Frida Giannini's earlier-than-expected exit from Gucci last month has people wondering who will be the new creative director of the Italian fashion empire.
Lasting for almost a decade, the Giannini era has ended with the spring/summer 2015 ready-to-wear collections — her finale was retro womenswear and nautical seascape-inspired menswear.
For the previous season, Gucci's time machine went back to the mod 60s and its A-line silhouettes. On the way back to the future, why not make a stop in the 70s for more retro silhouettes?
Deluxe patchwork and crisp geometric lines characterise the women's collection, which had the designer reinventing the use of suede, denim, leather, embroidery and decorative detailing.
A surprising springtime element, fur may still be fitting for an extended cold season while giving a chic 3D effect upon the distinctive juxtaposition of prints, materials, detailing and embroideries.
Vests and short jackets feature overlapping pythons, goats, Mongolian lambs, fox, suede and studding.
Denim pieces include military jackets; wide-leg pants with calf-length cuffs (also in white cotton and suede) and a lace-up dress featuring a plunging neckline with a maxi lace-up closure.
This neckline also seals embroidered dresses and tops that recall the eyelets of broderie anglaise.
Boxy masculine jackets with braiding or trench-style jackets follow the lines of the body while the suede trench and skirt also accentuate the waistline. The hemline has also gone up as dresses are either mini or just below the knee and form fitting with a slit.
For evening wear, Oriental-inspired cocktail dresses come in subtle prints, embellished by couture-style micro-embroideries.
Monochromatic or paired with prints, the colour scheme ranges from pearly white and orange to green and Bordeaux for a collection that gives the Gucci woman the pleasure of coordinating her favourite pieces.
The Gucci man can also mix-and-match from a collection that caters to his two sides, whether his rock'n'roll and bohemian spirit or his love for jet-setting and aristocratic sports.
Inspired by the nautical seascape, the menswear designs combine a navy silhouette with pirate stripes. Navy and white striping recurs throughout the collection to emphasise graphic lines.
Besides navy blue, the palette features blue-black, khaki, white, red, and a glimpse of emerald green. Ankle-length trousers are paired with jackets boasting contrasting details on the sleeves and on the trim as a key look for spring 2015. Other pieces to mix-and-match include ribbed knitwear, tricoloured jumpsuits, oversized striped pyjamas, stonewashed jeans with paint splashes and dockside trousers with gold buttons.
The buttons also appear on the pea jacket and Mackintosh in neoprene, washed leather and two-toned canvas. Thermosealing technique on laser-cut materials result in lighter-than-ever suiting, which demonstrates Gucci's use of innovative techniques and materials for comfort to complement the modish outerwear.
For evening, there are decadent insignias on the sleeves and a new emblem on pockets. The white or black jackets with grosgrain trim can be worn over a waistcoat without a shirt for an utterly modern take on formal wear.
