This was by FAR one of the most fun "photo shoots" I've ever done. So ... .you may remember my post ( rant) that was kind of a confession ( complaint) about the issues involved in blogging and some discussions I had with my man (*cough* criticism *cough*). Well....something just clicked.
We had a talk about how I need him and he needs me and how when we communicate we have more fun, and all of a sudden we really ARE having way more fun! Part of that is that I don't have to smile in my pictures if I don't want to, and I'm allowed to pretend to be any character that I want and my man loves that fact that we're going to be selling a lot of the accessories I'm wearing and all of a sudden he became a great photographer!
These pictures were taken at our factory and offices in Modena. I actually wore this to meet with a supplier and next week I will look at "Shopping the 70s / Geek Trend" for all price ranges and "How to wear a Gucci SS2016 Inspired Look in Real Life".
Let's be honest the 70s were great and all, and you may LOVE this look, but for everyday wear it is a little, well.... out there! With a few modifications I'll share how I took this outfit from photo shoot to office wear.
Alessandro Michele - The New Face of Gucci
By now you may have heard of Fashion's newest player, Alessandro Michele, the relatively unknown "new kid on the block" who replaced Frida Giannini at Gucci in January. He was working as the head of accessories for Gucci and yet said he wasn't even on the list as the luxury brand's new Creative Director. Well...finally Gucci has done something right! Not to mention he looks a bit like Devendra Banhart (swoon).
His first Men's collection (designed in 5 days!!!) was a total breakthrough, think Royal Tanenbaums meet Italian 1970s tennis players at the Cafe for breakfast! But the real reaction came when I saw the Gucci Women's Spring Summer 2016 Collection, I simply "Yes, Finally."
How friggin' cool was Italy in the 1960s and 70s, the era just gives me this warm fuzzy feeling, much like looking at a naturally aged real photograph. In September, I read a fantastic article online in Vogue by Sarah Mower, about Alessandro Michele and his inspirations and motivations for the collection that is UNDENIABLY different than anything else "fashion" is doing and that has obviously rocked my world.
Here's a quote for your reading pleasure:
I'm not nostalgic! I'd like to shake it up again....Fashion is close to tenderness"
Not nostalgic? Ummm...are you sure? It seems you're pretty nostaglic to me! Well whatever the interpretation, I love this. Like LOVE. Finally there is another Italian designer (aside from Dolce and Gabbana who will always have my heart and Miuccia Prada who I have a serious girl crush on) making things worthy of collection, things worthy of love and things worthy enough to wear....like, forever.
I honestly do not think that the Gucci Geek / Retro / Vintage trend is a trend at all. I picture this being much more of a long term brand character and style strategy + identity, much in the same way that Dolce and Gabbana continually look to, interpret and borrow from their Sicilian roots (which I've written before about here) .
I wouldn't fear too much that this "phase" is going to be gone with September, and instead I would start scouring every Italian vintage market for beautiful pieces and quickly!! Before the Gucci style researchers get to it first! If you love vintage, antique or thrift shopping I've written before here about how to find an Antiques Market in Italy!
What I Wore
I'm wearing a Zara 3/4 sleeve turtle neck bought a few years ago, a Promod corduroy skirt bought on sale for 8 euros ( this style was around last season and will stay through to next Fall and then it may disappear!). My glasses are Golden Line Made in Italy and are no longer available, at YOOX you can find similar pairs such as PERSOL - PLUS today (until January 18th) there is an extra 10% off items (even those marked down by 70%) click here to shop the sale .
Both my belt and bracelet were made by my husband and the bracelet will be available as part of the new brand in a wide range of colors! It is a soft full grain leather with a leather covered trench buckle, fully leather lined and will be around 50 euros in XS, S, M and L!
What do you think? I would really appreciate any feedback on the bracelet. In the photos I am wearing an M and I am an XS so you can imagine that the tip will be shorter!
My bag is real Caiman Crocodilian leather bought from the super cute Vintage Boutique in Siena called Aloe & Wolf when I was there last summer. I had it modified slightly and am using it as the basis for a bag collection for 2017. I just love it! Vintage shopping in Italy is like NOTHING I have ever seen in North America, it is a fine art and you can find some incredible deals (remember my Vintage Tiffany necklace and bracelet?).
I *just* bought these new GIANNI MARRA real hammered leather boots online here. They are currently over 50% OFF at $194 (marked down from $451) the sale ends January 18th and you can click here to shop my exact pair. They are still available in black, dark green and grey/taupe and are over the knee but can also fold down to a cuff at the top.
Incredibly well made with a leather sole, exceptional quality zipper and leather and are 100% hand crafted in Italy, plus considering they are heels it is like walking on a cloud!
Thank you again to all of the subscribers to the Magazine!! I emailed out the subscriber-only access link yesterday! Please note that the Magazine is currently not available for mobile viewing...but I'm working on it and will email you all the update shortly 
If you didn't sign up for the magazine in time, just shoot me an email and I'll add you to the list and send you a copy right away! My email is [email protected] !
This will be a bi-monthly magazine, it was supposed to be monthly but it turned out the be almost 50 pages long and quite a bit of work to put together!
Thank you again for your support, please feel free to pin any of the images from this post, pinning anything from my blog is a GREAT way to support me and I really appreciate it!
