| In the early part of the 20th century
a man named Guccio Gucci started a saddlery in Florence, Italy. Before 1906,
designing handbags was just a dream of Gucci's. He was a master leather
worker and specialized in producing and selling leather articles to horsemen.
He was a whiz with leather items, and he quickly became well known for his
horse tack. Horses were still very popular and necessary during this time.
The automobile was just taking off but in Italy it had not taken hold yet,
so Guccio's business was good. Soon Guccio and his associates were producing
leather luggage and accessories which was such good quality that it soon
became popular among the very wealthy. Mr. Gucci
opened his first baggage and luggage shop in Rome in 1938. This store was
devoted to his fine crafted leather goods. However, in 1947, the famous
Gucci designer bag with a bamboo handle was created. This new area of leather
items initiated a firestorm of purchases that would shoot his name into
fashion history.
During the early 1950s Gucci became a world-wide name for quality leather goods. He was making luggage, shoes, ties and handbags which were accompanied by a significant price but known to be very high in quality. With the design of the handbag came fame that Guccio Gucci could have only dreamed of in 1906. Everyone around the world began to see famous starlets such as Audrey Hepburn and Princess Grace Kelly carrying a Gucci handbag.Then, in 1953 Guccio Gucci suddenly died and many wondered if his legacy of high quality would carry on. The worry was laid to rest as his surviving family not only continued the high quality products but expanded the company to a global reach. Of Guccio Gucci's six children, four were sons who played significant roles in the Gucci company. When Guccio Guccie died, they established boutiques in New York, London and Paris. The House of Gucci first gained prominence in the 1960s. Many rich and famous purchased, used, wore and touted the Gucci leather goods and the company become more famous than ever. There was some family squabbling occurring behind the scenes but the quality of the Gucci name was never in jeapordy until the company was sold to a wealthy arab businessman in the 1980s. The status of Gucci was then questioned. Though remaining in business throughout the world, the Gucci popularity swained for a short period until the 90s when the company was taken over by Tom Ford who managed to bring the company back from the brink by re-establishing the high quality and chicness of Gucci products. He also introduced new designer colognes and perfumes which enhanced the fame and legend of the Gucci name and suddenly the name Gucci was back at the top of the leather and accessories ladder. No matter where one goes in the world, one fashion name stands out throughout the civilized world. A name that is always recognized and associated with high quality is Gucci. As long as the company maintains its image, the Gucci trademark will, most likely, always mean success. Quality products made by Gucci
are, of course, not confined to Gucci
handbags. The company has earned a sterling reputation for
such other fine accessories as watches and perfumes. With such glamorous
patrons as actresses Elizabeth Hurley and Gwyneth Paltrow, the brand name
has grown its own fan base of women who see themselves as discriminating
in taste. The Gucci explosion of the 60s and 70s was the height of the
brand's manufacturing expansion. Gucci Online Shopping >> |