in Black Leather and Brass, 1970s Italy
By Gucci
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Chic black leather Gucci desk planner with brass bindings containing two notepads titled “To-day” and “To-Morrow”. Small window at the bottom of each leather flap showing the day. S...
Brass
Vintage 1980s Gucci Saddle Leather Note Pad with Gold / Silver Double GG Logo
By Gucci
Located in St. Louis, MO
Vintage 1980s Gucci brown saddle leather & stitch note pad with brass / silver double GG logo. Missing original notepad, you can buy a better replac...
Metal
Gucci Red Leather Desk Set, 1980s Italy
By Gucci
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Handsome red leather desk set by Gucci. Made in Italy, circa 1980s. Set consists of a note pad with paper, a pen holder and a letter opener. Rich colo...
Brass
Gucci Brown Leather Brass Bucket Desk Stationary Set Pen Pad Write, circa 1960s
By Gucci
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely suite of original circa 1960s Vintage Gucci brown leather desk accessories A wonderful suite. This set includes the original pad, writing slope with removable secondary writing board and lastly the pen pot...
Leather, Suede
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.
