FG10 covers: The Making if the GUCCI BAG!

FRIDA GIANNINI

creative director of Gucci

Frida Giannini’s unique talent and modern vision have fueled her rise as the leading creative force behind one of the world’s most celebrated fashion houses.

Born in Rome in 1972 to an architect father and art history professor mother, Giannini studied fashion design at Rome’s Fashion Academy before apprenticing in a small ready-to-wear house. In 1997, she went to Fendi where she worked as a ready-to-wear designer for three seasons before being named designer for Fendi leathergoods.

In September 2002 she joined Gucci as Handbag Design Director. Two years later she was appointed to a newly created post, Creative Director of Accessories, where she assumed unprecedented control of bags, shoes, luggage, small leathergoods, silks, fine jewelry, gifts, watches as well as eyewear. Giannini flourished in this expanded role, and brought a powerful new perspective to Gucci’s accessories collections. Using the Gucci archives as a starting point, she transformed house classics such as the Flora scarf pattern and equestrian iconography into novel and hugely successful designs.

In 2005, she was named Creative Director of Gucci Women’s ready-to-wear, in addition to her responsibility for all accessories. In 2006, she took over menswear, thus rising to sole Creative Director of the label. Giannini accepted this significant responsibility with aplomb, quickly establishing her individual stamp on the house. Her design approach and focused management style are informed by sharp confidence and decisiveness, as well as her uniquely feminine and distinctly Italian point of view.

The combination has proven to be powerful, as witnessed by her consistent ability to design collections, which not only influence global fashion trends but that are also directional at retail. Under Giannini, a new design oeuvre for Gucci has emerged, one which celebrates the house’s inimitable past and its expertise in luxury craftsmanship, all the while adding youth, color and a playful extravagance.

The WORK behind THE BAG!!
From the past to present

Gucci workshop, Florence, 1940s

picture courtesy of Gucci

Craftsmen, Gucci Florence workshop, 1940s

picture courtesy of Gucci

Craftsman, Gucci Florence workshop, 1953

photo taken by Foto Locchi

was a joy to watch! such CRAFT! made me fall back in love with GUCCI

In Its 90^th Year Gucci Brings Florentine

Craftsmanship to Dubai

May 11^th, 2011 – In the year that sees the celebration of its 90^th anniversary, tonight Gucci will host a private cocktail party at its store in the Dubai Mall on occasion of the Artisan Corner, an exclusive event that brings the craftsmanship of Gucci’s Florentine leather goods factory directly to its clientele. On May 11th and 12th, the House's most skilled artisans will be stationed at custom-built workshops and will offer a unique viewing of time-honored traditions. As they assemble some of the most iconic handbags, customers can witness first hand the meticulous attention to detail and superb craftsmanship that is involved in the production of every item in Gucci’s leather goods collection.

The hand-crafted products will be personalized with hand-embossed monogramming and will feature a special inside plaque embossed with the location and date. Clients that make a purchase during this event will receive a personal letter from Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini, thanking them for their purchase. The Artisan Corner display includes custom work tables, a sewing machine, a leather stand, and metal tools, as well as additional background materials which show the products’ evolution from mood board to sketches. An accompanying video display will show Gucci’s artisans at work over the years, also reflecting the fact that these skills are handed down through family generations.

Following Dubai, the Artisan Corner will travel to Kuwait and Qatar later this month.