WHIMSICAL WILDNESS
Gucci celebrates its house aesthetics with a new collection of domestic décor, writes phoebe cheong
Just like its unforgettable designs on the runway, Gucci’s line of home décor brings to mind the signature whimsical and romantic aesthetics that the house is renowned for, the pieces in the collection showcasing familiar motifs and patterns straight from the catwalk.
A rule-breaking whirlwind of hues, patterns and designs, the Gucci Garden lexicon makes its influence ever present, whether it’s with pieces of text or assorted flora and fanciful creatures making their appearances on chairs, cushions and teapots. The range comprises a significantly sizeable collection of furniture, furnishings and decorative items, perfect for those who wish to add a touch of Gucci to their living spaces.
The collection centers itself on a commitment to the craftsmanship and artisanal skills of Italian makers and celebrates the rich culture found in Italian art. This spirit is embodied in Gucci Décor’s series of vases that are meticulously adorned with signature house slogans and patterns. Produced by the historically esteemed Richard Ginori company, the pieces are created through painstaking ceramic-firing processes that require a high level of manual adeptness and expertise. Many of the ceramic pieces are also handpainted. The black snake handles on the vases take approximately five hours to complete.
Based on the high-backed, canopy-covered chairs in which servant gatekeepers used to sit in England and 16th-century France, the collection also heralds the arrival of capitonné porter’s chairs tailored from coloured leather and velvet that come with drawers at the bottom. Made entirely by Tuscan artisans and characterised by its distinctive egg-shaped backrest, the armchairs take 64 hours to complete – 28 of which belong to making the capitonné
backrest alone. The drawers of each armchair are also upholstered with a Gucci jacquard fabric that can be found from previous readyto wear collections.
Gucci Décor has also expanded its range of ceramic mugs and candleholders with new designs featuring cats, stage-curtain images and jewel patterns, with Maison de l’Amour and Urtica Ferox text graphics also making themselves present. The latest porcelain candleholders, other than being larger than their predecessors, also feature threedimensional snakes on the lids of certain pieces. Some of them even display house patterns, like the classic green-on-white Herbarium florals and the “star eye” design, while other animal motifs from the Gucci Garden like bees, butterflies and cockerels perch themselves atop the porcelain pot lids.
The ceramic incense holders possess renderings of stag beetles and bees that help to support the incense sticks, which come in sets of a single scent packaged in a Gucci box. There are five scents available for both the candles and incense, the notes of which include ancient damask rose, birch, beeswax, freesia, leather and salt. Other ceramics also include the Ginori-made crockery collection, which features the Herbarium floral print and now sees new additions like plates, bowls and coffee pots. Even soup tureens have been added to the set.
A new selection of folding metal tables featuring vivid designs like tiger prints, the Gucci kingsnake and the recurring Urtica Ferox motif are also part of the collection, as well as a separate style of table where foldable metal legs support a decorated tray instead. These decorated trays are also available on their own, a canvas for patterns featuring the house’s signature flora and fauna.
Two new armchairs join the capitonné porter’s chairs and the previously launched vanity seat in bright floral jacquard and silver detailing. The first one is plush with decorative upholstery, winged arms and a tasseled fringe, while the other model is lower and deeper. The coverings for these new additions range from printed linen florals to decorative jacquard fabrics, which also include a dramatically coloured GG jacquard. Meanwhile, the highbacked beech-wood dining chairs come in two styles, featuring lacquered, colourful frames and padded seats etched with more house motifs like cats, roaring tigers, moths, bees and even the Staffordshire ceramic dog.
The lavish cushions in the collection come in an array of different shapes and thicknesses, featuring different design elements like tassels, border trims and crossstitched designs of roses, snakes, tigers and more. The fronts of the cushions come in velvet, while the backs of them feature either dazzling jacquards or their more subdued counterparts in moiré or linen.
A number of ornamental folding screens created to partition living spaces are also part of the décor line, and are covered in either patterned fabric or lurex jacquard. The collection even includes a range of unconventional wallpapers made from vinyl, paper or silk, with designs like roaring tiger heads or large white swans on a hot pink background.