New Creative Director of Gucci Revealed

Gucci New Creative Director

Last December, GUCCI iconrevealed the breaking news that their Creative Director Frida Giannini and CEO Patrizio di Marco both stepped down.

Being also a couple in real life – they have one daughter Greta together – they had both joined the Kering group almost at the same time, Di Marco 13 years ago as the CEO of Bottega Veneta before moving to Gucci in 2008 and Giannini 12 years ago, when she left Fendi for Gucci, at this time still under the creative direction of Tom Ford.

Marco BizzarriMarco Bizzari

Marco Bizzarri has been appointed the new CEO of Gucci, having joined Stella McCartney in 2005 before moving to Bottega Veneta in 2009. Seems like Bottega Veneta is the “stepping stone” for Gucci CEOs.

Alessandro_Michele_portrait__1739_low_Courtesy of Ronan Gallagher for Gu...Alessandro Michele

Yesterday, the new Creative Director of GUCCI has been officially appointed and it is probably not someone you would have thought of: Alessandro Michele, a longtime Gucci employee, is responsible for all of the brand’s collections and global image.

Born in Rome in 1972, Alessandro studied at the prestigious Academy of Costume & Fashion in Rome. He forged his early design career inside Fendi where he was Senior Accessories Designer. A rising talent, he was tapped by Tom Ford in 2002 and moved to Gucci’s London-based Design Office. Over his 12-year tenure inside the Gucci design studio, Alessandro held a variety of roles. In 2006 he was named Leather Goods Design Director and promoted in May 2011 as Associate to then Creative Director Frida Giannini. Passionate about interiors and décor, Alessandro in September 2014 took on the additional role of Creative Director of Richard Ginori—the fine Florentine porcelain brand acquired by Gucci in June 2013. He immediately reimagined the product offering and branding of the 280-year-old brand, repositioning it for the luxury market with new collections and a new store design template.

It was during the Gucci Men’s F/W 2015 runway show where Alessandro first revealed a contemporary new direction for the House. His full vision for Gucci will emerge during the Women’s F/W 2015 runway show. I am wishing him only the best, a great start and of course lots of creative ideas!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Gucci and Indigital

Gucci Première Launch Event in Venice

Gucci-Première-Launch-Event-Venice

Last Saturday, I flew to Venice for the launch event of Gucci Première, the house’s new fragrance legend. Gucci Parfums revealed its new scent during a private cocktail and dinner held at the Hotel Cipriani in the presence of Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini, Gucci President and CEO Patrizio di Marco, the face of the new fragrance campaign Blake Lively, the film director Nicolas Winding Refn and P&G Prestige Vice President Luigi Feola.

Gucci Girls

At the cocktail reception from left to right: Me, Michaela Stein (P&G Prestige), Regina Stahl (German Vogue), Gabi Hässig (P&G Prestige) and Tania Messner (Cover)

151125727JF00036_Gucci_Prem

Blake Lively, star of the new fragrance Gucci Première, made quite an entrance during the event in Venice. The American beauty arrived by boat, welcomed by Nicolas Winding Refn.
Here, a look at the fashion and the fragrance:

151125727JF00013_Gucci_Prem

Blake Lively wore a Gucci One of a kind sleeveless deep V-neck cocktail dress, fully embroidered with cherry overlapping palettes and raised flower detail around the neckline, burgundy python high heel sandal with metallic spike detail in the back, horsebit bracelet and ring in 18kt pink gold, black corundum and black diamonds and horsebit cocktail ring in 18kt pink gold, black corundum and black diamonds.

151125727JF00007_Gucci_Prem

Salma Hayek-Pinault wore a Gucci F/W 2012 black chiffon long sleeved cocktail dress with jet beaded bodice and all over embroidered skirt.

151125727JF00028_Gucci_Prem

Nicolas Winding Refn wore a Gucci midnight blue notch lapel two button Marseille suit with white dress shirt, blue grosgrain tie and black leather lace ups.

151125727JF00112_Gucci_Prem

Frida Giannini wore a Gucci One of kind silver and gunmetal degrade sleeveless v-neck grey silk crepe cocktail dress with art deco graphic beading and black diamond crystals, and grey suede peep toe sandals.

151125727JF00088_Gucci_Prem

Karmen Pedaru wore a Gucci F/W 2012 burgundy georgette silk sleeveless blouse, black velvet wrap skirt, and black suede high heeled sandal.

151125727JF00020_Gucci_Prem

Style icon Blake Lively, who appeared in 2011 on TIME magazine’s TIME 100 list, is the face of the Gucci Première and transports the Hollywood glamour perfectly. Her speech was very lively in the true sense of the word.

151125727JF00008_Gucci_Prem

151125727JF00018_Gucci_Prem

François-Henri Pinault, CEO of PPR, framed by Blake Lively to the left and his wife Salma Hayek-Pinault to the right.

151125727JF00021_Gucci_Prem

151125727JF00038_Gucci_Prem

President and Chief Executive Officer Gucci Patrizio di Marco and P&G Prestige Vice President Luigi Feola

151125727JF00076_Gucci_Prem

Before the dinner, during the cocktail reception, the fragrance and campaign were revealed to the editors and guests.

151125727JF00103_Gucci_Prem

I was sitting right behind Frida Giannini who looked so beautiful in her One of a kind Gucci gown.

Gucci Première Frida

Frida Giannini says about the new fragrance: “Gucci Première is womanly, intriguing and as seductive as the perfect couture gown.”

Gucci Première 10

The Gucci Première couture gown worn by Blake Lively in the campaign was on display at the event.

Gucci Première Sample

Gucci Première is a sophisticated wood and musk composition. The inspiration derives from the Gucci Première couture collection that debuted at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival (for a previous post, click here please).

151125727JF00065_Gucci_Prem

Nicolas gucci Premiere

During the cocktail, Nicolas Winding Refn presented his short film which was shot at the famous Sheats Goldstein Residence in Los Angeles.

Gucci Première Movie

Gucci Première Movie2

151125727JF00061_Gucci_Prem

The atmosphere at the beautiful dinner was amazing. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take pictures during the dinner because Blake Lively’s boyfriend, Ryan Reynolds, who was there also that night, didn’t want any to be taken of him.

151125727JF00080_Gucci_Prem

Frida Giannini and me Gucci

Frida Giannini with me

Gucci Première Table Setting

Gucci Flapper Dress6

For the outfit post, please click here.

Gucci Première Menu

Gucci Première Lobster

151125727JF00083_Gucci_Prem

It was such a beautiful event and I felt very honoured to be part of it. Personally speaking, I like Gucci Première a lot. It is in stores now, here are more details:

Gucci Premiere

Top notes: Bergamot and orange blossom
Middle notes: White flowers and musk
Base notes: Leather and wood
Available as Eau de Parfum 30ml, 50ml and 75ml
Body Lotion 200ml, Shower Gel 200ml and Deo Spray 100ml

Stay tuned for an amazing interview I did with Blake Lively! To be posted very soon!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Gucci, © Getty Images and © Sandra Bauknecht