19 Totally Gucci Facts About Everyone's Favorite Brand

1 Those double Gs? They stand for Guccio Gucci

Guccio founded the empire in Florence, Italy in 1921. His specialty was luggage, since one of his first jobs was working in the Savoy Hotel in London as an elevator operator. There he welcomed the likes of Marilyn Monroe, who later carried his accessories.

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2 Gucci Was Inspired By Horse Racing

Image Source: Getty / Vanni Bassetti

That's where his signature hardware design comes from — its crafted to look like horse bits and stirrups.

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3 Gucci's First New York Store Was Opened in 1953

Image Source: Getty / Mondadori Portfolio

It was the first-ever Italian luxury goods brick-and-mortar opened stateside. This was also the same year Guccio Gucci died, and his four sons took over managing the fashion house. Today, the brand has over 550 stores. Above, Grace Kelly leaves a boutique in Rome in 1959.

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4 The Iconic Gucci Loafer Was Created in 1932

Image Source: Getty / Vanni Bassetti

While original models of the footwear are displayed in New York’s Museum of Modern Art, street style stars these days are all about the fur-lined styles.

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5 Canvas Was Introduced During World War II

Image Source: Getty / Edward Berthelot

Due to material shortage, the Gucci team resorted to cotton canvas instead of leather during World War II. This is when the signature red and green bands were developed.

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6 Gucci's Had Plenty of Automobile Collaborations

Image Source: Getty / Kevork Djansezian

In the early 1970s, Gucci made over the AMC Hornet car, luxuriating the “Sportabout” station wagon with Gucci stripes and the Gucci crest.

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7 Tom Ford Was Artistic Director From 1994 to 2005

Image Source: Getty / PAOLO COCCO

Mr. Ford modernized the brand through an American lens and brought major success.

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8 Frida Giannini Was Appointed Creative Director in 2005

Image Source: Getty / TIZIANA FABI

At first, women’s ready-to-wear and accessories were under her watch, but she took control of the entire brand the following year. Ms. Giannini started working for Gucci in 2002.

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9 Gucci Was Ranked 38th Most Valuable Brand

Image Source: Getty / Timur Emek

The Forbes World’s Most Valuable Brands list ranks Gucci at 38. The label is valued at $12.4 billion.

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10 The “Gucci Group” Doesn't Only Include Gucci

Image Source: Getty / George Rose

It encompasses labels like Bottega Veneta, Saint Laurent, Stella McCartney, and Alexander McQueen too.

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11 Alessandro Michele Became Creative Director in January 2015

Image Source: Getty / Catwalking

Born in Rome, Alessandro was Senior Accessories Designer at Fendi, then spent time at Tom Ford in 2002.

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12 Gucci Had No Problem Collaborating With a Spinoff Graffiti Artist

Image Source: Getty / Venturelli

For Fall ’16, Michele collaborated with GucciGhost, aka Trouble Andrew, a graffiti artist who splashed his signature playful prints onto shoppers, crossbody bags, and even a midi skirt.

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13 The Dionysus Is the Bag All the Fashion-Girls Want

Image Source: Getty / Christian Vierig

Many versions are covered with plants, birds, and insects and on the arms of celebs and street style stars alike.

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14 Gucci Opened a Museum in Italy

Image Source: Getty / TIZIANA FABI

It spans 1,715 square meters and charts the brand's 90-year history. Gucci Museo is located within the Palazzo della Mercanzia in Italy.

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