The Rags-to-riches Story Of A Lift Boy Who Built One Of The World's Most Luxurious Brands Gucci

It takes some people years of hard work, for some it's sheer luck. For others, it's a combination of both. Gucci's extravagant rag-to-riches story is all about sheer perseverance which has made the brand the world's most famous today.

When we talk about the brand Gucci, we immediately think about celebrities, huge fortunes, glamour, etc. This brand has been synonymous with luxury and sophistication for decades.

Gucci bags are an object of desire for women around the world, and the brand is also known for its shoes, belts, sunglasses, and other accessories. The buckle moccasin with a green and red strap and the bag with a bamboo handle are definitely the biggest icons of this brand. To understand a little more about the brand's success today, it is necessary to go back in time and understand its history:

Founder of Gucci

One of the most desired brands in the world, Gucci turned 100 last year. Founded by Guccio Gucci in Florence in 1921, it became known for its travel bags, with a high standard of quality made by artisans born in the Tuscany region.

Luxuryabode

Guccio Gucci was born to Tuscan parents, Gabriello Gucci, a poor leather craftsman from San Miniato, and Elena Santini, from Lastra a Signa in Florence, Italy, in 1881. When he was 17, he left his country to travel to London where he found a job at the Savoy Hotel as a lift boy where he was inspired by the richness of the guests who carried the luxurious luggage, and from there he understood what differentiates quality bags from cheap bags, and how it affects a design.

The beginning of Gucci

At the end of the First World War, Gucci returned to Italy. In 1921 he founded "La Casa Gucci" (House of Gucci) in Via Della Vigna Nuova 7, where with the help of skilled craftsmen he started selling leather suitcases and bags with classic styles and high-quality materials that came from the Tuscany region.

Guccio knew well what materials would be chosen for his products, and how they would be combined to make an item even more attractive to customers. The collection of his leather bags was magnificent, sales were high, and the brand eventually became famous.

It didn't take long for the high bourgeoisie and Florentine nobility to discover this innate talent and start looking for its products. We can say that in a short time, the brand was already on people's lips, imposing itself as one of the best known among the country's elite.

As his success was notorious, he managed to get money to open his own workshop behind his shop and then began to produce his merchandise on-site.

When Gucci faced problems

During the 1930s, the success of his brand grew steadily. International customers flocked to his store for specific products, such as the already famous Gucci bags, trunks, gloves, shoes, and belts at the time.

History

Guccio was engaged in expanding his business when a big problem arose. In 1935, Italy was ruled by dictator Benito Mussolini and leather was difficult to obtain under his regime. Guccio's entire business was based on leather but Guccio had a solution during that time, he started using silk instead of leather in most of Gucci's products.

Guccio's son took the responsibility to grow the brand after his death

Starting from a small place and a small shop, making his business a big brand, Guccio Gucci passed away in 1953. After his death, his sons, Aldo, Vasco, and Rodolfo Gucci worked hard on this brand and the dominance of this brand reached Hollywood and became very popular among Hollywood celebs.

Rodolfo managed the company's Italian interests, overseeing the opening of a store in Milan, while Vasco oversaw operations in Florence. Aldo moved to New York, where he opened the first Gucci boutique outside of Italy.

The main mission of the heirs Aldo, Vasco and Rodolfo was to expand the label, first in Rome, then Milan, and finally, throughout the 1950s, and the United States. And indeed, they did. In 1953, when the first Gucci boutique opened in New York¡¯s Savoy Plaza Hotel, as a tribute to Guccio Gucci for his time as a lift boy where it all began. The founder, however, died a few days after this release.

Gucci bag with a bamboo handle

In 1947, Gucci launched a bag model that would become the brand's flagship: the Gucci bag with a bamboo handle, which literally seduced women with its elegance and charm. The bag, in a short time, was used by famous celebrities and people of high society.

Gucci world record

According to various reports in the '90s, Gucci jeans made a world record for the most expensive jeans in the world. In 1998, Gucci jeans were sold for a whopping $3,134 in Milan. Jeans were distinguished by the fact that bright birds and flowers were embroidered along their entire length. But in 2005, this record was broken after a Japanese citizen bought Levi's trousers for $60,000.

The Gucci Museum

The Gucci Museum was opened in 2011 at Trade Palace in Florence where you can learn about the history of the Gucci brand. Among the exhibits: a riding suit courtesy of Charlotte Casiraghi, Princess of Monaco, a Bamboo Bag with a bamboo handle, as well as the very first products of this brand, which are represented by suitcases, sports accessories, and floral Flora print.

How Tom Ford saved Gucci

After many family controversies, lawsuits, and many problems, the name of Gucci was in the mud. The brand came to be controlled by a group of investors, leaving out all family members.

AFP

In the late 1990s, a very well-known new commander, Tom Ford, was welcomed by Gucci. The young designer revolutionized the brand, betting on the relaunch of successes, such as bags and loafers with Gucci's unique identity.

During his time at Gucci, Tom brought a more modern air to the brand, changing the types of advertising campaigns, and models and creating irresistible new collections. After many years at the helm of Gucci, Tom Ford quit the company and started his own brand, which is a great success to this day.

With so many ups and downs, Gucci is still one of the most powerful brands in the world. With each new collection, this brand innovates with breathtaking releases, which proves that Gucci is the perfect brand for those who never want to go out of style!