Left: Gucci HA HA HA Collection in 2022 Right: Michele’s First Collection for Valentino’s Resort 2025
Alessandro Michele made his debut at Valentino during the Milan Fashion Week showing his plans and ideas for the Roman brand as their head designer. It’s still early to say what he has in mind for Valentino from now on and even though the first collection might look a little - maybe not that little - like Gucci during Michele’s years there, we should all be excited for the next collections to come.
Michele’s History at Gucci
The Italian designer spent 20 years working at Gucci, first designing accessories during the years Tom Ford was the one in charge. However, it didn’t take long for him to move to a senior position at Gucci’s leather department, the brand’s strongest segment. Alessandro knew how everything worked by heart and in 2015 he made his debut as the head designer.
During his years there, he reinvented Gucci in a way people can’t forget. He was experimenting with colors, shapes and patterns, he clearly knew what he was doing and Gucci became Alessandro’s identity, an extension of himself. Everything he created felt natural, he was Gucci and Gucci was him, period.
Alessandro’s Maximalist Accessories at Gucci Runaway
Having a former accessory designer in charge of the brand changed Gucci forever. The number of iconic pieces Alessandro created and reintroduced in only 7 years is impressive, and it was really hard to pick only a few.
Let’s start with the pieces Michele decided to bring back from the brand’s archives, to give you a few examples, the Diana Bag and the Jackie 1961, both bags were shown by him in a more modern design matching their new clientele but also their long-time brand enthusiasts.
Princess Diana’s Favorite Bag
Princess Diana holding the Gucci Diana Tote, bag named after her
For Princess Diana’s 60th birthday, Alessandro decided to bring back her bag, the Diana Bag, a classic and timeless Gucci piece that never goes out of style. In 1991, when the bag was first released, it didn’t have a name and got popular after Lady D started appearing in public wearing it. The 2021 release has a modern touch, detachable bands (originally used to keep the shape of the bamboo handles), 3 different sizes and multiple colors and materials.
Diana Mini Bag available on ZenPlus
Jackie Kennedy’s Shield
Originally introduced in 1961, this piece didn’t have Jackie’s name attached to it - it was called “Constance” at first - but it all changed when Jackie Kennedy started using her Gucci bag as a shield to cover her face against the paparazzi’s flashes. She would wear it on any occasion possible, coming out of her apartment, going on holiday abroad… Her image was so strongly attached to the bag that Jackie became the name of Gucci’s most iconic piece.
Gucci’s “New” Jackie 1961 Bag
Alessandro Michele recreated the latest version of the Jackie bag, with the design being very close to its original model. The piston closure is back to its original shape, coming in 3 sizes to accommodate everyone’s lifestyle. The new Jackie is also gaining the attention of the younger generation, influenced by celebrities - such as Miley Cyrus and Elle Fanning - and influencers getting caught wearing it. A classic is always a classic.
Dionysus
Gucci Spring-Summer 2016 Campaign (Image: Gucci)
The Dionysus bag made its debut in Gucci’s fall collection in 2015 as Michele’s first bag as head designer. The bag became an instant boom and maintained its it-bag status almost 10 years after being released. Dionysus was an ancient Greek god of wine, agriculture and festivities, the Dionysus bag was made to stand out in a greek-chic way. Since its birth, it has gained multiple versions with printed flowers, colorful patches, sparkly embroideries, denim and rhinestones on the prominent snake at the front… Alessandro saw absolutely no limits when decorating and adapting this piece to different collections.
Marmont
The Gucci Marmont became the new Soho bag when it comes to popularity, because nowadays it is the most recognizable piece of Gucci’s modern era, and people from all over the globe fell for it (including me). If Michele was aiming for a new classic, he did it right. The Marmont flap with a claim strap is similar to a Chanel flap bag but let’s make it Gucci. If you’re looking for one, on the second-hand market you can find the complete Marmont line in dozens of shapes, textures, materials, colors, sizes… It suits all needs for sure.
Where to Get The Best Deal for Gucci?
G stamp on a Gucci bag bought at an outlet store
Even though Gucci offers reduced prices at their outlet stores, part of their special editions bags don’t end up in those places, also by the fact some models sell out at their regular flagships around the world. You might get cheaper prices for their outlet pieces but they are going to resell for lower prices as well since those items come with an “extra stamp” inside to mark the item as a non-top-of-line item.
With so many reliable platforms to buy pre-loved luxury goods, buying on those platforms is undeniably cheaper and you have the freedom to choose discontinued and extremely rare models for not even half of the retail price. Apart from a very small selection of bags, most Gucci items will decrease in value over time and making up for that brand new piece price is not an option.
So, why not use your money wisely and purchase a pre-loved one? ZenPlus Luxe offers thousands of items from reliable stores all over Japan from the comfort of your house. Simple as that!
About the Writer
Amanda Ayabe is a fashion graduate based in Osaka, passionate about the luxury industry and hand crafted goods. She worked for 3 years as a live seller and buyer, sharing her knowledge and passion for designer bags to customers in various locations around the globe. Loves specialty coffee, long talks, traveling and photography.
