A master saddler named Guccio Gucci founded a company in 1921 that functioned as a small workshop for leather goods and luggage in Florence. Born Guccio Gucci in 1881 his father was a leather craftsman in Florence (Italy)

Guccio left Florence and earned his money as an elevator boy and maitre at the Savoy Hotel. In 1920 he returned and opened his business the following year.

Quickly it was clear that Gucci would be successful with it, because he founded very soon several branches. The family tradition of the house Gucci stands for the highest quality and craftsmanship of its products.

A bamboo handle should make the company even more famous in 1947, the in this year he launched the famous handbag with the bamboo handle, the Bamboo Bag.

The Bamboo Bag had been launched as the first best-seller out of necessity. At that time, there was an obvious lack of material to design a handbag and they resorted tobamboo.

Worldwide expanded in the 50s and 60s the company Gucci

The initials ,,G" of the founder Guccio Gucci were intertwined and it became a symbol of luxury worldwide. Among the dazzling customers in this time already Grace Kelly, Jackie Onassis also Rita Hayworth.

Many of Gucci's designs are also inspired by horse sports, among other things.

In 1953, Guccio Gucci passes away. He left behind four sons Aldo, Vasco, Ugo and Rodolfo. All four sons had their own branches in Florence, Rome and Milan.

After the death of Guccio Gucci was due to a long-standing family dispute almost the entire company destroyed.

By 1991, the company's descent was unstoppable - Gucci was running millions in losses.

One drama followed another, a tragic tragedy happened on March 27, 1995. Maurizio Gucci was just 45 at the time, he was murdered on the marble steps outside his office building on Via Palestro in Milan by two shots to the head.

Patrizia Reggiani had her ex-husband Maurizio murdered.

For this contract murder of her ex-husband, she was initially sentenced to 29 years in prison, to 26 years the sentence was then reduced and for reasons of good behavior, she was released after 18 years in prison.

Patrizia's mother died in 2019, leaving her real estate, land, etc. worth 14 million. Maurizio was one of Gucci's heirs and a nephew of Aldo's.

In 1989, the company was sold entirely to an investment firm in Bahrain. Under the leadership of Tom Ford as a marketing expert, the company again reached heights.

Gucci today belongs to the French group Kering and Alessandro Michele is subject to the creative leadership.

Known Gucci bags are, for example:

• Gucci Marmont
• Gucci Dionysus
• Gucci Ophidia
• Gucci Horsebit
• Gucci Shoulder Bag GG Canvas
• GucciHorsebit Tote Cream
• Gucci Horsebit Hobo Bag

Text: Sabine Prangenberg

Image source: Guccio Gucci

• By author unknown - Available in SAN - Archivi della moda del Novecento and uploaded in partnership with the Istituto centrale per gli archivi (ICAR)., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=45402121

Text Sources:

• https://www.tt.com/artikel/30789927/gucci-witwe-patrizia-reggiani-opfer-eines-betrugsfalls
• https://www.welt.de/icon/partnerschaft/article159516807/Die-dunkle-Familiengeschichte-hinter-dem-Luxus-Konzern.html
• https://wienerin.at/guccio-gucci?page=2
• https://whoswho.de/bio/guccio-gucci.html#
• https://www.itstuscany.com/de/die-toskaner-die-geschichte-geschrieben-haben-guccio-gucci/