Gucci

[Images from Gucci's most recent show: A/W 2011. Designed by Frida Giannini. using bold vibrant colours with a 1970's feel throughout and furs sourced from Saga Furs.] 

Another brand that has strong equestrian connotations is Gucci, a brand that is celebrating their 90^th birthday this year. Since starting as a leather goods company in 1921 in Florence, Italy; it became an instant hit with the equestrian elite because of the iconic red and green stripes, derived from the saddlers and horse bit hard ware. And 1960 was when the hand bags with the snaffle bit decoration were first introduced.

Gucci doesn’t have a specific collection inspired by equestrian per say, they have a more consistent influence, to keep the companies roots alive. Guccio Gucci the founder of Gucci established the Gucci red and green stripe, the interlocking G’s and the use of horse bits though out the collection. In 1994 Tom Ford was appointed the creative director of Gucci and was in charge of RTW, merchandising and advertising. Since then he has rebranded the company to this sexy Gucci girl. Gucci has a distinctive style; it is exquisite Italian garments that have a chic finesse about them, there in nothing overly designed in the collection everything is tight fitting, flesh showing and a combination of fabrics, one of which is fur. Fur is always popular in a Gucci show. Tom Ford had strong support from Dominico De Sole, where they maintained the company’s history while updating the Gucci Trademarks. However in April 2004 the Ford and De Sole’s contracts ran out and Fridi Giannini was appointed the new Creative director.

Although Gucci doesn’t have obvious link with equestrian they support a lot of equestrian event, by sponsorship and have made their own limited edition equestrian range to sponsor various riders. Charlotte Casiraghi is one of them whom Gucci designed her and her show jumping team’s uniforms. After the company has had a 20 year break in the equestrian sponsorship. Charlotte, who is something of a thoroughbred herself (her mother is Caroline, Princess of Hanover, and her grandmother was Grace Kelly) enthused about the collection, which includes polo shirts and a leather cap, said “I am thrilled to be working with Gucci and especially happy to be playing a part in their timely return to the equestrian world. I would like to make a special thank you to Frida Giannini and her team for the truly beautiful designs.” Giannini was thrilled at the chance to create a horsey range as she is an enthusiastic rider herself.

Since December 2009 Gucci has sponsored the European Equestrian Masters in Paris. Christophe Ameeuw, General Manager of EEM, said, “The Paris Masters is one of the world's most important equestrian occasions, it is therefore very fitting that we have one of the world's most prestigious brands as the title sponsor. Gucci's heritage and values are the perfect complement”.

Ashley J