Vintage GUCCI 2011 Pure Silk Copper & Gold Chain Print Kaftan Shift Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Sheffield, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU3407219273142
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: Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- 2000's Donatella Versace Y2K Barbie Pink Real Leather Shift Mini DressBy VersaceLocated in Sheffield, GBEarly 2000's Deadstock Versace Jeans Couture shift dress in baby pink Leather. Complete with Versace Medusa gold tone metal hardware and elegant, fine chain belt detail with Medusa e...Category
20th Century Italian Shift Dresses
- Y2k Gold Knitted Christian Lacroix Sheer lace Panelled Lamé Logo Mini DressBy Christian LacroixLocated in Sheffield, GBChic, 2000's Vintage Mini dress by Christian Lacroix, in a shimmery Gold Lamé Knit with a sheer lace panel detailed front and printed signature logo reverse. MADE IN ITALY. Pit...Category
Early 2000s Italian Mini Dresses
- Understated Prada 2000's Black Tactical Shift DressBy Miuccia Prada, PradaLocated in Sheffield, GBUnderstated 2000's Prada long shift dress, constructed from typical black PRADA nylon material, featuring tactical style buckle component details. Features: Rounded neckline Fitted...Category
20th Century Italian Shift Dresses
- 1990's Moschino 'Symbols' Cheap and Chic Maxi Dress in Beige & BrownBy Moschino, Franco MoschinoLocated in Sheffield, GBVintage 1990's Moschino 'Cheap & Chic' label printed maxi dress in a fun punctuation symbols pattern in a beige & brown colourway. MADE IN ITALY ! Features: 'Symbols' print Cheap...Category
1990s Italian Maxi Dresses
- Fun Courrèges 1960'S Pink Ruffle Detail Floor Length Maxi Cocktail DressBy André CourrègesLocated in Sheffield, GBA Superb, Beautiful 1960's COURRÈGES maxi dress, with pink watercolour print and flamboyant silk ruffles. Features; Floor length hem Concealed zip down front Fully lined interior ...Category
1960s French Maxi Dress
- Vivienne Westwood F/W 2008 Red long sleeve Avant Guard Full length Maxi DressBy RED LABEL by VIVIENNE WESTWOOD, Vivienne WestwoodLocated in Sheffield, GBBeautiful Vintage long sleeved avant guard maxi Dress from F/W 2008 by Vivienne Westwood (Look 35). This beautiful, long sleeved full length Dress is crafted from a mixture of wool...Category
Early 2000s European Maxi Dresses
- Vintage 1980’s Callaghan wool jersey dress with corduroy detail & leather beltBy CALLAGHANLocated in COLLINGWOOD, AUThis beautiful, vintage early 1980's Callaghan wool jersey dress with unique corduroy detail to the cuffs and bind on the raglan sleeve is designed by Gianni Versace when he was work...Category
1980s Italian Aesthetic Day Dresses
- Le Nard 1980s Belted Long Sleeve Feather Print DressLocated in Scottsdale, AZStep into the bold and vibrant spirit of the 1980s with our Le Nard Belted Long Sleeve Feather Print Dress—a statement piece that fuses fun, nostalgia, and contemporary style. This m...Category
1980s French Day Dresses
- Mascara 1990s Asymmetric Draped Polka Dot DressLocated in Scottsdale, AZThis Mascara Paris asymmetric draped dress is sooo funky and eye catching! Get a look at this gorgeous draped style which features an asymmetric cut at the sleeves and gives way to ...Category
1990s Informal Dresses
- Comme des Garcons Homme Plus brown wool knitted v-neck sweater dress, A / W 1995By Comme des GarçonsLocated in London, GBAutumn-Winter 1995Category
1990s Japanese Day Dresses
- 1980s Leopard Kaftan DressLocated in Scottsdale, AZStep into the spotlight with our 1980s Leopard Kaftan Dress, a striking statement piece that captures the essence of 80s fashion. This kaftan style dres...Category
1980s Kaftans
- Vivienne Westwood red striped cotton jersey dress, ss 1989By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GBVivienne Westwood red striped cotton jersey dress with printed baroque metallic gold picture frame. Civilizade, Spring-Summer 1989Category
1980s British Day Dresses
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.