The History of Gucci’s Creation
In 1897, Guccio Gucci, a young man from Florence, left his hometown to work as a porter at the luxurious Savoy Hotel in London. There, his exposure to the high-end luggage of the upper class provided him with invaluable insights, which later became the foundation of his own leather travel goods business. In 1921, Guccio officially opened his first store on Via della Vigna Nuova in Florence. The store not only sold imported suitcases but also featured handcrafted products made by local artisans. The superior quality of Guccio’s creations quickly gained the admiration of customers, and the Gucci brand began to make its mark.
However, during Mussolini’s rule, Italy faced trade embargoes that led to severe material shortages, particularly in leather. To overcome these challenges, Guccio, along with his sons Aldo, Vasco, and Rodolfo—who had by then joined the family business—displayed remarkable creativity. They began incorporating alternative materials such as wicker, straw, and wood alongside finely treated calf leather (cuoio grasso) to craft products that bore Gucci’s distinctive mark. (Around the same time, Salvatore Ferragamo, another renowned Florentine brand, was also adapting to material constraints by innovating with cork-soled shoes.) It was during this period that Gucci developed a woven hemp fabric featuring diamond patterns, which served as the precursor to the brand’s now-iconic GG monogram motif.
The year 1947 marked a historic milestone for Gucci with the introduction of the bamboo-handle bag. This small, structured bag was adorned with a curved bamboo handle, shaped using the heat of an open flame. By 1953, actress Ingrid Bergman carried a version of the bag in the film Viaggio in Italia, officially igniting a long-lasting romance between Hollywood and Gucci. Many other notable figures were said to have visited Gucci’s Florence store, including Princess Elizabeth (before she ascended the throne as Queen of England), Eleanor Roosevelt, and Elizabeth Taylor. Additionally, thanks to Rodolfo Gucci, a former actor, the brand caught the attention of his film industry friends, such as Bette Davis, Katharine Hepburn, and Sophia Loren.
In the 1950s, as the “la dolce vita” (sweet life) lifestyle flourished in Rome and Manhattan became the playground of the elite, Gucci emerged as the leading brand for stylish clothing and accessories. Over the next two decades, Gucci continued to open stores in luxurious locations worldwide. One day, at the Milan store, Grace Kelly purchased a silk scarf adorned with delicate floral patterns (later named Flora, a design that remains an enduring symbol of the brand). On another occasion, Jackie Kennedy Onassis chose a hobo bag. More recently, Alessandro Michele, Gucci’s creative director, reintroduced the hobo bag, the Diana bamboo-handle bag, and the Gucci Attache bag. Michele also spearheaded the designs of the Dionysus and Marmont bags—two styles that have maintained their status as “It bags” for years after their launch. Time will tell which bags, both new and old, will capture the hearts of fashion enthusiasts under the direction of Gucci’s upcoming creative director, Sabato De Sarno.
Ophidia
The Ophidia collection is perfect for fans of Gucci’s iconic GG motif or its signature green-and-red web stripe. The hallmark of this line lies in its constant updates and expansions since its debut in the Cruise 2018 collection under Alessandro Michele’s direction. These signature patterns can be found on boxy tote bags, mini shoulder bags, and a variety of other styles. For Spring 2024, Gucci introduces durable denim fabric in two pastel tones: peach beige and mint green.
Chain Horsebit
The Chain Horsebit collection embodies a perfect blend of classic and modern style. The highlight lies in the iconic Horsebit detail, reimagined by Gucci across designs like shoulder bags, hobo bags, and clutches. For Spring 2024, Gucci introduces premium leather in pastel tones such as soft pink, mint green, and beige, paired with elegant metallic chains. Chain Horsebit offers sophistication, elegance, and versatility for everyday style.
Blondie
Beyond the standout “L.O.V.E” message, Gucci’s Love Parade show introduced a stunning array of accessories. In addition to the previously mentioned Attache bag, the collection featured the Blondie—a simple leather flap bag with a removable strap, available as a shimmering gold chain, a slim fabric strap, or strapless. The bag is nearly devoid of elaborate embellishments, save for the striking Gucci logo, inspired by the brand’s patented 1971 emblem featuring two interlocking Gs, one upright and one reversed. The Blondie is a masterful modern homage by Alessandro Michele, Gucci’s creative director at the time, to the brand’s storied heritage. It’s a testament to how simplicity can often be profoundly captivating.
Gucci Horsebit 1955
The gleaming horsebit detail has graced Gucci products since 1953. Aldo Gucci, recognizing that customers loved historical narratives tied to their purchases, cleverly crafted the legend that the Gucci family were saddle makers for European nobility. He incorporated equestrian elements into the designs, with saddle-inspired stitching, green-and-red stripes inspired by girth straps, and the distinctive horsebit hardware. Aldo even replaced the image of a porter (reflecting Guccio Gucci’s former profession) with that of a knight in armor. By 1955, the horsebit had become one of Gucci’s most recognizable symbols, rivaling Chanel’s interlocking Cs. Subsequent designers have embraced this emblem, and in 2020, creative director Alessandro Michele reimagined it with a variety of new styles. The horsebit detail remains a testament to Gucci’s legacy and enduring creativity.
