Sandra‘s Closet

After we had visited the Gucci manufacture, we went to the Gucci Museo in the center of Florence (Piazza della Signoria, 10), which had opened its doors in September 2011.
For photos of the opening party, please click here.

Now, I would like to walk you through the museum and give you some information on the brand’s iconic looks and signature pieces. Enjoy!

Ground floor: TRAVEL

History tells how, as a teenager, Guccio Gucci worked as a lift boy at the Savoy Hotel in London where he was fascinated by the elegance of the upper class guests at the turn of the 20th century. On his return to Italy, the young Guccio opened a workshop specializing in the production of travelware and accessories. The first cases and trunks to be produced in Florence bore the inscription: G. Gucci, Articles for Travel, Florence. Defining the brand in English highlighted its founder’s international vision, which was aimed from the outset at modern travelers of the time across the globe. Impeccably high quality crafted goods, then as now.

Travel set “Leonardo” print, 1950’s

Trunk, pigskin, 1930’s

Travelling in style:

 

1st floor: PRECIOUS

A selection of jewelry and items showcasing Gucci’s creativity in finding unique ways to combine practicality and beauty. Crystal-studded minaudières, powder compacts, buckles and all sorts of jewelry pieces are all tiny but timeless treasures.

„Tiger head“ necklace and bracelet, enamelled silver, early 1970’s

Brooch, enamelled gold, 1980’s
This piece reminds me a lot of my Bague Diorette, don’t you agree?!
But Gucci was obviously first…

1st floor: FLORA WORLD

The story began in Milan in 1966, when Prince Ranier of Monaco brought his wife to the Gucci boutique. Roldolfo Gucci insisted that Princess Grace choose a gift to accompany the bamboo bag she had purchased. The Princess requested a scarf. Rodolfo felt that the House lacked one sufficiently beautiful for the royal style icon and so he commissioned illustrator Vittorio Accornero to create the most beautiful print he could imagine. Accornero returned with his painting: the “Flora”, a sumptuos, multi-hued, flowered template destined to become a design classic.

When Giannini revived Flora on printed canvas bags in summer 2005, a new generation succumbed to its charms. In 2006, it appeared re-scaled, re-coloured and abstracted onto Forties-style print dresses, jewellery and evening bags.

I was over the moon to see that my own closet has got some museum pieces.
How cool is that?!

 

1st floor: HANDBAGS

Bags are Gucci’s signature and therefore the museum dedicated one part of the exhibition to the house’s rich creative heritage of various models. Continuously evolving over the years, with creation of iconic models such as the Bamboo Bag, the Jackie and those immediately recognizable by Gucci symbols including the horsebit and green-red-green web (Web is the name for the iconic Gucci stripes).

Leather, „riding crop“, shoulder strap in horn, early 1970’s

Short handle bags in raffia, leather, pigskin, late 1950’s and early 1960’s

1st floor: EVENING

Gucci’s evening wear is designed to be worn on the red carpet and the most exclusive events on the international stage, from Cannes to Los Angeles and New York to Paris. The house’s couture label is called Gucci Première.

Here you can see some of the distinguished moments in the history of fashion and haute couture, celebrated through gowns worn by Hilary Swank and Naomi Watts.

 

2nd floor: LOGOMANIA

The GG is the most significant symbol in Gucci’s long history. The initials of founder Guccio Gucci first featured on the clasps of his bags in the early 1960’s, finding new interpretations over the years: recreated in gold and silver, on precious leather, velvet and silk.

Shirt and skirt, jersey with „horsebit“ print, suede, early 1970’s
Dress, silk with „horsebit and horseshoe print, mid 1970’s

Shoulder bags and moccasin, „horsebit print fabric“, mid 1970’s

 

2nd floor: LIFESTYLE

From fashion to items dedicated to leisure and recreational activities, Gucci’s style is reflected in every moment of daily life. From the opening of the first store in Florence in 1921, Guccio Gucci offered his distinguished clients giftware and souvenirs, a creative progress which has continued through the years, transforming his products into cult items: thermos holders and picnic sets, parlor games, table lamps, and sets of glasses and, more recently, even an electric guitar. Home or away, these are the items which complete the Gucci lifestyle.

 

2nd floor: SPORT

From horseback riding to golf, Guccio Gucci always found inspiration in the various sporting disciplines practiced by his most sophisticated clientele. Gucci logos and symbols customized technically competitive sport items which all had their own original style. Golf club bags, tennis racket bags, surfboards, flippers and masks are some of the latest items in the range, which showcase Gucci’s craftsmanship applied to products that complement the wardrobes of sports professionals and sports fans alike. More recently, Guccissima Leather has been used to cover items from bicycle seats and snow sleds to saddles and a whole host of riding accessories, reflecting the sport’s continuing influence in the House’s collections.

On display is also the outfit from Gucci’s second equestrian collection designed exclusively for Charlotte Casiraghi by Creative Director Frida Giannini that the equestrian heiress wore throughout her participation in the 2011 Global Champions Tour.

