Following in the footsteps of a handful of other high-end brands, including Burberry and Tom Ford, Gucci is looking to embrace a more androgynous or genderfluid approach to fashion. Unisex fashion is on the rise, as is fashion that makes the wearer and viewer reconsider what we habitually label as either ‘masculine’ or ‘feminine.’
As Marco Bizzarri, chief executive officer of the brand, has noted, having separate shows for men and women is largely a result of now outdated and oftentimes inconvenient traditions. “Moving to one show each season will significantly help to simplify many aspects of our business,” says Mr. Bizzarri. “Maintaining two separate, disconnected calendars has been a result of tradition rather than practicality.”
Alessandro Michele, who became creative director of Gucci last year, fully supports the brand’s new, androgynous direction. “It seems only natural to me to present my men’s and women’s collections together,” he says. “It’s the way I see the world today. It will not necessarily be an easy path and will certainly present some challenges, but I believe it will give me the chance to move towards a different kind of approach to my story telling.”
Gucci’s first combined show will take place next year at the brand’s headquarters in Milan.
[Source: GQ]