Since taking the reigns as Gucci’s creative director in 2015, it’s fair to say that 46-year-old Italian designer Alessandro Michele has taken the storied brand in directions no one saw coming but everyone has loved.
Every single season the designer surprises and delights and not just on the runway but also in his choice of ambassadors and models for his advertising campaigns – who didn’t swoon over Dakota Johnson in the Gucci Bloom fragrance ad?
So of course Michele’s latest fashion trick, Gucci’s Spring 2019 runway show, is another one for the history books.
Here, we wrap up the highlights from the show.
1. The location
For the first and only time, if word on the fashion street is to be believed (it is), Michele presented the show in the French capital during Paris Fashion Week. Traditionally, the Italian label shows in Italy during Milan Fashion Week but for Spring 2019 Michele presented in Paris continuing the brand’s “three-part homage to France”, which Fashionista reports is Michele’s current creative vision for the brand.
The location? A historic nightclub-turned-theatre called Théâtre La Palace which, until now, has never hosted a fashion show.
2. That Dolly Parton jacket
Gucci sent a sleeveless denim jacket down the runway printed with a huge picture of legendary American country singer and actress Dolly Parton. The brand posted a picture of it to the ‘Gram with the caption explaining the artwork as a tribute to “the most honoured female country performer Dolly Parton.”
3. Even Mickey Mouse got Guccified
Michele took Disney’s beloved Mickey Mouse character and turned him into a handbag, which is sure to become the next must-have it bag.
4. Jane Birkin gave a surprise performance
Part-way through the show, the English-born actress, model and singer rose from her front row seat and dropped a surprise performance of her 1983 song, Baby Alone in Babylone. Birkin then took her seat once more and the show continued.
5. The collection referenced the ‘70s and ‘80s in the best possible way
The bright, colourful collection referenced styles from the late ‘70s to the early ‘80s including oversized hats, shades, chunky beaded necklaces, sequins and feathered detailing.
6. Salma Hayek watched the show through opera binoculars
The actress dazzled in a purple beaded frock and watched the show from her balcony seat through opera binoculars, proving that Gucci is not just fashion it’s theatre as well.
