Alessandro Michelle leaves Gucci after seven years as creative director. Founded in Florence, Italy, in 1921, Gucci is one of the world’s most famous luxury brands.
The designer announced his retirement recently via Instagram, with the following post: ‘Today an extraordinary journey ends for me, lasting more than twenty years, within a company to which I have tirelessly dedicated all my love and creative passion. During this long period Gucci has been my home, my adopted family’.
So what about Gucci’s future? Michelle’s team has taken over until a new creative director is appointed, as there has been no official announcement as to who his successor will be.
Some would say nobody can live up to Alessandro. Since joining as creative director in 2015, Michelle has constantly challenged the fashion world with his own take on fantasy, glamour and sophistication, creating distinctive campaigns that have drawn on historical and pop culture references; Greek mythology; art and cinema; and almost anything that is part of our cultural baggage.
Michelle’s several collaborations with the art world, such as The Artist Is Present, with Mauricio Cattelan, have won Gucci credibility from the art world, which has been key to the intellectual and economic growth of the brand.
The film campaigns Michelle created while at Gucci show the way that he can work with a mix of past, present and future, to create outstanding scenarios. For example the Gucci Spring Summer 2016 Campaign Film worked beautifully with nostalgia. Shot by the film director Glen Luchford in Berlin, this sensuous short film references Christiane F to evoke German 80s pop culture.
The light green suit; glittery looks; chic floral prints; bird prints; and bright colours that this campaign works with are unique.
Whoever Gucci chooses to replace Michelle will have a lot to live up to, but it will be exciting to see what direction they take the brand.
The image is a still from the Gucci Spring Summer 2016 Campaign Film
Edited by Freya Barnes