I hope that you have enjoyed your museum’s tour.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, Celebrities: Courtesy of Gucci

In case that my visit to the Gucci manufacture whetted your appetite to own a Gucci bag, I have some classy and beautiful suggestions for your shopping spree:

1. Leather-trimmed canvas bowling bag
2. Tigrette embellished nubuck shoulder bag
3. Monogram canvas and leather tote
4. New Jackie metallic leather shoulder bag (a must for all fashionistas)
5. 1973 patent-leather bag
6. Marrakech zebra-print calf hair tote

My favourite model for spring is this red Gucci leather hobo bag, a great addition to your wardrobe.
You can shop all bags by clicking on the highlighted text.

Have a lovely weekend!

LoL, Sandra

Welcome to Tuscany, where the Gucci headquarters are based in a little town called Casellina, at the gates of Florence. Here Frida Giannini’s beautiful designs come also to life.

Please follow me on an exclusive tour through the bag manufacture:

The first stop is the leather department where the research of fabrics is taking place. When the doors opened, I thought that I had arrived in paradise. Two tables full of the most luxurious materials, from matte crocodile to suede ostrich and colourful python leather. Gucci only uses exotic skins that have a certification to make sure all the guidelines are met.

Crocodile and alligator skins

Matte, rubberized crocodile leather

One of my favourites: The matte suede-effect ostrich leather to the left.

Among the beautiful python samples,…

…I spotted the emerald-coloured one used for my 1973 bag.

The famous interlocking GG started 10-15 years ago with Frida Giannini. Before that time the signature fabric was the one to the right. Frida lives and works in Rome.

One of the most expensive fabrics is still handmade on a wooden loom in a procedure dating back to the 18th century.
It takes the Gucci’s craftsmen one hour to create a maximum of 15cm.

It is truly impressive to see how much work, time and dedication is going into the creation of the right fabrics for a Gucci bag. And all made in Italy!

Next stop is the cutting department where all the important skin materials, such as anaconda, python and lizard, are cut. The artisans have to spend many years working with standard leathers before being allowed to cut noble skins.

The reason is clear: You need lots of skins for an excotic leather bag as the craftsmen have to match the colour and pattern of the skin to achieve maximum beauty. And when it comes to these fine materials, you want to limit the wastage to a minimum.

Third stop: The prototype room. We were not allowed to take photos in there as the Gucci team works one year ahead. My eyes spotted prototypes for 2013 (how exciting!). But I am very sorry, my lips have to be sealed!

90% of the work is done manually in this department. Everything starts with a design. From the paper pattern, the artisans develop a product which after the designer’s, in this case Frida Giannini, final approval will become a sample.

In the prototype room, we were also introduced to the amazing travel trunk which is exclusively done here. Two craftsmen work one entire month on this piece. Design by Tom Ford.

In 2011, ten pieces were done. Among the lucky owners are  John Travolta and Jennifer Lopez.
The price for the travel trunk in fabric as seen here is € 30.000 (special order).

Here are the photos of the crocodile version made out of 23 skins for € 240.000. Divine!

Paulo (in front), who has been with Gucci for 38 years, and Marco are the two artisans producing the travel trunks.

Final stop: The room where the iconic Bamboo handles and accessories are produced.

Gucci uses exclusively Chinese bamboo because of its quality. There is still a lot of wastage as it is very important that the bamboos have a fairly regular diameter and that distance between the noses is equal.
Please enjoy the procedure:

1. Choose the right bamboo and smooth it.

2. Bend it with heat.

3. Give it the burnished colour.

4. Cut and finish it.

5. Apply the sealing wax by hand.

6. The protection will help to maintain its shape.

7. Prepare the wholes for the metal parts to be attached.

Once you see all the work going into a bag, you appreciate it even more. The Gucci people are truly dedicated to their work and you can feel their passion for the product which comes with a very high level of perfection.

No, I didn’t need a doctor even that I went into raptures over the Gucci manufacture. Similiar to a science lab: Some of the workers wear white coats embroidered with the Gucci logo.

Thank you, Gucci, for letting me be part of this amazing experience!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Finally, I went through over 800 photos that I took during my trip with Gucci in Italy last week. During the next days, I will share all those amazing experiences with you. So please stay tuned for my visit to the manufacture in Casellina and much more.

After the Gucci F/W 2012 show in Milan, we went straight to Florence. Those of you, who have been following me for  some time now, know, that my favourite hotel in Florence is the J.K.Place. So you might imagine how happy I was to be back so soon for the Gucci experience.

We had a lovely dinner at the hotel, very “La Dolce Gucci” and went all to bed quite early as the next day promised to be full of adventure.

This was my look, needless to say, head to toe Gucci: Emerald-coloured velvet jacket, velvet pants, silk shirt with ruffles, fur stole, gold horsebit necklace, python pumps and Gucci’s “cult” 1973 bag ( see detailed photos below).

The next day, when I saw with my own eyes at the manufacture how such a luxurious piece is made, “what makes a Gucci bag a Gucci bag”, I was very impressed.

We had so much fun together: Misha from Tokyo (Tokyo Fashion Diaries), Emily (Fashion Foie Gras) and Ella (La Petite Anglaise), both from London with me.

Yummy food, Italian wine, good conversation, what a great night!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht