But I Thought Tom Ford For Gucci Is What We All Wanted?

Thoughts on what's happening at Gucci right now, and what it can tell us about the broader fashion landscape.

One of the most highly anticipated moments in fashion happened just last week in Milan, as Gucci showed the world their latest runway collection. Why, you may ask, was this collection Such A Big Deal? Well, not only was this Gucci’s first runway show under their new creative director, Demna, but it also occurred as the whole industry was looking at Gucci to see if, after a period of financial struggles, it could finally turn things around.

Gucci’s parent company, Kering, has reported declining sales for three consecutive years now. And, while these declines do seem like they’re starting to slow and signal a potential return to growth, the pressure is still on at Gucci. Especially considering it’s Kering’s largest brand by both sales and profits.

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So, whether or not Demna—who was credited for transforming Balenciaga into a “cultural phenomenon”—can revitalize Gucci is, quite literally, a billion-dollar question.

Now, one week since his runway debut, it’s interesting to analyze the show’s reception, dissecting not only what we saw on the runway, but also how this new Gucci fits into high-fashion’s greater landscape. And, what it says about what the fashion industry needs versus doesn’t need today. Let’s get into it.