Books about Gucci
Book Roundup - Books about Gucci
The fashion industry is a-buzz about the major motion picture about the Gucci family, starring Lady Gaga, Jared Leto, and Adam Driver, based on the book by Sara Gay Forden. Vogue wrote about how Lady Gaga dressed the part of Patrizia Reggiani. The Cut wrote about the true story behind the movie. And CR Fashion Book breaks down each House of Gucci Look. But the movie doesn’t tell the whole story. And Sara Gay Forden’s book isn’t the only account out there about the Gucci saga. Scroll down for 5 books you’ll want to read after seeing House of Gucci.
Who is Guccio Gucci?
Guccio Gucci, born on March 26, 1881, in Florence, Italy, is the visionary founder of the world renowned fashion house, Gucci. Renowned for his exquisite craftsmanship and keen eye for design, Gucci began his career as a leather craftsman, drawing inspiration from the luxurious luggage he encountered while working at prestigious hotels. In 1921, he established the House of Gucci, initially specializing in finely crafted leather goods. Over the years, Gucci expanded its offerings to include ready-to-wear fashion, accessories, and fragrance, becoming synonymous with timeless elegance and high-quality craftsmanship. Guccio Gucci's legacy extends far beyond his lifetime, as the brand he created has become a global symbol of luxury and sophistication, influencing the fashion industry for nearly a century.
Gucci's legacy has evolved significantly since its founding by Guccio Gucci in 1921. Initially established as a small leather goods and luggage shop in Florence, Italy, the iconic multifaceted brand gained popularity for its exceptional craftsmanship and commitment to quality. Guccio's sons, Aldo, Vasco, Ugo, and Rodolfo, played pivotal roles in expanding the brand internationally. In the 1950s and 1960s, Gucci became a favorite among celebrities and the international elite, known for its iconic double-G logo, horsebit loafers, and bamboo-handled bags.
However, by the 1980s, Gucci faced internal conflicts and suffered from a decline in product quality, leading to a tarnished image. The brand experienced a revitalization in the 1990s under the leadership of Tom Ford, who injected a fresh and provocative aesthetic. Ford's tenure marked a renaissance for Gucci, transforming it into a symbol of modern luxury and style.
In the 21st century, various creative directors, including Frida Giannini and Alessandro Michele, continued to shape Gucci's identity. Alessandro Michele, who took over in 2015, brought a whimsical and eclectic vision, revitalizing the brand with a mix of vintage inspiration and contemporary flair. Gucci has since embraced inclusivity, sustainability, and innovation (including fabrication methods), further solidifying its status as a cultural and fashion powerhouse. The brand's ability to adapt, reinvent itself, and stay relevant has ensured that Gucci remains a global leader in the luxury fashion industry.
The Gucci Museum
The Gucci Museum, also known as the Museo Gucci, is a heartfelt and personalized tribute to the iconic Italian fashion house located in the heart of Florence, Italy. Housed in the historic Palazzo della Mercanzia, the museum opened its doors in 2011 to celebrate the rich heritage and evolution of the Gucci brand. The museum showcases a meticulously curated collection of artifacts, garments, accessories, and archival materials that chronicle Gucci's journey from its humble beginnings as a small leather goods shop to its current status as a global fashion powerhouse. Visitors can explore the museum's exhibits, which include iconic designs, vintage luggage, and glimpses into the creative processes behind some of Gucci's most celebrated collections. The Gucci Museum provides an immersive experience, allowing fashion enthusiasts and art aficionados alike to delve into the brand's history, craftsmanship, and the innovative spirit that has defined Gucci for nearly a century.
The House of Gucci: A True Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour, and Greed
The House of Gucci: A True Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour, and Greed
by Sara Gay Forden
On March 27, 1995, Maurizio Gucci, heir to the fabulous fashion dynasty, was slain by an unknown gunman as he approached his Milan office. In 1998, his ex-wife Patrizia Reggiani Martinelli - nicknamed "The Black Widow" by the press - was sentenced to 29 years in prison for arranging his murder.
Did Patrizia murder her ex-husband because his spending was wildly out of control? Did she do it because her glamorous ex was preparing to marry his mistress, Paola Franchi? Or is there a possibility she didn't do it at all?
The Gucci story is one of glitz, glamour, intrigue, the rise, near fall and subsequent resurgence of a fashion dynasty. Beautifully written, impeccably researched, and widely acclaimed, The House of Gucci: A Sensational Story will captivate listeners with its pause-resisting account of high fashion, high finance, and heart-rending personal tragedy.
