by Adria Mirabelli
Gucci Continuum is a recently debuted project which commissioned independent designers and artists to reinterpret archival Gucci materials into new crafted capsule collections.
Gucci has recently launched an innovative project that makes upcycling feel incredibly current and lust-worthy. Gucci Continuum is a new initiative by the brand that gives designers and artists the opportunity to upcycle overstock materials, hardware and past season items from the Gucci archives into new, unique pieces.
These capsule collections by featured designers are released directly through Gucci Vault. The collections vary in theme and merchandising but are all uniquely beautiful. The offerings currently take us from buttery corsets made from vintage Gucci Flora silk (Alice Pons) to artfully patchworked dresses (Rave Review), to sculpted co-ords crafted from vintage Gucci belts (Hodakova).
A Vans collaboration capsule collection of five styles feature classic Vans skater style sneakers and easy slip-ons made from Gucci textiles. Designers and brands also included in the collaboration are Collina Strada, Call of the Void, DRx Romanelli, and EGONLAB. The project allows designers to reinterpret the Gucci materials in their own distinct style, making this project a very exciting one to watch.
Gucci Continuum is coming to us after Gucci’s much loved creative director of seven years, Alessandro Michele, left the brand late last year. The aesthetic of Gucci is in flux as we await the first collection of newly appointed creative director Sabato De Sarno, who makes his debut in September. The vision of Alessandro Michele at Gucci was strong, highly conceptualized and mega-adored. There has been a lot of anticipation to see where Gucci moves as a brand and what the aesthetic vision will be from the new creative director.
We are in a unique moment whereby we are only left to imagine what might come next in Gucci’s near future. For that reason Gucci Continuum feels very thoughtful, self-aware and relevant from a brand perspective. It is positive to make the statement that luxury and sustainability can co-exist in harmony, putting forth the message that there is value (and potentially limitless innovation) through upcycling.
It is also super exciting and inspiring to see how these designers and artists creatively transform archival materials into fresh and interesting fashion. It gives the impression that Gucci is opening up its doors to new ideas and fresh perspectives, while reminding us that after this reflection period has ended a new creative vision will follow.
The most recent FW23 collection (which bridges Michele’s final Gucci show and De Sarno’s first) similarly explored this idea of reflection and reworking. This feels like a moment in Gucci’s history to reflect on the past while contemplating the future. The Gucci Continuum capsule collections are currently live on the brand’s website.