Q&A: Fashion pieces dusted off
How else is Gucci celebrating its 90th birthday? The company inaugurated a new museum on Monday to commemorate the occasion, and it officially opened to the public yesterday.
Where is the museum? Florence, Italy, where the fashion house started.
What kinds of items are on display? Numerous fashion pieces, obviously, including purses and loafers. Some of its gowns that have graced the red carpet in recent years are also on display.
Turn the clock back to 1921. While most nonagenarians have more important things to worry about than high-end timepieces, Gucci certainly does not. In fact, the luxury brand is rolling out a new collection of watches in the Emirates in celebration of its 90th birthday this year.
The iconic Italian brand, which was founded by Guccio Gucci in Florence, has released four styles for women that cost from Dh5,025 (US$1,368) at Rivoli stores across the UAE. While two styles for men have also been released, both are out of stock.
Known as the Gucci 1921 watch collection, the pieces have been designed by the company's creative director, Frida Giannini. Interestingly, though, none of the watches are made in Gucci's home of Italy. Rather, each piece is assembled in Switzerland then sold through an exclusive network of retailers. And the company notes that while all of its timepieces, including these square-shaped ones, are crafted by hand from workmen and leather artisans, the leather casing and strap are only "partially" stitched by hand.
Still, the watches' internal components are all assembled individually.
Luxury companies have done well, even during these uncertain economic times. Prada, for one, had an initial public offering in Hong Kong in June. The company said last week its first-half profits increased 74 per cent from the same period last year to €180 million (Dh901.3m) due to a rise in sales that topped €1.1 billion.
Gucci generated €2.6bn in revenue last year.
To help boost sales this year, Gucci has launched a limited range of men's and women's clothing and accessories to celebrate the fashion house's 90th anniversary.
Top 5: Most expensive watches
1 Patek Philippe Sky Moon Tourbillon 5002P US$1.5m (Dh5.5m)
2 Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Complication $655,000
3 A Lange & Sohne Tourbograph $580,000
4 Girard Perregaux Opera Three Musical Hours Watch $420,000
5 Jaeger-LeCoultre Gyrotourbillon $404,000
Source: Business Insider
The Quote: You need to reinvent yourself every day when you are doing creative work. - Frida Giannini, creative director of Gucci