In the Name of Gucci
In the Name of Gucci
by Patricia Gucci
The gripping family drama and never-before-told love story surrounding the rise and fall of the late Aldo Gucci, the man who is responsible for making the Italian fashion label the powerhouse it is today, told by his daughter.
Patricia Gucci was born a secret: the love child whose birth could have spelled ruination for her father, Aldo Gucci. It was 1963, the halcyon days for the "must-have" brand of Hollywood and European royalty. Patricia's mother gave birth in secret in London before she was smuggled back to Vatican City and hidden from the fashion world, the media, and the rest of the Gucci family. Aldo couldn't afford a public scandal, but he could not resist his feelings for Patricia's mother, Bruna, the paramour he first met when she worked for him as a shop girl in Rome.
In In the Name of Gucci, Patricia Gucci charts her parents' untold love story, relying on her own childhood memories as well as an archive of love letters and interviews with her mother. She interweaves her parents' story with that of her own relationship with her father - from a little girl who remained a secret for 18 months and wasn't publicly acknowledged for her first decade, through her rise to become Gucci's ambassador and Aldo's protégé, to the moment when Aldo's three sons, who betrayed him in a famous palace coup, were disinherited and Patricia - once considered the shame of Gucci - was made sole universal heir. It is an epic tale of love and loss, betrayal and loyalty, sweeping among Italy, England, and America throughout the tumultuous years during the rise and fall of the House of Gucci.
Gucci Wars - Jenny Gucci's Story
Gucci Wars - Jenny Gucci's Story
by Mary Harboe
Behind the iconic Gucci name lies a family torn apart by betrayal, jealousy, greed and even murder. Jenny was an operatic student in Florence when she first caught the eye of fashion designer Paolo Gucci - grandson of the founder of the world's biggest fashion house. For ten years, as Mrs Gucci, she was blissfully happy living the life of ultimate luxury. However, she quickly learned that such privilege comes at a price.
Against the backdrop of boardroom rivalry and infighting, a dark side of Paolo's character emerged and Jenny's world turned upside down. When she took the unprecedented step of asking for a divorce, her husband swore to make her, and their daughter, homeless and penniless. No-one could have foreseen the lengths he was prepared to go in order to carry out his threat. Jenny has survived countless struggles and shocking trauma to emerge as a strong, independent woman. Her story will leave you breathless.
Little Book of Gucci: The Story of the Iconic Fashion House
Little Book of Gucci: The Story of the Iconic Fashion House
by Karen Homer
One of the oldest Italian fashion brands in existence today, Gucci was founded in Florence in 1921. Guccio Gucci established his company with the goal of creating opulent luggage for Italy's wealthy and fashionable upper-classes. With the signature Gucci print of dark brown diamonds on a tan background, interlocking G logo and red and green stripe, the brand has gone on to become the last word in Italian luxury.
Gucci's signature items – the belt, the bag, the loafer – transcend fleeting fashion trends, and have remained central to the house's identity into the twenty-first century. Under the stewardship of Tom Ford, Gucci epitomized the louche and mischievous 1990s aesthetic. Today, under Alessandro Michele, the brand's combination of romance and toughness is in hot demand. The Little Book of Gucci tells the story of this historic yet flourishing house, and the visionary looks that have cemented its place in fashion history./p
Gucci: A House Divided
Gucci: A House Divided
by Gerald McKnight
British journalist McKnight's full-scale account of Guccio Gucci's rags-to-riches story and the lives of his descendants begins with GG as a waiter at London's Savoy Hotel, through the aftermath of World War I, to the opening of the first shop in Florence in 1923. It shows how this man's keen appreciation for quality goods led to the growth of the business to 153 stores worldwide. Today the family is divided by shareholder fights, broken family life, tax-evasion lawsuits, and vendettas. McKnight includes court documents, newspaper clippings, and company papers for an objective biography of this mercantile empire.
Gucci: The Making Of
Gucci: The Making Of
by Frida Giannini
An unprecedented publication showcasing Gucci as never before, including thought-provoking essays, commentaries, and authoritative anecdotes along with previously unpublished contemporary and archival photographs. Published in conjunction with the opening of the new Gucci Museum in Florence, Gucci is the ultimate celebration of the world-renowned fashion house. Told through a loose grouping of words, concepts, shapes, and moods, the book tells its story through new conceptual forms and the free links between images, symbols, and objects. Edited by Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini, with essays and inserts by contributors including Katie Grand, Peter Arnell, Rula Jebreal, Christopher Breward and Stefano Micelli, Gucci: The Making Of is a dynamic record of a much-coveted brand that will be a must this season for anyone with a love of fashion and an interest in contemporary culture. This comprehensive volume showcases the genius of the fashion house through an exclusive lens with inside looks into the inspirations behind the design.
