Brown Gucci Leather Horsebit Loafers
About the Item
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 35 (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Pre-owned. Good. Scuffing at soles and throughout leather. Added heel pads.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU147220670282
Gucci
Long before trend-bucking creative director Alessandro Michele brought his hallucinatory “Utopian Fantasy” campaign to Gucci, it was a modest Italian leather shop. Today, it’s an internationally renowned luxury house with an iconic logo, and vintage Gucci clothing, handbags and shoes are among high fashion's most covetable goods.
Guccio Gucci (1881–1953) admired the stylish suitcases he saw wealthy guests arrive with at the Savoy Hotel in London, where he worked as a bellhop. So, in 1921, after a stint at Franzi, a luggage company in his hometown of Florence, he opened a leather goods shop of his own.
At first, Gucci’s Florence business specialized in equestrian accessories. But as its reputation flourished, particularly among the English aristocracy, so too did its footprint. In 1938, he brought three of his sons — Aldo, Vasco and Rodolfo — into the business and expanded it to Rome and later Milan. In the mid-1930s, a League of Nations embargo against Italy pushed Gucci to experiment with alternatives to imported leather. Its woven hemp fabric from Naples, adorned with the brand’s signature diamond print, was a hit, especially among A-list celebrities. The material was first used on suitcases before finding enduring popularity on handbags. (No list of revered designer purses would be complete without Gucci.)
In the 1950s, Elizabeth Taylor carried one of Gucci’s bamboo-handled tote bags, another adaptation to material rationing. After Jackie Kennedy was seen sporting a slouchy Gucci tote in 1961, it was renamed for the First Lady. Then Grace Kelly, on a visit to the boutique in Milan, inspired Rodolfo Gucci to work with Italian illustrator and Gucci textile designer Vittorio Accornero on the Flora print in 1966. Taking cues from Sandro Botticelli’s Primavera, with its pattern of flora and insects, it was painted entirely by hand and featured no fewer than 37 colors.
In 1953, just 15 days after opening his first store on New York’s 5th Avenue, Guccio passed away at 72. The early 1970s saw store openings in Tokyo and Hong Kong, but by the late 1980s, Gucci was floundering. Rodolfo Gucci took charge in 1982, but family drama and lawsuits ensued. In 1993, Rodolfo’s son, Maurizio, transferred his shares in the company to Investcorp, ending the family’s involvement in Gucci. Dawn Mello, then-president of Bergdorf Goodman, joined as creative director in 1989. But it was Tom Ford, who took over as creative director in 1994, who ultimately revived the brand.
Ford’s racy ads, shot by photographers such as Mario Testino, stirred controversy. And his potent vision of sexed-up femininity — with “jewel-toned satin shirts unbuttoned to there,” as Vogue described his breakthrough 1995 runway show — was wildly successful. The new millennium brought new ownership — Pinault Printemps Redoute in 2004 — and a more toned-down vision from Frida Giannini, who became sole creative director in 2006. Alessandro Michele was named creative director in 2015, and the storied brand took a giant leap forward.
Find vintage Gucci clothing and accessories on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New York, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
- Blue Christian Louboutin Patent Ballet Flats Size 37By Christian LouboutinLocated in New York, NYBlue patent leather ballet flats by Christian Louboutin. Designer Size: 37 US Recommended Size: 7Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Shoes
- Black Gianvito Rossi Pointed-Toe Buckle Ankle Boots Size 39By Gianvito RossiLocated in New York, NYBlack leather pointed-toe ankle boots by Gianvito Rossi. Block heels. Buckle accents at shafts. 5" shaft height, 2" heel height. Designer Size: 39 US Recommended Size: 9Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Shoes
- Black Chanel Cap-Toe Faux Pearl-Accented Ankle Boots Size 38.5By ChanelLocated in New York, NYBlack suede cap-toe ankle boots by Chanel. Faux pearl accents at grosgrain block heels. Zip closures at inner sides. 5" shaft height, 1" heel height. Designer Size: 38.5 US Recommen...Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Shoes
- Silver Roger Vivier Patent Pointed-Toe Comma Heels Size 39By Roger VivierLocated in New York, NYSilver metallic patent leather pointed-toe pumps by Roger Vivier. Comma heels. 3" heel height. Designer Size: 39 US Recommended Size:9Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Shoes
- Yellow Roger Vivier Satin d'Orsay Buckle Flats Size 39By Roger VivierLocated in New York, NYYellow satin d'Orsay ballet flats by Roger Vivier. Crystal-embellished buckle adornments at toes. 0.25" heel height. Designer Size: 39 US Recommended Size: 9Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Shoes
- Black & Grey Roger Vivier Suede Ballet Flats Size 39By Roger VivierLocated in New York, NYBlack and grey square-toe suede ballet flats by Roger Vivier. Designer Size: 39 US Recommended Size: 9Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Shoes
- GUCCI Sea Foam Green Platform Espadrille SandalsBy GucciLocated in Morongo Valley, CAGucci platform espadrille sandals in pastel green with braided raffia heels. Suede cage upper and ankle straps, featuring a contrast...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoes
- 2000s Versace Satin Lace Up Heels (37)By VersaceLocated in Rochester, GBIconic vintage Versace black lace up heels from the early 2000s, in a black satin finish. Gold leather to the heel bases featuring the brands Versace log...Category
Early 2000s Shoes
- Mach & Mach Silver Double Bow 100 Crystal Pvc PumpsLocated in Scottsdale, AZIntroducing the epitome of elegance and glamour: the Mach & Mach Silver Double Bow 100 Crystal PVC Pumps. Crafted with precision and passion in Italy, these stunning shoes are a test...Category
2010s Italian Shoes
- Black Velvet Sandals from Gianvito RossiBy Gianvito RossiLocated in Bilbao, ESBlack velvet sandals with open toe and crossed straps. Made In: Italy Color: Black Material: Velvet Marked Size: 38 Europe Heel Height: 11,5 cm/ 4,53 inches To introduce you to the ...Category
1990s Italian Shoes
- LAMARCA Pink Velvet SandalsLocated in Bilbao, ESPink velvet sandals from LAMARCA featuring an open toe, an anckle strap fastening with a side buckle fastening and a high square heel. Made In: Spain Color: Pink Material: Velvet...Category
1990s Spanish Shoes
- Dolce and Gabbana flower Jacquard Jewelry PumpsLocated in Carnate, ITDolce and Gabbana Jacquard Pumps. Spring summer 2017 collection. Ready to wear. In floral patterned fabric and jewel buckle. Italian size 38 Inner sole 24 cm Heel 10 cm They come wit...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Shoes
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
Explore a Century of Gucci Fashion in London
The iconic Italian label’s traveling exhibition has just arrived in London.
The Stories behind the Most Famous Luxury Fashion Logos
From Chanel to YSL, the logos of some legacy fashion houses spark instant brand recognition and have come to symbolize a kind of luxury that feels at once aspirational and attainable.