There are close to a million reasons why Gucci has taken over the world this past year. From fashion, beauty, music and social media, the luxury brand has been endorsed by some of the biggest names resulting in a surge in overall growth, exposure and influence around the world.
We’ve narrowed down some of the most significant and groundbreaking Gucci-related stories of the year.
Gucci Mane Wedding
We couldn’t possibly celebrate the year of Gucci without a full recap of Gucci Mane’s all-white wedding ceremony to Keyshia Ka’oir. The lavish event, which was live-streamed online via BET took place on October 17th featuring a ton of star-studded friends like Big Sean, Lil Yachty and 2Chainz as well as family and fans. After being released from prison in May 2016, the two shared intimate aspects of their relationship through social media – so it makes sense that The Mane Event – would also be televised.
Gucci releases a series of chunky sneakers
Following in the footsteps of Raf Simmons and Balenciaga, Gucci made moves by jumping on the chunk ‘dad’ sneaker bandwagon with the release of their Rhyton sneaker in three different versions. From a simple leather distressed model to two options that feature a clearly labeled Gucci logo, the men’s sneakers provide a simple but ignorant approach to hyped streetwear trend. Check them out, here.
Gucci takes Forever 21 to court
This isn’t the first time that Forever 21 has decided to “borrow” influence from other artists and brands. In a lawsuit launched by Gucci earlier this year, the luxury retailed claimed that the fast fashion brand ripped off the infamous red-green and red-blue stripes that have a long history of affiliation with the Gucci brand. Along with Zara, who is routinely called out through social media for taking ideas from successful online startups, the court ruled in favour of Gucci and came to the conclusion that Forever 21 had in fact knocked off the trademark design. However, the legal battle is still ongoing.
Gucci releases first fragrance by Alessandro Michele
After taking the place of Frida Giannini as the creative director of Gucci, Alessandro Michele released a new Gucci fragrance, Gucci Bloom, this year that continued to shed light on the company’s choice to rebrand their image with new products, designs and risky fashion choices. To promote and bring awareness to the significance of the new scent, Gucci teamed up with Spanish artist Ignasi Monreal to create installations in New York City (Lafayette Street, SOHO) and Milan (Largo la Foppa) dubbed the #GucciArtWall.
Gucci surpasses Saint Laurent
New choices over the past year have clearly paid off, as Gucci surpassed Saint Laurent in the fashion industry with a 50% sales jump. According to French luxury group Kering, Gucci now accounts for 60% of overall profits, adding that the surge in footwear sales – loafers, sneakers and slides – played a major role in the growing significance of the Gucci brand and logo.
Lil Pump – ‘Gucci Gang’
Lil Pump’s chart topper ‘Gucci Gang’ arrived at just the right time, and is likely to go down in the books as one of the most played songs on your Spotify playlist this past summer. After being endorsed by some of the biggest names in the industry, Billboard announced that the track is the shortest song to reach the Top 10 of Billboard’s Top 100 in history – almost. At 2:04 minutes long, the track barely surpasses Dickie Goodman’s ‘Mr. Jaws’ released 42 years ago, at 2:03 minutes long.
Rihanna’s crystal Gucci bodysuit at Coachella
While Rihanna’s fashion choices have always been over the top, she took things to the next level when she showed up to the Coachella Valley Music and Arts festival this Spring wearing a full rhinestone-covered Gucci bodysuit that was featured in the Fall 2017 runway collection. Paired with a Gucci tank and a pair of sneakers from her PUMA x Fenty collection, this pairing blurs the line between cozy and chic.
Gucci fashion memes
While promoting the new Le Marche des Merveilles watch collection, Gucci took advantage of social media and the popularity of memes in an attempt to go ‘viral’ by commissioning artists and influencers across the world to come up with memes that played off of elements of the new collection – while at the same time incorporating a humorous element that forced people to share, create – and pay attention. That Feeling When Gucci ultimately became a trending hashtag #TFWGucci and encouraged consumers to express themselves and how they style their Gucci products.
Mike Will Made It, 21 Savage, YG, Migos – ‘Gucci on My’
Artist and producer Mike Will Made It has a tendency to release catchy and almost addicting music with a response rate that is hard to beat. With the help of 21 Savage (who released his new record, Issa Album, earlier this year), YG and Migos, the group worked collectively on a track that continuously shouts out the luxury retailer on the chorus “Gucci on my shirt, Gucci on my h—s.” Naturally, the team is fully decked out in Gucci in the themed music video.
Credit: Sharp Magazine
Trouble Andrew for Gucci at SAKS
Trevor Andrew, also known as Trouble Andrew, and the man behind the GucciGhost collection dawned upon the 6 to create an impressive installation alongside SAKS Fifth Avenue in Toronto, kicking off the brands 150 year celebrations in Canada. With a completely decorated show room and window complete with graffiti walls and tributes to his hometown of Nova Scotia, the snowboarder turned designer combined his roots with his passion for fashion to bring guests into the world of custom and curated Gucci.
Petra Collins for Gucci
Toronto’s Very Own Petra Collins, who has grown in popularity this year as a creative director for campaigns with big industry names like Selena Gomez and Rihanna, made an impact in the realm of all things Gucci by playing a key role as the face of the Gucci Bloom campaign. After working alongside Dakota Johnson and Hari Nef as a model, she was commissioned by the fashion house to direct a new film that paid tribute to her Hungarian roots – featuring Gucci’s Spring Summer 2017 eyewear collection.
Ava Nirui’s bootleg Gucci brick
Just in case the Supreme brick hype wasn’t enough, notorious Instagram influencer Ava Nirui (@avanope) decided to create her own bootleg interpretation by spray painting bricks with the Gucci logo. While she has made rounds on social media for the unique mashups she creates with the help of inspiration from different brands, she recently released a collection of hoodies for Marc Jacobs (“Mark Jacobes, est. 1985”) – which sold out in less than a day.