Italian luxury brand Gucci says it will unify its women’s and men’s collections from 2017 in an effort to simplify the designer’s business.
This is contained in a statement issued by the President and Chief Eexecutive of Gucci, Marco Bizzarri.
He said: “The first combining women’s and men’s wear will be at Gucci’s new Milan Headquarters.’’
Bizzarri did not specify when it would be scheduled, but a close source to Gucci disclosed to Reuters that it would likely be during the women’s fashion week which was receiving most attention from both media and buyers.
The president affirmed that the launching date for both collections would be separate, but did not give the reason and benefit behind the separation of the launching date.
“The separate dates for the two collections was a result of tradition rather than practicality, and the brand would work with the Italian Chamber of Fashion to define the new calendar of dates.’’
The decision comes amid a growing debate in the fashion industry over the need to combine collections, the condense dates for shows as well as putting items on sale immediately after the catwalk presentations.
Gucci, the Florence-based brand, part of the Kering group, was following in the steps of Britain’s Burberry group, which said last November that it would bring its collections under a single brand.
Gucci creative Director, Alessandro Michele, who was promoted to the job in January last year, disclosed “it was natural step but not necessarily an easy path and will certainly present some challenges’’.
The company assured that it respected the necessities of the creative and production process in luxury fashion.
“The company will maintain the see now, buy later schedule by which collections do not land in shops immediately after shows, respecting the necessities of the creative and production process in luxury fashion.’’ (Reuters/NAN)