This Gucci bag speaks for itself. The leather says things words can't describe and the clasp holds a piece of history so great, that it might as well be put in a museum on display. You see, this isn't any Gucci bag, it's a bag designed by one of my favorites in fashion history, Tom Ford. The gold box closure being the stamp of recognition by anyone that knows anything that this indeed, is so blatantly obvious a TF for Gucci.
Its buttery soft leather exterior with the most perfect gold clasp which you can leave open or fasten close can store everything but the kitchen sink. At first, this bag might strike you as a tote for work, but I have bigger plans for this timeless, classic, and oh so well made piece. Try taking it to dinner with a pant suit, or to a movie with baggy jeans and an oversized sweater (pro tip: you can sneak so much candy in with it). I see this being worn strolling in the city on a rainy day, with your newspaper sticking out and an umbrella in hand.
Lets talk about the man who designed it and why he holds such significance in the fashion, but furthermore, vintage community.
Tom Ford at Gucci was not just arguably, but undeniably the most iconic time period in Gucci's history. We look at Gucci today as THE luxury brand of our generation. Did you ever wonder how this came to be? It wasn't from those fugly Ace leather sneakers you see all the kids wearing knock offs of today (or last year, it was more of a last year thing) (I think they would now be deemed chewgy) ( I still don't know how to spell chewgy). Rather, it all started when Tom ford was awarded king of the Gucci Castle.
So heres the story:
Tom Ford joined Gucci in 1994, at a very weak moment for the fashion house, they had just lost their chief designer Dawn Mello, who left them to join Bergdorf Goodman. The place was in shambles, I mean, Guccis publicists were begging anyone of significance to show face at Ford's debut 1994 womenswear fashion show. By 1995 everything changed, anyone who was anyone was begging to get the invite.
So, what happened? What changed? I mean, this wasn't just a nose job, Mr. Ford gave Gucci a complete face lift. But how did he do it so quickly? What suddenly made this somewhat forgotten brand tick?
I have 2 words for you: SEX SELLS.
Tom came in hot, displaying sexy silhouettes, cutouts in all the right places, and sky high stilettos to add that extra umph... His runway shows were just the beginning, provocative campaigns featuring pubic hair shaved in the Gucci logo, had the world talking. In 1997 Tom sent his model down the runway in an off the shoulder top and wait for it.... a G string featuring the Gucci logo. To me, this was Mr. Fords defining moment at the house of Gucci. The cult for Tom began to form and hasn't quit.
I think what makes Tom Ford tick is his reinvention of the trashy, I'm not gonna sit here telling you that he made trashy classy, Because, I don't think thats the case. What i do think is he made trashy desirable, He made the every day working man and women give into their need to feel sexy. This was all disguised by Tom's less bold color pallet, making anyone wearing his pieces feel somewhat safe, or, that they were still playing it "safe". I think this was the geniusness behind Tom. He dared to be different all while somehow being able to appeal to the masses.
What I love most about this heartwarming tale of how Gucci rose from the ashes is that Ford gets ALL of the credit. I mean, the proof is in the pudding. Fords designs are 2 fold, while having that timeless feel, Tom's work for Gucci was so unique in an understated way that it feels each garment designed by him was stamped with his initials (it wasn't). I never find myself questioning, "is this a TF for Gucci?" it's an obvious to me. I think thats really where the crux of the credit should be given. Tom was able to redefine the brand on his own terms, thus making an impact on anyone shopping Gucci second hand. You're never left questioning which era an item was from when designed by Tom Ford.