GUCCI CELEBRATES 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF ICONIC HORSEBIT LOAFER WITH OPENING OF GUCCI MUSEO EXHIBIT AND GLOBAL CAMPAIGN
Sixtieth anniversary celebrations for Gucci’s legendary horsebit loafer will commence this week with the opening of a dedicated exhibit at the Gucci Museo in Florence and the unveiling of a global campaign transforming the House’s store windows and Facebook page into a cascade of fancy footwork. It was 1953 when the horsebit loafer made its debut as Guccio Gucci’s son, Aldo Gucci, expanded his family’s business with the incorporation of footwear – sealing the fate of this style as the most iconic Gucci shoe ever made. “The horsebit loafer has lived many lives since its creation 60 years ago, earning itself an important place as a wardrobe staple for both men and women alike. The double-ring and bar motif taken from equestrian hardware remains an icon linking Gucci’s unique history with its modern day attitude,” said Creative Director Frida Giannini.
Horsebit Loafer
Opening tomorrow at the Gucci Museo in the House’s birthplace, Florence,
a dedicated exhibit narrates the legacy of the horsebit loafer – from
its origins on the feet of legendary leading men in the Fifties and
Sixties through to its induction as part of the permanent collection at
the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1985 up to modern day. An array of
archival loafers provide an account of the shoe’s evolution over the
years – including styles from all of the past six decades. Black and
white archival shots of Hollywood royalty photographed wearing the
loafer provide a background for the shoes on display. The designs see
the application of Gucci’s bit hardware to a variety of materials – from
calfskin to suede, patent leather, python, ostrich, crocodile, satin,
and canvas – and the pairing with other House signatures such as the web
stripe, bamboo, and interlocking GG. A variety of proportions,
including the heels that took the women’s loafer to new heights as well
as a unique hybrid between the loafer and the ankle boot, reveal styles
never previously open to public viewing.
The exhibit comprises the versions made famous by Madonna at the MTV
Video Music Awards, by Brad Pitt in the 1999 film “Fight Club,” and by
Jodie Foster during her adolescence in the Seventies.
The anniversary will leave its mark not only in Florence but across the world with the House’s flagship store windows showcasing a lively cascade of loafers from Giannini’s boldly colorful 1953 Collection for men and women. The same bright aesthetic of Gucci’s storefront comes to life in a digital campaign with a dedicated tab on the House’s Facebook page and a vibrant video that will appear across Gucci’s social networks. Inspired by the fancy footwork of Hollywood legends, the video is an invitation to kick up your heels and celebrate six decades of all the right moves.
The anniversary will leave its mark not only in Florence but across the world with the House’s flagship store windows showcasing a lively cascade of loafers from Giannini’s boldly colorful 1953 Collection for men and women. The same bright aesthetic of Gucci’s storefront comes to life in a digital campaign with a dedicated tab on the House’s Facebook page and a vibrant video that will appear across Gucci’s social networks. Inspired by the fancy footwork of Hollywood legends, the video is an invitation to kick up your heels and celebrate six decades of all the right moves.
A
Facebook quiz follows the video – allowing users to discover what style
loafer fits them best: rebel,
romantic, jet-set, prep, rugged or trendsetter. A special collaboration
with the world’s leading bloggers provides a look at how today’s style
authorities interpret the horsebit loafer.
