Summertime Nostalgia

Gucci's Summer Stories reinstates the Italian Maison’s extensive house codes into summer hues.

- Sadiq Shah

It has been four shows across two seasons now that Gucci presented without a creative director at the helm. The case: Sabato de Sarno was handed the creative reins in late January this year, but it will be in September that his full collection debuts. Until that happens, the Italian Maison has consistently reinforced its extensive house codes within its recent collections, currently being designed by the in-house team. A seemingly precedented move - but if not that, what is a heritage house to do when no one has been instated into the lead creative position of pushing the house forward?

Originally founded in Florence, Italy in 1921, Gucci's current dominance has since extended beyond leather goods into other categories like ready-to-wear, beauty, homeware and even pet accessories with the help of its various creative directors. From Tom Ford's sensual vixens to recently departed Alessandro Michele's maximalist geeks, Gucci's design language is varied and distinct, and has evolved within each of their tenures.