A Roman Holiday ... Gucci Pre-Fall 2019 Collection

When it comes to cooking up something cool and bestselling in the span of minutes, you can leave it to Gucci’s High Priest of Cool, Alessandro Michele. Since the debut of his first collection for the Italian fashion house, praises have been sung by editors and fashion critics alike.

Juxtaposing preppy and camp whilst blurring the fine lines between genders, Michele’s unthinkable approach of fashion has turned the house around. What was once a favourite go-to brand among the conservative, old moneyed and the super sophisticated, these days, seeing well-heeled millennials making beelines into Gucci stores around the world is not just surreal – rather, it is an awe-inspiring moment. 

Moreover, thanks to Michele’s amazing effort, it would not be too much to say that Michele has single-handedly elevate Gucci’s status from a prominent century-old house of Italian style and elegance to a temple of millennial coolness.

As a storied brand built on a strong craftsmanship heritage, Gucci has been committed in supporting heritage sites in Italy as well as around the world. This can be seen through Michele’s unconventional choices of venue for Gucci’s collection presentation such as the ancient grounds of Promenade de Alyscamp in Arles, France. 

For the pre-fall 2019 collection, Michele had the lookbook and campaign images shot at two historical venues that are significant to the history of Roman civilization: The Herculaneum and Pompeii.

Shot by photographer Harmony Korine and art directed by Christopher Simmonds, the locales, with its well-preserved mosaics and paintings depicting life during the ancient Roman days and the glory of Roman deities provided an arresting background to the contemporary collection. 

Again, Michele drew his inspiration from the past in the forms of streamlined silhouettes. Palazzo trousers, oversized overcoats, and psychedelic prints made the bulk of the serving. 

For men, Michele resresurrected the beauty of 1980s romanticism, a look that was once popularised by British rock group Duran Duran and pile patterns on top of one another. Case in point: printed boucle jacket worn atop knitted G sweater and a pair of tartan trousers.  

Just like in his previous collection, yet perhaps the factor that led to Gucci’s surging popularity among the new generation, Michele celebrates the idea of youth pop culture and the inevitable influence of consumerism through the application of trademarked icons. 

In this pre-fall collection, Michele featured Mr Peanut, the iconic mascot and advertising logo of America’s renowned snack brand Planters. He also incorporated the masthead of The Face, a now defunct quintessentially British publication that is dedicated to fashion and culture onto a men’s t-shirt.  

Accessory-wise, Elton John’s legendary style at the early stage of his career must have been a source of inspiration – obviously seen in the form of oversized sunglasses. 

Pulled up socks with intricate embroidery, embroidered fabric shoes, animal-shaped badges forming a cool fashion menagerie and touristy sling bag with “Be Cool” message emblazoned across the flap completes the campy chic look.

Gucci Pre-Fall 2019 collection will be available at all Gucci stores and selected multi-label retailers worldwide from as early as the second quarter of the year.    

*Photos courtesy of Gucci

Gucci – Lot 2.21.00 & 3.23.00, Level 2 & 3, Couture Pavilion, Pavilion KL, 168 Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur; G37, Ground Floor, Suria KLCC, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, 50088 Kuala Lumpur; Lot 228 & 229, Ground Floor, The Gardens Mall, Lingkaran Syed Putra, 59000 Kuala Lumpur.