Gucci "Limited Edition" Thick Black Lucite & Optional Hanging Earrings" Sunglass
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU24713527512
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 PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Porsche Lightweight Titanium Accented with Italian-Red Rubber Arms FramesBy Porsche DesignLocated in New York, NYPorsche wonderfully lightweight titanium frames are highlighted with Italian-Red rubber arms for comfort. Along one arm are etched "Porsche Design". Th...Category
1990s Italian Sunglasses
- Crome Hearts "Limited Edition" Black Glasses with Black Leather and Metal LogosLocated in New York, NYCrome Hearts "Limited Edition" Black metal accented with black lambskin leather stitched arms as well as their signature metal logos and etched...Category
1990s British Sunglasses
- Ic! Berlin Signature Lightweight Titanium Black with Steel-Gray Rubber SunglassLocated in New York, NYIc! Berlin signature lightweight black titanium frames are accented with steel-gray rubber arms for comfort. Made in Germany, the the front meas...Category
Early 2000s German Sunglasses
- Ic! Berlin Black Signature Lightweight Titanium Flexible Arms SunglassesLocated in New York, NYIc! Berlin wonderfully lightweight signature black titanium frames with flexible arms sunglasses, made in Germany, measures 5 3/4 inches across the fro...Category
Early 2000s German Sunglasses
- Jean Paul Gaultier Gold Tone Accented with Stud SunglassesBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in New York, NYJean Paul Gaultier wonderfully detailed gold tone sunglasses are detailed with micro-studs on the center-front as well as the corners. The arms are accented with the signature etched...Category
1990s Japanese Sunglasses
- Judith Leiber "Shades of Violet" Lucid with Micro Rhinestone "Leafs SunglassesBy Judith LeiberLocated in New York, NYJudith Leiber wonderfully detailed huge sunglasses with "Shades of Violet" lucid accented with detailed micro rhinestone "Leafs" on the arms. The front...Category
1980s Unknown Sunglasses
- 1980s Christian Dior Honey Geometric Oversized CD SunglassesBy Christian DiorLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a pair of fabulous oversized Christian Dior sunglasses. From the 1980s, these honey-colored sunglasses feature an oversized octagonal frame and are made complete with a re...Category
1980s European Visors
- Christian Dior by John Galliano Faux Turtle Shell Rimless Oversized D SunglassesBy John Galliano for Christian Dior, Christian DiorLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a pair of brown faux turtle shell Christian Dior rimless sunglasses, designed by John Galliano. From the early 2000s, thes...Category
Early 2000s European Visors
- F/W 2003 Christian Dior by John Galliano Green Yellow Wrap Bandage SunglassesBy Christian Dior, John Galliano for Christian DiorLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a pair of green and yellow Christian Dior wrap sunglasses, designed by John Galliano. From the Fall/Winter 2003 collection, these fabul...Category
Early 2000s French Sunglasses
- S/S 1994 Gianni Versace Safety Pin Medusa Gold Brown Acetate SunglassesBy Gianni VersaceLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a pair of incredible brown and gold-tone Gianni Versace sunglasses designed by Gianni Versace. From the Spring/Summer 1994 collection, these sunglasses feature a subtle ca...Category
1990s Italian Sunglasses
- Hermes Wool Fisherman HatBy HermèsLocated in Scottsdale, AZCommand your wardrobe with this Hermes Wool Fisherman hat. This wool silk blend hat is perfect for winter and fall festivities. It will offer you the warmth and comfort you need for the winter months without sacrificing you any style points. Pair with your favorite Chanel tweed or Ysl trench coat...Category
2010s French Hats
- Black Velvet Bubble Veil Clamshell Saucer Hat with Provenance – O/S, 1930sLocated in Tucson, AZFrom the estate of French heiress (and sister of WWI aviation hero and French Open namesake Roland Garros) Gilberte Garros, this magnificent saucer hat comb...Category
1930s Tunisian Hats
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.