Gucci did not necessarily suffer from a style decline in recent years, but it hasn’t been as popular as, say Yves Saint Laurent, or the perpetually fashionable Chanel. This has recently changed dramatically, and in a short amount of time. It’s the accessories that have seen the biggest revival – from colourful adorned handbags, to the simple black belt featuring the iconic Gucci logo. What has caused this recent explosion?
As a luxury brand, exclusivity is the name of the game. In Ireland, Gucci is sold through Brown Thomas, at a lone concession stand on Grafton Street, and in Kildare Village. Second-hand pieces can be found in consignment stores across the country. One of the most popular of these stores is Siopella, based in Dublin and online. If it is so difficult to come across, is it its exclusivity that has made Gucci so popular?
Classic black gucci loafers are a heavily sought after item at the moment with high street shops such as River Island copying the trend. The loafers are at the lower end of the price spectrum, starting at €495 for the ‘Princetown Leather Slipper’, with some of the more elaborate shoes reaching the €2000 mark. Is the guts of five hundred euro an insane amount to spend on a pair of shoes just because they are popular right now?
It is difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of the recent popularity. Maybe it is just another wave that has sent the fashion world into a frenzy, but at the moment Gucci are covering all their bases, from the basics to quirky pieces. This is due to a change in management in January 2015 when Alessandro Michele was appointed as Creative Director. Michele injected an element of fun into the company, mixing bright colours and pop art designs set against the classic double ‘G’ emblem. The basic design of most pieces have remained traditionally the same. Maybe it’s the balance between the old and the new that has Gucci’s following ever growing; I don’t know. What I do know is that fashion is fickle. Gucci may be heading down the same route as Dolce & Gabbana, whose collection each season seem to be the same as the last.