Jackie, 1961
Like the timeless allure of the woman it was named after, The Jackie is a handbag that stands the test of time. In 1961, Gucci introduced a hobo-style bag that caught the attention of Jackie Kennedy, the wife of the U.S. president and a noted admirer of Gucci loafers. According to legend, after a paparazzi photo captured Jackie carrying the bag—then called the Fifties Constance—the Gucci family quickly renamed it The Jackie. This classic hobo silhouette has undergone various reinterpretations under Tom Ford and Frida Giannini. Its latest iteration, launched in 2021 by Alessandro Michele, features a more structured design, an adjustable strap, and the iconic piston clasp. Back in 2014, Giannini chose Kate Moss as the face of The Jackie Bag campaign. Today, Harry Styles ushers in a new era for this enduring icon.
Diana
In the late 1990s, the image of Princess Diana elegantly carrying a milk-colored Gucci bamboo-handle bag became an iconic sight. The bag exuded sophistication, even when paired with casual outfits like biker shorts and sweatshirts. As we know, bamboo-handle bags are a long-standing tradition of Gucci, and this timeless design has always been a favorite.
On Princess Diana’s 60th birthday (July 1, 2021), Alessandro Michele unveiled The Diana Bag—a bamboo-handle tote inspired by the Princess’s iconic accessory. A standout feature of the new design is the double-G logo facing the same direction, showcasing Michele’s refined reinterpretation. Adding a playful twist, Michele incorporated neon elastic straps, a detachable detail that harkens back to Gucci’s use of bands to maintain the shape of traditional bamboo handles.
Marmont
Like the timeless allure of the woman it was named after, The Jackie is a handbag that endures through generations. In 1961, Gucci introduced a hobo-style bag that caught the eye of Jackie Kennedy, the wife of the U.S. president and a well-known fan of Gucci loafers. Legend has it that after a paparazzi photo captured Jackie carrying the bag—then called the Fifties Constance—the Gucci family quickly renamed it The Jackie. This classic hobo silhouette has undergone various reinterpretations under Tom Ford and Frida Giannini. The latest version, launched by Alessandro Michele in 2021, features a more structured design, an adjustable strap, and the iconic piston clasp. Back in 2014, Giannini chose Kate Moss as the face of The Jackie Bag’s campaign, and today, Harry Styles ushers in a new era for this iconic piece.
Dionysus
No other bag encapsulates the luxurious Greek-inspired aesthetic of Gucci under Alessandro Michele quite like the Dionysus—the very first bag he designed for the brand. The Dionysus crossbody features a double-flap design made from Gucci’s signature coated canvas, secured with a U-shaped metal clasp inspired by the Fall/Winter 2015 ready-to-wear collection. (With the Dionysus, Michele added a new emblem to Gucci’s repertoire: alongside the iconic horsebit, the snake motif became a striking addition.) Named after Dionysus, the Greek god of agriculture, wine, and revelry, the bag perfectly embodies Michele’s “more is more” philosophy. Its designs include enchanting jungle patterns, unique lightning bolt prints, and patches reminiscent of Boy Scout badges. Like a Greek deity, the Dionysus bag has been widely revered and continues to maintain its status as an “It-bag” since its debut.
Gucci Bamboo 1947
Bamboo and Gucci are as inseparable as the interlocking Gs in the brand’s logo. In the late 1940s, following World War II, Italy faced a severe leather shortage, limiting the use of leather in handbag production. True to the saying “necessity is the mother of invention,” Guccio Gucci ingeniously crafted curved bamboo handles, shaped into a U using heat—a timeless innovation that was patented and has since become iconic.
Throughout Gucci’s history, creative directors—from Tom Ford to Frida Giannini and Alessandro Michele—have embraced bamboo in their designs for both clothing and leather goods. The modern iteration of the iconic bag, now known as the Gucci Bamboo 1947, has remained largely unchanged since its inception. With no excessive logos, it exudes understated elegance and sophistication. Available in medium, small, and mini sizes, the bag is crafted from glossy leather, monogram canvas, and premium exotic skins, continuing its legacy as a timeless classic.
Attache
In 2020, Gucci hosted the Love Parade Los Angeles—a refreshingly unique event (held in Los Angeles instead of Milan, with Hollywood Boulevard transformed into a runway!)—and unveiled a brand-new bag. However, the Attache, this “new” creation, was actually a revival of a hobo-style bag from 1975 that Alessandro Michele believed deserved a modern comeback.
The Attache bag features a crescent shape with two ends that smartly clip together using a G-shaped metal clasp. This accessory hit store shelves a few years later, in Fall 2022. Crafted from soft suede, monogram canvas, and leather, each Attache bag is adorned with contrasting fabric trims in Gucci’s signature red-and-green or gold-and-green tones. Simply put, it’s a bag that has retro-loving fans of Gucci’s 1970s style absolutely enchanted.