Frida Giannini shows her love for the Big Apple with a special collection
Monday, January 14, 2008
Quote:
(NEW YORK) Gucci's love of New York is soon going to become very apparent--both by its new, and world's largest, flagship at 725 Fifth Avenue opening in February, and by a selection of exclusive products brand creative director Frida Giannini has designed to herald the occasion, identified by special "Gucci Hearts NY" branding.
The first collection, "Gucci Hearts NY," is an ode to the city, where Gucci first opened its doors in 1953. Giannini has taken Gucci's iconic webbing and its GG pattern canvas and reinterpreted them in white, shiny GG canvas complemented by bold red and royal blue stripes. The "Gucci Hearts NY" moniker, which uses Guccio Gucci's iconic signature, has been irreverently stamped across the fabric. Among the product offerings in this category are the Joy handbag, offered in three different sizes, as well as a silk scarf, priced from $320 to $770. A complementary collection of pieces has also been created in the form of a soft briefcase, toiletries bag, hard-sided luggage, a trolley suitcase, and a duffle bag in two sizes that ranges in price from $895 to $6,900.
Proceeds from the "Gucci Hearts NY" products will be donated entirely to Playground Partners and Patrons of the Central Park Conservancy, which will go towards the care and maintenance of the playgrounds in Central Park.
In conjunction with the opening, Gucci will also debut its first-ever Heritage collection. Conceived by Giannini, the collection features one-of-a-kind accessories in the form of five new handbags--several of them modern reinterpretations of classics like the Jackie and the Bamboo.
Giannini resurrected several iconic handbag models as well as a striking vintage print called Leonardo, which is exclusive to the New York store. A dazzling blend of red, green, and gold knots and flowers on a canvas background, the Leonardo print was first created in the 1950s. The date of inception aptly concurs with Gucci's initial expansion into the U.S. market and the opening of its first New York store in 1953.
"I loved this print the minute I saw it," said Giannini of the Leonardo print, which she has updated and incorporated using crocodile, ostrich, and python skins. "It has that timelessness that makes it forever chic. I thought immediately of the new Fifth Avenue store and our New York clientele who always want something unique and exclusive."
Home for this very special collection will be the ground floor of Gucci's new flagship. A dedicated Heritage department will be identified by a gold GG screen, designed to function like an exhibition space which features products on rotation, information on the brand, and video installations.
A series of small leather goods makes a charming addition to the collection. Two classic wallet shapes are offered in both precious skins as well as the Leonardo print. Mini handbags, also in skin or print, can be clipped onto the larger handbags, making the perfect add-on accessory. Also included in the collection are a pump and an ankle strap sandal with bamboo detail in the heel and the Leonardo print on the insole.
To complete the offering, the collection also includes a set of hard case crocodile luggage, including large and small suitcases, briefcases, and a watch case, which harks back to the grandeur of chic traveling essentials of the last century. Most notable is the large traveling trunk with drawers and hanging space, which is destined to be a collector's item.
Giannini has also included a men's and women's bomber jacket in the Gucci Fifth Avenue exclusive product range. Utilizing the brand's popular bomber jacket style, two versions have been reinterpreted: one in dark gold metallic python with black knit collar and cuffs for women, priced at $9,590, and a second in royal blue python for men priced at $8,990. In the fine jewelry category, Gucci has created an exclusive drop-cut cognac topaz and diamond cocktail ring and matching earrings, as well as a 45.11 carat necklace that boasts a drop-cut cognac topaz, offset by 156 diamonds. Also included in the Fifth Avenue collection is a special version of the Signoria watch in yellow gold and diamonds, with bone dial.
Gucci is also launching a special microsite to go along with the launch of the "Gucci Hearts NY" products. All "Gucci Hearts NY" and Fifth Avenue products can only be purchased at the new Fifth Avenue store and each bears an inscribed internal "Gucci 5th Avenue" plaque
__________________ WISHLIST: *Horizontal Lockit (GOT IT: 03/20/08) *Valentino Historie *Foley+Corinna Maple City *ManhattanGM *Damier Neverfull *Balenciaga Red or White Work *Damier Speedy 30
NEXT HANDBAG PURCHASE: July 08' (B*DAY...hopefully)
__________________ WISHLIST: *Horizontal Lockit (GOT IT: 03/20/08) *Valentino Historie *Foley+Corinna Maple City *ManhattanGM *Damier Neverfull *Balenciaga Red or White Work *Damier Speedy 30
NEXT HANDBAG PURCHASE: July 08' (B*DAY...hopefully)
[quote=laluella;33989]Eek...Some designs are better left on t-shirts. I can picture a stack of them piled up at the chinatown vendor.
Doesn't the bag already look like a knock off?
QUOTE]
I totally agree!!!
__________________ WISHLIST: *Horizontal Lockit (GOT IT: 03/20/08) *Valentino Historie *Foley+Corinna Maple City *ManhattanGM *Damier Neverfull *Balenciaga Red or White Work *Damier Speedy 30
NEXT HANDBAG PURCHASE: July 08' (B*DAY...hopefully)
I'm not sure how to post photos so I hope this works.
Chanel has done a CHANEL LA bag. I can't find a full photo but a few west coast friends have been talking about it.
It's supposedly quilted pearl lambskin with CHANEL stitched on and a huge orange LA stitched underneath it.
Eventhough I wouldn't buy it, I think this is better executed than the Gucci NY debacle. What do you think?
Eventhough I wouldn't buy it, I think this is better executed than the Gucci NY debacle. What do you think?
I agree...
__________________ WISHLIST: *Horizontal Lockit (GOT IT: 03/20/08) *Valentino Historie *Foley+Corinna Maple City *ManhattanGM *Damier Neverfull *Balenciaga Red or White Work *Damier Speedy 30
NEXT HANDBAG PURCHASE: July 08' (B*DAY...hopefully)
I can't decide if I like it or not? I LOVE NY... cute idea but I don't know if I would wear it. And I'm a die hard NY person. Yankees, Giants, Rangers, and the Nicks. 5th Ave, Soho, Noho, Tribeca, Chelsea, Upper East Side, Upper West Side, Broadway, Times Square, Little Italy... what's not to love about NY? Anytime something says NY I gotta get it. But hmm... I'm not sure about these bags. I don't know what to think... I come from a Manhattan family.. we usually have nothing but love for ANYTHING NY. I gotta ask the family what they think of these bags!
__________________
2008 WISHLIST!:
1. LV MC Speedy 30
2. LV Damier Speedy 30 ;3. Pink Cherry Blossom Retro;
4. Maybe a piece from the NEW Murakami line.. Camouflage
For those who are a fan of this bag, visit GucciLovesNY for your chance to win one. (It's a photo contest... so strike your best pose). This is Gucci's dedicated website for their NY flagship relaunch. They are seeking a picture of you with your favorite Gucci bag at your favorite NYC location. Please note: This contest is only open to age 18+ residents of NY, NJ or CT. See the site for more details.
Good luck to those who enter!
Last edited by laluella : January 28th, 2008 at 06:36 PM.
A little more info..."The Contest period will begin on January 28, 2008 and will end at midnight on February 28, 2008 (the "Contest Period")...At the end of the Contest Period, four (4) winners will be selected based upon the submission's creativity, originality and on other criteria to be determined by Gucci."
You can scroll around on the map and click the purple hearts to see already entered user submissions. So far, there have been only 13 contestants so the odds of winning are high.
I won't be entering because I am not in love with this bag. But to fellow TBF'ers who are...get going, get creative and good luck!
Gucci Hearts NY
“The difference between style and fashion is quality.” - armani
i want to enter. did anybody else?
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