1980s Gucci Military Cotton Handkerchief
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2038219059402
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: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- 1980s Gucci Gold Metal Buckle Black Leather BeltBy GucciLocated in London, GBCrafted in Italy, this sleek black leather belt from Gucci boasts a lustrous gold-tone GG metal buckle. Condition: vintage, 1980s, overall good, minimal sign of wear Measurements:...Category
1980s Belts
- 2000s Giuseppe Zanotti Embroidered Dragon Black Leather Calf BootsBy Giuseppe ZanottiLocated in London, GBFlat boots in black leather featuring an embroidered multicolor dragon on front, Made in Italy The combination of leather construction, expert craftsmanship and unique design make t...Category
Early 2000s Italian Shoes
- 2000s Giuseppe Zanotti Black Blue Platform Faux Snake Skin Calf BootsBy Giuseppe ZanottiLocated in London, GBThese 2000s Giuseppe Zanotti boots boast genuine craftsmanship and quality materials for a sleek, textured leather finish. The rubber outsole ensures both style and comfort, making t...Category
Early 2000s Italian Shoes
- 1980s Escada Novelty Snooker Balls Buckle Leather Statement BeltBy EscadaLocated in London, GBRare Escada novelty belt from the 80s featuring snooker balls mounted on metal buckle, belt on shiny leather ,Made in Italy High-quality Italian leather and metal components make th...Category
1980s Italian Belts
- 2000s Dolce & Gabbana Cord and Gems BeltBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GBDolce & Gabbana brown belt in cord with rhinestone details, Velcro closure with gold tone metal closure, Made in Italy The high-quality Italian craftmanship on this belt makes it a ...Category
Early 2000s Italian Belts
- 2000s Christian Dior Geometric Wool Knitted Scarf ShawlBy Christian DiorLocated in London, GB2000s Christian Dior Geometric Chunky Wool Knitted, Scarf Shawl, black and white wool, fringes, Made in Italy, this classic, timeless design is not only fashionable, but also crafted...Category
Early 2000s Italian Scarves
- Majestic Olive Green & Black Polka Dots and Stripes Silk HandkerchiefLocated in New York, NYWonderfully elegant majestic olive green and black polka dots and stripes handkerchief accented with hand-rolled edges, measures 13 inches by 13 inches. Made in Italy.Category
1980s Italian Handkerchiefs
- Majestic Royal Blue Floral Silk HandkerchiefLocated in New York, NYThis wonderfully elegant majestic Royal blue floral silk handkerchief finished with hand-rolled edges, measures 16 1/2 inches by 16 1/2 inches. Made in Italy.Category
1980s Italian Handkerchiefs
- Dumont Black Border with Ivory, Gray & Steel Blue Palsey Silk HandkerchiefBy Patricia DumontLocated in New York, NYDumont elegant black border surrounding ivory, gray and steel palsey silk handkerchief accented with hand-rolled edges, measures 16 inches by 16 inches. Made in Italy.Category
1980s Italian Handkerchiefs
- Midnight Black with Ivory Border "Raindrops" Cotton HandkerchiefLocated in New York, NYThis wonderfully elegant midnight black with ivory borders surrounding "Raindrops" men's cotton handkerchief accented with hand-rolled edges measures 17 1/2 inches by 17 1/2 i...Category
1990s Italian Handkerchiefs
- Black "Chain-Link & Stones" Silk Handkerchief with Black BordersLocated in New York, NYElegant black silk handkerchief with "Chain-link & Stones" print surrounded by black borders, measures 13 inches by 13 inches. Edges are hand-rolled. Made in Italy.Category
1990s Italian Handkerchiefs
- Deep Multi-Color "Qs & Os" Silk HandkerchiefLocated in New York, NYDeep multi-colors of "Qs & Os" silk handkerchief accented with hand-rolled edges, measures 12 1/2 inches by 12 1/2 inches. Made in Italy.Category
1980s Italian Handkerchiefs
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.