Gaga for Gucci
Why all things old and new from the legendary line are flying off the shelves
wHEN Alessandro Michele, Gucci’s new creative director, debuted his first women’s collection in February, the fashion crowd went insane for the brand’s new look: flouncy dresses, fur coats and granny-chic accessories with a lived-in vintage feel. Now, in the wake of Michele mania, older Gucci wares are selling fast at New York City’s vintage boutiques.
“We’re seeing many requests for everything Gucci,” says Seth Weisser, CEO of Soho secondhand emporium What Goes Around Comes Around. “There has been greater interest in the brand with the new creative direction.”
Founded in 1921 by former hotel porter Guccio Gucci, the Florence, Italybased label spent most of the 20th century riding a reputation for impeccably crafted, “made in Italy” leather goods. The brand got a shot of high-octane glamour when Tom Ford took on the role of creative director in 1994 and helped turn it into a cool, billion-dollar empire, though interest had waned in recent years. According to Laura Fluhr, president of Upper East Side institution Michael’s Consignment, Gucci items — especially bags and other accessories — are already commanding higher prices than in 2014.
But she says the flip side to the buzz factor is they’re getting in fewer products to sell.“More people are holding on to [their Gucci pieces],” she explains .“They’ re realizing that this new guy is making the brand a little sexier and bringing it back to the forefront.”