F/W 1998 Gucci by Tom Ford Ad Campaign Black Crocodile Bamboo Tote Bag
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:In very good vintage condition with light wear throughout. Minor scratches to hardware.
- Seller Location:West Hollywood, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2388220756442
Tom Ford for Gucci
No one understands sex appeal quite like Tom Ford, who joined Gucci as a womens-wear designer in 1990.
At the time, the internationally renowned Italian label was better known for leather goods than luxury fashion. It was also nearly bankrupt. After creative director Dawn Mello left in 1994, following a Bahrain-based investment group becoming Gucci’s majority shareholder, Ford was named creative director. The American designer soon infused the brand with a fresh sensuality and bold style.
Ford's potent vision of sexed-up femininity spanned everything from shirts to shoes to handbags and other accessories at Gucci — he reimagined the house's iconic double-ring-and-bar Horsebit hardware, a reference to the brand’s equestrian history, as a seductive low-slung belt, worn by Madonna when accepting an MTV video music award in 1995. For his fall show during that year, in which Kate Moss walked down the runway in an unbuttoned satin shirt, velvet hip-huggers and tousled hair, heralded an exciting, glammed-up era for the once fusty brand. Vogue critic Sarah Mower called it “one of those hitting-in-the-solar-plexus moments.”
As Ford shot to fame, he continued to explore plunging necklines, such as in the black and white looks of the Fall 1996 collection, and sumptuous fabrics like leather and tweed, with the Fall 2000 ready-to-wear collection ranging from sultry silk evening dresses to plush belted coats.
Ford also cranked up the seduction in the provocative ads for Gucci, particularly with regard to campaigns for Yves Saint Laurent, which the fashion house acquired in 1999 (Ford was also named creative director for YSL and designed the brand’s ready-to-wear collection). Gucci's Fall/Winter 1997 campaign featured Carolyn Murphy grasping Angela Lindvall in what looked like a video still; in another shot, a face pressed against a foot in a lipstick-red heel. Each promoted a vision of modern fashion where women were sexually confident, the materials were luxurious and the styles were fearless.
In 2004, Ford and Gucci president Domenico De Sole left the company after failing to agree on the renewal of their contracts. In 2006, with De Sole as chairman, Ford launched his wildly successful eponymous menswear label. Today Ford is also an author, film director and chairman of the Council of Fashion Designers of America.
Find vintage Tom Ford Gucci day dresses, jackets and shoulder bags on 1stDibs.
Gucci
Long before trend-bucking creative director Alessandro Michele brought his hallucinatory “Utopian Fantasy” campaign to Gucci, it was a modest Italian leather shop. Today, it’s an internationally renowned luxury house with an iconic logo, and vintage Gucci clothing, handbags and shoes are among high fashion's most covetable goods.
Guccio Gucci (1881–1953) admired the stylish suitcases he saw wealthy guests arrive with at the Savoy Hotel in London, where he worked as a bellhop. So, in 1921, after a stint at Franzi, a luggage company in his hometown of Florence, he opened a leather goods shop of his own.
At first, Gucci’s Florence business specialized in equestrian accessories. But as its reputation flourished, particularly among the English aristocracy, so too did its footprint. In 1938, he brought three of his sons — Aldo, Vasco and Rodolfo — into the business and expanded it to Rome and later Milan. In the mid-1930s, a League of Nations embargo against Italy pushed Gucci to experiment with alternatives to imported leather. Its woven hemp fabric from Naples, adorned with the brand’s signature diamond print, was a hit, especially among A-list celebrities. The material was first used on suitcases before finding enduring popularity on handbags. (No list of revered designer purses would be complete without Gucci.)
In the 1950s, Elizabeth Taylor carried one of Gucci’s bamboo-handled tote bags, another adaptation to material rationing. After Jackie Kennedy was seen sporting a slouchy Gucci tote in 1961, it was renamed for the First Lady. Then Grace Kelly, on a visit to the boutique in Milan, inspired Rodolfo Gucci to work with Italian illustrator and Gucci textile designer Vittorio Accornero on the Flora print in 1966. Taking cues from Sandro Botticelli’s Primavera, with its pattern of flora and insects, it was painted entirely by hand and featured no fewer than 37 colors.
In 1953, just 15 days after opening his first store on New York’s 5th Avenue, Guccio passed away at 72. The early 1970s saw store openings in Tokyo and Hong Kong, but by the late 1980s, Gucci was floundering. Rodolfo Gucci took charge in 1982, but family drama and lawsuits ensued. In 1993, Rodolfo’s son, Maurizio, transferred his shares in the company to Investcorp, ending the family’s involvement in Gucci. Dawn Mello, then-president of Bergdorf Goodman, joined as creative director in 1989. But it was Tom Ford, who took over as creative director in 1994, who ultimately revived the brand.
