GUCCI UNVEILS THE ART OF SILK EDITION
words by NIA TOPALOVA
Located in the fifteenth-century Florentine palazzo, “The Art of Silk” tells the story of the House’s extraordinary silk scarves, from its inception as a gift to Princess Grace of Monaco, to its revivals by Gucci creative directors, namely Tom Ford, Frida Giannini, Alessandro Michele, and Sabato de Sarno. The cover of the book features Gucci’s most famous print, the “Flora”, inspired by Botticelli’s Allegory of Spring.
“The Art of Silk” campaign, captured by photographer Steven Meisel and starring actress Julia Garner, pays homage to Gucci’s legacy in silk craftsmanship. The House tasked nine artists – Robert Barry, Everett Glenn, Sara Leghissa, Currynew, Jonny Niesche, Gio Pastori, Walter Petrone, Yu Cai, and Inji Seo – to create the 90x90 project, featuring five key Gucci themes that have recurred throughout its history: flora, fauna, nautical, equestrian, and the GG monogram. The 90x90 project reflects the measurements of the classic silk scarf while evoking Gucci’s history and using the silk scarf as an artistic medium. The artists created emotional and beautiful interpretations of the scarf, reflecting both the House and their unique and individual approach. The 90x90 project is featured in the new book, GUCCI: “The Art of Silk”.
Gucci’s journey into silk craftsmanship began in the 1950s with its first designs featuring motifs inspired by the House’s signature leather goods, reflecting Gucci’s artisanal roots. Throughout the 1960s, Gucci elevated its scarf designs through a collaboration with illustrator Vittorio Accornero de Testa. Between 1960 and 1981, Accornero designed nearly 80 exquisite scarves. As scarves grew central to Gucci’s identity, by 1969, silk extended beyond accessories to clothing, with scarf prints adorning shirts and dresses, with silk patterns frequently mirrored in Gucci’s ready-to-wear collections.
“In the scarves, each character comes to life, from the central lily of Flora to the animals of the savannah, metamorphosing into sci-fi monochromatic gels or compelling characters from an adventure comic, interpretations that strengthen the symbols of the House, animate them and launch them towards new perspectives, interpretations and uses for the future.”
