JOANNE Watkinson
FASHION THAT’S A REAL WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE
Has anyone else noticed that there is a sudden rush on nostalgia?
So much of what is “new” is actually from a bygone time.
The Sex and the City reboot – And Just Like That... may have new storylines and a fresh wardrobe (minus stylist Patricia Field – but that’s a whole other column), but the feeling I get from the images of the new series being filmed is one of familiarity.
I wonder if that’s the reason Bond is so successful; the nostalgia is deep rooted, the formula of cars, gadgets, glamour, sharp suits. Despite the actor playing Bond changing every few movies, there are so many constants, it’s comfort viewing.
A movie released at the end of this month is steeped in fashion nostalgia – Ridley Scott’s House of Gucci starring Lady Gaga, Adam Driver, Al Pacino and Jared Leto. I won’t spoil the plot, but the crux of it is Patritzia Reggiani (Gaga) is Mrs Gucci, having married Mr Gucci.
For fashion lovers, the movie is a walk down memory lane.
Set in the 70s, 80s and early 90s before Tom Ford got his sexy hands on the famous fashion house, the film’s wardrobe was created by the director’s longtime collaborator, Janty Yates, with the blessing and support of Gucci, who loaned them archive pieces for authenticity.
The pre-release trailers give us a glimpse
of Gaga in character as Madam Gucci wearing a monogrammed tunic from the brand’s archives, a legacy print for Gucci and one that Gucci’s current creative director, Alessandro Michele has embraced and worked into his collections but with his own eclectic retro/ modern spin.
The iconic gold horse-bit detail was introduced by the brand’s founder Guccio Gucci. It’s part of the brand’s DNA and still features as hardware on its bags and shoes.
If I haven’t yet convinced you that nostalgia is a thing, check out the spring/ summer 2022 Gucci show – the Gucci Love Parade. Nineties icon Macaulay Culkin walked the runway and the brand shut down Hollywood Boulevard for the event last week.
With A-listers seated on Gucci monogrammed directors chairs lining the strip, the collection was inspired by old Hollywood movies and the venue chosen because of the memories it holds.
If Gucci says nostalgia is a thing, it is.