Ford’s racy ads, shot by photographers such as Mario Testino, stirred controversy. And his potent vision of sexed-up femininity — with “jewel-toned satin shirts unbuttoned to there,” as Vogue described his breakthrough 1995 runway show — was wildly successful. The new millennium brought new ownership — Pinault Printemps Redoute in 2004 — and a more toned-down vision from Frida Giannini, who became sole creative director in 2006. Alessandro Michele was named creative director in 2015, and the storied brand took a giant leap forward.
Find vintage Gucci clothing and accessories on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: West Hollywood, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- S/S 1993 Gianni Versace Red Miami Beach Florida Print Medusa Tote BagBy Gianni VersaceLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a fabulous red Miami print canvas tote by Gianni Versace, designed by Gianni Versace for the Spring/Summer 1993 collection. This tote showcases the brand’s iconic Miami mo...Category
1990s Italian Tote Bags
- 1990s Valentino Garavani 'Les Sacs' Black Velvet Beaded 'V' Logo Mini BagBy Valentino Garavani, ValentinoLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a black velvet and beaded Valentino evening bag. From the 1990s, this beautiful mini evening bag is constructed entirely of black velv...Category
1990s Italian Evening Bags and Minaudières
- S/S 1993 Gianni Versace Couture Stripped Medusa Medallion Canvas Tote RunwayBy Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting an iconic runway Gianni Versace Couture tote, designed by Gianni Versace. From the Spring/Summer 1993 collection, the bag's bold stripe print was used on the runway in mul...Category
1990s Italian Bucket Bags and Drawstring Bags
- 1990s Gianni Versace Couture Large Gold Medusa Medallion Chain Leather BagBy Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a classically Gianni Versace Couture purse, designed by Gianni Versace. Created in the early/mid 1990s, this bag constructed entirely of black leather and features a border of small Medusa logo medallions with a large gold colored Greek key chain...Category
1990s Italian Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
- F/W 2003 Dolce & Gabbana Crocodile Techno Romantic Large Beige Shoulder BagBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a gorgeous beige crocodile skin Dolce and Gabbana bag. From the Fall/Winter 2003 collection, dubbed the "Techno Romantic" collection, ...Category
Early 2000s Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
- S/S 1992 Gianni Versace Leopard Print Shoulder Bag Gold Medusa MedallionBy Gianni Versace Couture, Gianni VersaceLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a leopard print Medusa medallion accented shoulder bag designed by Gianni Versace. This print debut on the Spring/Summer 1992 runway and features a gold-toned metal zipper...Category
1990s Italian Tote Bags
- HERMES Gold camel Epsom leather BIRKIN 35 Bag GhwBy HermèsLocated in Zürich, CH100% authentic Hermès Birkin 35 bag in Gold (camel brown) Veau Epsom leather. Lined in Chevre (goat skin) with an open pocket against the front and a zipper pocket against the back. ...Category
Early 2000s French Tote Bags
- Chanel Vintage Caviar Black Leather Grand Shopping Tote LargeBy ChanelLocated in Montreal, QuebecChanel large shopping tote bag. Caviar black leather. Leather and chain shoulder strap. Snap closure. Front and back full length pockets. La...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Tote Bags
- Hermes Paris Beige Red Canvas Bora Bora GM Tote Beach BagBy HermèsLocated in Rome, RomeHermes Paris beige cotton canvas 'Bora Bora GM' tote bag. Red canvas trim and handles. Made in France. 100% Cotton. It has snaps (buttons) on both ends for expansion. Durable canvas ...Category
Early 2000s French Tote Bags
- Prada Lilac Mesh Nylon and Sequin Small Lily ToteBy PradaLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2Know to create stylish, sophisticated, and timeless designs, this is a brand worth investing in. The bags that come from this label's atelier are exquisite. This tote bag is no diffe...Category
2010s Italian Tote Bags
- Chanel XL Blue x Red Wave Surf Beach Tote Bag 89ck39sBy ChanelLocated in Dix hills, NYChanel XL Blue x Red Wave Surf Beach Tote Bag 89ck39s Date Code/Serial Number: 7226651 Made In: France Measurements: Length: 25" Width: 9.5" Height: 14" Shoulder Handle Drop: 8" ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Tote Bags
- Chanel Rare 2011 Graffiti Watercolor Pavements Jumbo Tote Nylon Resort BagBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel Rare 2011 Graffiti Watercolor Pavements Jumbo Tote Nylon Resort Bag Year: 2011 Silver hardware Removable brown double leather strap Double interwove...Category
2010s Italian Tote Bags