Burberry, Vetements, Tom Ford… now Gucci? Kering had previously come out in support of the fashion schedule, rejecting the see now, buy now model for fashion shows. Francois-Herni Pinault said it ruined the dream of luxury. It’s a strategy that certainly has been working for the brand, with Gucci and Saint Laurent in particular running record breaking growth figures.
But yesterday at The New York Times International Luxury Conference in Versailles, Gucci President and CEO Marco Bizzarri announced that Gucci will unify its menswear and womenswear shows into one catwalk spectacular. Mr. Bizzarri commented that “Maintaining two separate, disconnected calendars has been a result of tradition rather than practicality.”
The first show will take place in 2017 at Gucci’s new Milan HQ at Via Mecenate. It’s a decision that makes total sense for Creative Director Alessandro Michele, whose aesthetic sensibility already blurs the lines between masculinity and femininity.
The decision will shine a further spotlight on the menswear fashion season, as more and more brands unify and streamline their catwalk shows, there will be many holes to fill at this season’s shows in June. No decision has been made on Kering’s other brands yet, including Alexander Mcqueen and Bottega Veneta. Watch this space.
Credits
Text Felix Petty
Photography Jason Lloyd Evans