Gucci’s Alessandro Michele puts his signature eclectic spin on a new collection
Since taking over as creative director in 2015, Alessandro Michele has constantly been makingwaves for Gucci. One might be hard-pressed to clearly define his aesthetic, which is inspired by a mix of unique contemporary and historical imagery. This has done wonders for the fashion house—Michele’s touch has made Gucci desirable to a younger audience without having to compromise the brand’s legacy.
His spring/summer 2019 collection was no different. Concluding Michele’s threepart homage to Paris (the pre-fall 2018 campaign was reminiscent of the city’s 1968 student protests while the cruise 2019 show was mounted at the Promenade des Alyscamps in Arles), the s/s collection was shown at Théâtre Le Palace. The venue was originally a theatre and dance hall in the 17th century and was turned into a nightclub in the ’70s frequented by the likes of Andy Warhol, Yves Saint Laurent, and Karl Lagerfeld. “I chose a small theatre that’s been the symbol of a different scene that doesn’t represent the French grandeur,” says Michele about the venue.
The show paid tribute to Leo de Berardinis and Perla Peragallo, Italian visionaries whose approach to theatre was avant-garde. Opening the show was an experimental short film by the duo that was resurrected from the ’70s and featuring two models who appeared to be under the influence while roaming the halls of an antiquated house. The models then walked down the aisle from the back of the theatre, crossing paths in the middle before climbing up the stage.
Though the show was set in Paris, the collection has a ’70s Americana vibe to it. The Westworld trend is here to stay, as both male and female models came out wearing white cowboy hats and fringe was ever-present in most of the looks. Gucci paid tribute to country legend Dolly Parton whose face—printed on the clothes—appeared on a sleeveless denim jacket and a baby pink tracksuit and whose style inspired some cowgirl looks. It did the same for rock icon Janis Joplin: the model in the opening was in a red sequinned dress, a pink feather boa, and a wealth of accessories, including a printed hat. Gucci also uses its love for iconography in its continued collaboration with Disney and featured Mickey Mouse’s head as a handbag.
