The Name Behind the Brand: Celebrating the Life of Guccio Gucci

When the house of Gucci was founded it was a small, family-owned leather goods boutique. The major brand's humble beginnings were pioneered by the Florence-born businessman Guccio Gucci. As a young man, Guccio worked at the luxurious Savoy Hotel in London, where his initial interest in leather goods was established. He found himself drawn towards the upper-class guests' opulent suitcases and bags. As a result, he returned to his hometown in Florence with the intention of founding his very own eponymous store. On Guccio's birthday, L'OFFICIEL celebrates his influential existence within the luxury realm and his contributions to the success of one of today's top fashion houses. 

In 1921, the very first Gucci store opened and the international powerhouse of a brand was officially founded. Of course, no one foresaw the grandeur of acclaim Gucci would soon possess. The store's first customers were mainly horsemen seeking out leather accessories, but Gucci quickly expanded its clientele. In 1938, Guccio opened a second location in Rome with the help of his son, Aldo. From there, the brand began its climb towards major success. The small business that started with one man expanded to include the entirety of the Gucci family, with three of Guccio's sons—Adolfo, Rodolfo, and Vasco—the most involved. In 1951, Gucci opened a store in the epicenter of the fashion world, Milan. As an Italian native, Guccio hoped to keep the brand exclusively on Italian soil, but just weeks before his death his sons opened the first-ever international Gucci boutique in New York City. After the loss of their father, the Gucci brothers fought to maintain control of the company, which produced palpable familial conflict that carried on for another generation. Nevertheless, Gucci persisted. 

Guccio's efforts were always defined by his focus on superior quality. He once said, "The bitterness of poor quality is remembered long after the sweetness of low price has faded from memory.” As a designer, he aimed to create pieces that were everlasting and acknowledged that the highest standards of craftsmanship would garner a higher price tag. The foundation that Guccio built for Gucci can be seen within the brand's famous signatures and commitment to total luxury. Gucci's continued inclusion of an equestrian flair started with Guccio's affinity for the recognizable horsebit motif. The same glamorous metal detail decorates Gucci's most notable pieces today, like its loafers and handbags.