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The Gucci business was founded in 1921 by Guccio Gucci. He was from Florence. He had
worked in hotels in London and in Paris and during his work there was impressed by the
beautiful luggage that he saw travelers traveling with. He went back to Italy determined to
start his own leather business and make beautiful luggage calling upon the rich leather making
tradition of his native Tuscany.
The company made riding gear and luggage and equestrian inspired leather accessories. He
built a strong following among very upper class clientele and had several stores in
Italy by the 1930s. He brought his sons into the business and they were really instrumental
in expanding the business. By the 1950s they had stores in several places in Italy and
also in New York.
The Gucci brand was rapidly acquiring a reputation for being a real status symbol. During the
1950s Italian fashion and accessories were seen as prestige items and by the 1960s Gucci
loafers in particular were really seen as status symbols with their very distinctive
green and red bands and the horse bit detailing on them that of course makes a reference to
their early years of Gucci. So, that's a little bit about the early history of Gucci and about
how the brand has become so successful and prestigious in fashion.