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.
$899
H 6 in Dm 3.13 in
Hallmarked Gucci - Italy Silver-Plate Horse Head Stirrup Cup Barware - Hunt Club
By Gucci
Located in St. Louis, MO
Circa 1970s Hallmarked Gucci - Italy Silver-Plated Horse Head hunting Equestrian Stirrup Cup. This drinking / vessel cup can rest on the head or be displayed turned over with the he...
Silver Plate, Metal
Silver Stirrup Cup Goblet Antelope Head Hunting Equestrian Barware Decor 1970s
By Gucci
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Silver Stirrup Cup Goblet Antelope Head Hunting Equestrian Barware Decor 1970s. 1970s Stirrup Cup With The Head of A Deer or Antelope. Silver plated deer head with antlers stirrup cup. The stirrup cup can be displayed on their base and upside down on their antler. Beautifully detailed with textured top, the stirrup cup adorned with a cast deer...
Silver Plate
$1,500
H 6 in W 5.5 in D 3 in
Hallmarked Gucci - Italy Silver-Plate "Elk Head" Stirrup Cup Barware - Hunt Club
By Gucci
Located in St. Louis, MO
Circa 1970s Hallmarked Gucci - Italy Silver-Plated Elk Head hunting equestrian theme stirrup cup. This drinking / vessel cup can rest on the head or be displayed turned over with th...
Metal, Silver Plate
English Aluminum Figural Horsehead Wine or Champagne Cooler.
By Arthur Court
Located in New Orleans, LA
English aluminum figural horsehead wine or champagne cooler made by Arthur Court Designs.
Aluminum
$11,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 5.75 in W 4 in D 2.88 in
Henry Chawner English Georgian Sterling Silver Fox Stirrup Cup 1788
By Henry Chawner
Located in New York, NY
George III sterling silver stirrup cup. Made by Henry Chawner in London in 1788. A low and pointed fox head with flexed-back ears and bared teeth expressive of scampering glee. The c...
Sterling Silver
Mauro Manetti Stirrup Cup, Brass & Silver Plate, Boar Head, 1970
By Gucci
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Mauro Manetti classic style stirrup cup, is of plain beaker form with a cast boar head to one end. Playful stirrup cup from the 1970s in brass and silver plate. Gorgeous stirrup cup ...
Silver Plate, Pewter, Brass
Ubaldo Vitali Contemporary Sterling Silver Horse Trophy Bowl
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary sterling silver trophy bowl. Traditional Revere form with curved and tapering sides, and stepped foot; applied horse bust. Fully marked including stamp for Ubaldo Vitali...
Sterling Silver
$1,295
H 12 in W 6.5 in D 5.5 in
1970's Equestrian Decanter, Pitcher In Nickel Silver and Frosted Glass Barware
Located in North Miami, FL
This lovely nickel silver plated and frosted glass equestrian vintage head decanter or pitcher would make a great addition to the bar. It is from the 1970...
Nickel
Gucci Italian 1970's Silver Plated Stag's Head Stirrup Cup
Located in Queens, NY
Italian (20th Century) silver-plated stirrup drinking cup with stag head top (missing wooden base) (signed: GUCCI, ITALY) (missing wooden base - small dent on rim of base)
Silver-Plated Vide-Poche with Horse Head Handles, France, 1970s
By Christofle
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Silver-plated metal trinket dish with horse head handles, made in France in the 1970s. This elegant decorative silver-plated dish is distinguished by its sculpted handles depicting two stylized horse heads, adding a refined and sculptural equestrian touch. Both functional and decorative, this trinket dish can be used as a centerpiece, decorative bowl, jewelry holder, or small serving tray. Its understated design combined with the animal details evokes the chic and sophisticated style of 1970s French interiors. A decorative piece full of character, ideal for a classic, Hollywood Regency, or equestrian-inspired interior. Style : Hollywood Regency Equestrian chic French vintage Mid-Century modern Neoclassical 1970s Key features : Silver-plated metal Sculpted horse head handles Sleek, round shape Made in France France, 1970s Can be used as a trinket dish or centerpiece Decorative and functional design Beautiful vintage patina Good vintage condition Keywords: silver-plated bowl, horse head handles, equestrian decor, French vintage centerpiece, Hollywood Regency bowl, horse vintage decor, silver trinket dish, French silver plate tray, equestrian serving dish, vintage horse decor...
Silver Plate
Silver plated Vase with inlaid gemstones by Emilia Castillo Mexico
By Emilia Castillo
Located in Kelkheim (Taunus), HE
Silver-Plated Designer Vase with Gemstone Inlays by Emilia Castillo (Mexico) This exceptional vase originates from the studio of the renowned Mexican designer Emilia Castillo and co...
Multi-gemstone, Silver Plate
Opulent horse bronze by Wolfgang Binding 2002
Located in Kelkheim (Taunus), HE
Stunning horse bronze by the German artist and sculptor Wolfgang Binding (*1937). The artist's works can be found in public spaces, in the Guggenheim Museum in New York, in private...
Bronze
Chaîne D'ancre Vase by Hermès Paris
By Hermès
Located in Kelkheim (Taunus), HE
Chaîne d'Ancre Vase by Hermès Paris, set of 2. Pair of imposing silver-plated vases from the Mainson of Hermès Paris, decorated with the classic decor "Chaîne d'Ancre". Height...
Metal, Silver Plate
Black porcelain Vase by Jan van der Vaart for Rosenthal Studio Linie
Located in Kelkheim (Taunus), HE
Vase or art object? The designer Jan van der Vaart (1931–2000) created this vase for the renowned German brand Rosenthal. Made in Germany and marked with the Rosenthal Studio-Line h...
Porcelain
Large porcelain bud vase by Johannes Gebhardt, 1970s
Located in Kelkheim (Taunus), HE
Artist: Johannes Gebhardt (1930–2020) Object: Bud vase Material: Porcelain Date: Late 1970s / early 1980s Dimensions: Height: 22 cm Width: 18 cm Depth: 17 cm Signature: Signed insi...
Porcelain
Large porcelain bud vase by Johannes Gebhardt, 1970s
Located in Kelkheim (Taunus), HE
Artist: Johannes Gebhardt (1930–2020) Object: Bud vase Material: Porcelain Date: Late 1970s / early 1980s Dimensions: Height: 21,5 cm Width: 19 cm Depth: 17 cm Signature: Signed in...
Porcelain
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.
