PRESS RELEASE: Gucci Pre Fall Collection by Creative Director Frida Giannini

For Prefall 2013, the Gucci man takes to the wheel of his cabriolet and drives into a surreal landscape of contemporary minimalism. Creative Director Frida Giannini envisions a chromatic, static atmosphere and a wardrobe that reconciles Ivy League elitism with an underground, rebellious spirit. An eccentric hint inspired by Erwin Olaf’s photography. A sublimely understated style for the last weekends of summer and the first days of autumn.

SILHOUETTE

An aesthetic evoking the Fifties through suits with two-button jackets and tapered, cuffed pants. The new knit polo to wear as a shirt. Unlined blazers and riding pants. Equestrian shirts with stitching recalling a saddle. An outerwear fetish with multi-pocket bombers in printed nylon, biker jackets in nappa with knit sleeves, riding coats with a velvet collar, tartan peacoats, the raincoat. Driving gloves and the

collection’s leitmotif, the cache-col with micro polka dots. A palette of water colors includes sky blue, sage, ice, and light khaki – with a sun-faded effect. Hues intensify with bordeaux and bottle green before a climactic Hitchcock black-out.

MATERIALS

A wise duality characterizes this season’s use of materials: the soft nappa jacket with knit sleeves, bombers in techno fabrics with leather sleeves, and the resinated cotton trench with detachable shearling lining. British tweed jackets with lining from silk foulards echoing the House’s motifs. Wool flannel for cardigan jackets and suits. Mélange cashmere knitwear. Alpaca wool, angora, and corduroy. Washed, brushed cotton and water repellent textiles. Dandy maxi checks alluding to Balmoral.

EVENING

Jacquard workings on the new military green evening jacket featuring the House’s Diamante pattern. The black satin lapel houndstooth jacket. Worn with the skinny pant in organic wool faille. A black silk bow tie and details including studs in sterling silver and enamel as well as quartz buttons.

ACCESSORIES

All the essentials for high-speed style. Leather duffles, totes, backpacks and briefcases – each with the interlocking GG emblem. The new monk strap shoe becomes the protagonist for both day and evening. Slick lace-ups and sleek ankle boots. Tortoise shell sunglasses reminiscent of the Fifties. The Gucci Coupé chrono sport timepiece featuring a striking blue dial. Tactile details in the way of printed silk scarves. To effortlessly shift gears and hit the road.

GUCCI is available exclusively at GUCCI Boutiques in Cape Town and Johannesburg in Southern Africa. For further information please contact their stores on 021-421 8800 (V&A Waterfront, Cape Town) or 011-784 2597 (Nelson Mandela Square, Johannesburg) or visit www.gucci.com