On the West End of London sits a six-story Tudor building that houses one of the most alluring luxury department stores in the world, Liberty. Many know the store for its close connection to art and culture, but in the fashion realm Liberty London is most famous for its bold and floral print fabrics. Gucci’s Autumn Winter 2020 fashion show in Milan debuted a few special projects from the House, the most notable being that with Liberty.
Alessandro Michele is known for his personal eclectic style that translates into his vision for the brand, one that pulls from influences both of the past and present. In this collaboration, Michele partnered with Liberty to dig into its archives and found designs and patterns that were little-used at the time they were created. For Michele, who is consciously thoughtful in the meaning behind his work, selecting these prints helped share memories from the past and reemerge them in the present.
[image_carousel source=”media: 241599,241471,241467,241465,241474,241470,241469,241468,241466,241473,241472,” limit=”5″ slides_style=”minimal” crop=”none” columns=”3″ align=”center” captions=”yes” dots=”no” link=”custom” autoplay=”0″ image_size=”full” outline=”no”]The collaboration spans a wide assortment of pieces, from bags to clothing to shoes and accessories, and most of the prints are floral themed which holds a strong association with the Liberty brand. The pairing of feminine and delicate floral prints with inherent retro touches matches the aesthetic Alessandro Michele established for his vision of Gucci. And though the prints are light and whimsical, the Gucci Liberty script used on some items ties back to the this Gucci collection’s other major theme: grunge.
Gucci 1955 Horsebit Liberty London Bag
$2650
Of bags that this print suits well, Gucci could not have picked a better match than the beloved Gucci 1955 Horsebit. The retro floral print suits this handbag so seamlessly, one could think it was one of the original designs intended. This 1955 Horsebit was introduced for Cruise 2020 and recreated from an archival design, focusing on the House’s horsebit detailing as a focal point while also creating the ideal sized shoulder bag with ample organization and seamlessly sleek curves on the exterior. The light pink and light blue floral motif sits atop ivory leather and is accented by the iconic Horsebit detailing in gold-toned hardware.
On the inside you’ll find cotton linen lining and three gussets with one zipper pocket and one open pocket. The interior allows for easy organization and the gussets provide a captivating exterior shape from the side. The shoulder strap on this bag can be adjusted from a 9.8″ to a 17.7″ drop and it features the same floral print. This is a bag that fits more than you’d imagine, making it an ideal daily carry and a bag that will be picked up in your closet time and time again. Overall dimensions are 9.8″W x 7″H x 3.1″D.
The Gucci 1955 Horsebit Liberty London Bag offers a whimsical fashion piece that works for everything for your Autumn wardrobe to Winter and Spring/Summer. A pair of jeans and a casual top would allow this bag to shine and of course it’s easy to dress up. If you are still sticking to the athleisure look, cream sweats and a cool pair of trainers would be completed and elevated with this design. This bag is an online exclusive to Gucci.com.
Gucci 1955 Liberty London Small Duffle Bag
$3250
A floral-printed Gucci 1955 Horsebit Duffle Bag is also offered as part of a small selection of luggage. And while this bag is deemed luggage, it can be used for daily carrying if you prefer a larger bag (theres a smaller version as well). What will catch your attention on this bag is the Gucci Liberty Art Nouveau style script in black on the front of the bag. While the floral motif is light and innocent, the dark lettering is a nod to the grunge vibe much of the Autumn Winter 2020 collection showcased and the pairing of two opposites comes together in a delightful way. Much like the 1955 Horsebit bag, the distinctive Duffle bag also features the light pink and light blue floral print by Liberty London over the entire exterior of the bag. The leather luggage tag is a nice touch, plus you could use this tag on other items if you wish.
The interior is highly spacious, with the extended zippers on the outside going from the bottom of one side all the way around to the bottom of the other. When you open the bag, you’ll find a light cotton linen lining, which makes locating items much easier. Along with that is an interior zipper pocket with a phone case, and 1 interior open pocket with two compartments. The double top handles are one way you can carry this bag or there’s a detachable and adjustable shoulder strap with a 20.5″ drop. While our days of office commutes may still be on pause, many are starting to travel on short trips again and a bag like this allows for ample space for your staycation needs and beyond. Overall dimensions are 15.5″W x 13.4″H x 5.7″D.
There are more items as part of this large collaboration, each as whimsical and inviting as the next. A wide variety of hats are offered, each as casually cool as the next, and the shoes allow for dressing up or down with your footwear choice being the focal point of your outfit. This collection highlights the strengths Alessandro Michele brings to the brand – the ability to create something entirely modern while pulling from some of the strongest memories and elements we crave from the past.
