Gucci

Overview

Gucci Group, an Italian company with a Dutch address that sells French fashion, does quite well in Japan, too. Offerings include handbags and other leather goods (more than 35% of sales), shoes, ready-to-wear clothing, cosmetics, skin care, jewelry, and watches. Gucci family squabbles and imprudent licensing once nearly doomed the firm. New management revived it with fresh product lines and stricter licensing, as well as investing heavily in its Asian presence. Gucci has about 200 company-owned and franchised stores worldwide. In 2004 French retailer PPR (formerly Pinault-Printemps-Redoute) purchased almost all of the remaining shares in the company, taking its interest up to 99.39%.

The creative Director of Gucci is Frida Giannini's her unique talent and passionate disposition has fuelled her rise as an international designer for one of the most recognized luxury fashion brands. She was born in Rome in 1972, she studied fashion design at Rome's Fashion Academy before apprenticing in a small ready to wear house. In 1997, she landed a job at Fendi where she worked as a ready to wear designer for three seasons before being named designer for Fendi leathergoods. In September 2002, she joined Gucci as Handbag Design Director. Two years later, she was appointed to the unprecedented role of Creative Director of Accessories in charge of bags, shoes, luggage, small leathergoods, silks, fine jewellery, gifts, watches and eyewear. She took on the position with her trademark confidence and conviction, and has brought a powerful point-of-view to the house's accessories.In March 2005, she was named Creative Director of Gucci Women's ready-to-wear, in addition to her responsibilities for all accessories. In January 2006, she also became in charge of men's wear, thus becoming the sole Creative Director of the label. Her fresh and joyous vision combined with her savvy interpretation of the Gucci legacy has delighted fashion followers around the world. She has also been embraced by Hollywood, where her designs frequently grace the red carpet.Like the brand she designs for, Frida has chosen to base in Florence both her professional and private life. She works in Gucci's offices in the town and resides with her husband in a 15th century apartment in the centre of Florence.

Gucci continues its global expansion, true to the original aspirations of Aldo, now targeting the Far East. Stores open in Hong Kong and Tokyo. T1980s In 1982, Gucci becomes a public limited company, and leadership is passed to Rodolfo's son, Maurizio Gucci, who holds 50 percent of the shares. In 1984, Domenico De Sole becomes president of Gucci America. Investcorp, a Bahrain-based investment company, purchases the remaining 50 percent belonging to Aldo Gucci and his descendants in the late 80s. Gucci is relaunched to global renown through a groundbreaking mix of tradition and innovation. Domenico De Sole is appointed CEO in 1995, and Gucci makes the highly successful transformation to a fully public company. Gucci is named "European Company of the year 1998" by the European Business Press Federation for its economic and financial performance, strategic vision and management quality. In 1999, Gucci enters into a strategic alliance with Pinault-Printemps-Redoute and transforms itself from a single brand company into a multibrand group.
 * The evolutsion of Gucci begain in 1921, Guccio Gucci opens a leather goods company and small luggage store in his native Florence. Having spent years working in London's Savoy Hotel, he had absorbed the refined aesthetic of English nobility, and introduces this sensibility in Italy through exclusive leather goods created and produced by the master craftsmanship of Tuscan artisans. In the 1940s Gucci was faced with a shortage of standard materials during the difficult years of Fascist dictatorship in Italy, Gucci establishes itself as an enterprise synonymous with exceptional creativity and resourcefulness. The "Bamboo Bag" is introduced, becoming one of the first of Gucci's many iconic products. During the 1950s, the trademark green-red-green web, which is derived from the saddle girth, becomes a great success and remains one of the most familiar identifiers of the brand. With stores opening in Milan, New York, London, Palm Beach, Paris and Beverly Hills, Gucci starts to build a global presence as a symbol of modern luxury. Saod to say Guccio Gucci dies in 1953. His sons Aldo, Vasco, Ugo and Rodolfo took over the business. That is why Gucci introduces products that are cherished by the most iconic figures of the time and become renown for timeless design. Jackie Kennedy carries the Gucci shoulder bag, which is known today as the ‘Jackie O’. At the end of the 60s, Gucci adopts the legendary interlocking double 'G' logo. In the 1970s


 * employment opportunities

Gucci is a growing and dynamic business which prides itself on the spirit and professionalism of its employees worldwide. Gucci continually seeks to attract industry-leading professionals who are entrepreneurial by nature and thrive within a flat, performance-orientated organization. The teamwork among Gucci's employees is the foundation of the company's success.

Gucci is committed to equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate in the terms or conditions of employment because of age, race, color, creed, sex, national origin, physical disability, mental disability, marital status, sexual preference, citizenship status, veteran status or any other basis forbidden by U.S. Federal, state or local law.


 * for information on the Gucci Group, and the group's brands, please visit our websites:

Gucci Group Alexander McQueen Balenciaga Bédat &amp; Co Bottega Veneta Boucheron Sergio Rossi Stella McCartney Yves Saint Laurent