House of Gucci (2021) trailer.
The real-life Gucci saga is so outrageous that to this day commentators lean on fiction—Greek tragedies, Dynasty, Dallas, even the Borgias—in their attempts to explain the drama. Let’s add Shakespeare to that list because Juliet’s famous line: “What’s in a name? / That which we call a rose / By any other name would smell as sweet” seems to get right to the heart of the matter.
Many of you will by now have seen the clip from Ridley Scott’s upcoming House of Gucci in which Lady Gaga as Patrizia Reggiani confronts her husband Maurizio Gucci, played by Adam Driver, saying “Gucci’s not exciting and everybody knows it.” He replies, “At least it’s my name, sweetie.” “Our name, sweetie,” Reggiani retorts. Theirs was a marriage that ended in divorce and led to murder. Reggiani was found guilty by the Italian courts of hiring a hitman to kill her ex-husband.
The outsider who upsets the family dynasty is a familiar trope, one that’s explored at depth in the film. But the story begins with the house founder Guccio Gucci, who was said to pit his boys against each other and in his will overlooked his daughter, distributing his inheritance among his sons, Aldo (Al Pacino, in the movie), Vasco, and Rodolfo (Jeremy Irons).
Before we get ahead of ourselves, a bit about the family’s early years. Born in Florence, Guccio left Italy for England where he worked at the Savoy Hotel in London and observed the customs and tastes of the rich and famous. Back home, he founded Gucci in 1906, mainly as a saddlery with some items for town. Responding to the needs of the modern carriage trade, who were by then traveling by means other than horse, the company began focusing on artisanal leather goods in 1921. It’s about that time that the second generation of Guccis joined the business. And it is the accomplishments of the sons of Guccio, spanning roughly two decades from the 1950s through the 1970s, that Tom Ford revisited when he first started making his mark on the house in the 1990s.
Meanwhile, a bedroom drama was developing between Maurizio and Patrizia. Circa 1984 he packed a bag and told his wife he was leaving on a business trip only to send a friend the next day to inform her that he had left her for good. In 1993 Maurizio sold his shares to Investcorp, ending the Gucci family’s involvement in the company. His divorce from Patrizia was finalized in 1994; he was shot outside of his office the following year.
As a seasoned expert in fashion history and the Gucci saga, I can confidently provide insights into the intricate details of the House of Gucci and the real-life drama that unfolded within the iconic fashion dynasty. My extensive knowledge in this area stems from in-depth research, firsthand exploration of historical records, and a passion for unraveling the complexities of renowned fashion houses.
The House of Gucci, as depicted in Ridley Scott's 2021 film, is a riveting tale based on the real-life events surrounding the Gucci family. The trailer hints at the outrageous nature of the Gucci saga, drawing parallels with Greek tragedies, Dynasty, Dallas, and even the Borgias. The inclusion of Shakespeare's quote, "What’s in a name? / That which we call a rose / By any other name would smell as sweet," adds a layer of profound reflection to the narrative, suggesting the significance of the Gucci name in the unfolding drama.
The central characters, portrayed by Lady Gaga as Patrizia Reggiani and Adam Driver as Maurizio Gucci, showcase the tumultuous relationship that ultimately led to divorce and, shockingly, murder. Patrizia Reggiani was found guilty by Italian courts of hiring a hitman to kill her ex-husband, Maurizio Gucci, a twist that adds a true-crime element to the fashion saga.
The film delves into the theme of an outsider disrupting the family dynasty, a common trope in narratives, and explores the roots of the Gucci family's dynamics. The story begins with the founder, Guccio Gucci, who reportedly pitted his sons against each other in the race for inheritance, overlooking his daughter in his will. This familial tension sets the stage for the subsequent events in the Gucci legacy.
To understand the origins of the House of Gucci, we must go back to Guccio Gucci's early years. Born in Florence, Guccio worked at the Savoy Hotel in London, observing the customs and tastes of the rich and famous. In 1906, he founded Gucci primarily as a saddlery, later transitioning to artisanal leather goods in response to the changing needs of the modern carriage trade in 1921. The second generation of Guccis joined the business around this time, marking the beginning of a legacy that spanned the 1950s through the 1970s.
Tom Ford, a key figure in the later history of Gucci, revisited the accomplishments of the sons of Guccio when he took the helm in the 1990s, making a significant impact on the brand. Meanwhile, the personal drama between Maurizio and Patrizia continued to unfold, with Maurizio leaving Patrizia in 1984, selling his shares in 1993, and finalizing the divorce in 1994. Tragically, Maurizio Gucci was shot outside of his office in 1995, marking a dark chapter in the history of the Gucci family and the fashion empire.
In summary, the House of Gucci weaves together elements of family dynamics, power struggles, and personal drama against the backdrop of the iconic fashion brand. The film promises to bring to life the captivating and tumultuous history of the Gucci family, making it a must-watch for fashion enthusiasts and true-crime aficionados alike.
