“Everybody comes to Hollywood/They wanna make it in the neighbourhood/They like the smell of it in Hollywood/How could it hurt you when it looks so good?” Madonna’s 2003 hit ‘Hollywood’ might have painted a picture of Tinseltown that was both fascinating and frightening, but Alessandro Michele’s recent imagination of it is one that is purely fashionable.
Dubbed the Gucci Love Parade, Michele staged an extravaganza on Los Angeles’ Hollywood Boulevard last November. With a star-studded front row that consisted of Miley Cyrus, Dakota Johnson and Gwyneth Paltrow—in the maison’s unforgettable velvet suit from 1996—the scene was set with excitement for Gucci’s centennial anniversary. And what better way to celebrate the remarkable milestones of the brand than with a parade of epic proportions—offset by a vision created by both Michele’s inimitable flair and the theatric glamour of show business?
On Michele’s drawing board were references that brought to light the many facets and characters of Hollywood: “A parade of enchanted and deeply free beings that go across a land where neither past nor future reside: only the miracle of the imaginative flair. Mum always told me about it: Los Angeles shines in its own magic, which is timeless; it’s a place that brushes the divinities, becoming a mythology of the possible,” he shared in post-show notes last year.
With each look was an unveiling of a persona—actor Macaulay Culkin channelled surfer-boy-meets-wandering-tourist in a Hawaiian shirt; models in tiaras and feather boas emulated the divas of decades past and the essence of the red carpet was immortalised by plumed, floor-length gowns. Fast forward to today and the consensus is that us fashion lovers can be part of this ever-changing world, too—by way of the Gucci Love Parade’s ready-to-wear and accessories curation, of course.
On the accessories front, Gucci gives some of its much-loved classics the superstar treatment. Think: archival favourites such as the Gucci Diana and the Jackie 1961, offset by a brand new addition, the Gucci Blondie. Inspired by the brand’s affinity for versatility and gender fluidity, it sports a vintage interlocking G detail that was popularised in the ’70s. As striking as it is practical, the line also consists of a messenger, chain shoulder and a mini make as well as GG Supreme canvas, suede and leather finishes.
And as for how to style the collection on our shores? Here at Vogue Singapore, we are partial to mixing things up. To pull off the line-up’s offerings with maximum impact, our tip is to go big on juxtaposition. Case in point: pairing dark tailored separates with neon accessories and nails, billowing pink dresses with jet-black, webbed stockings and riding boots with lace skirts. The fun is in, after all, being able to inhabit the very many characters in us. So why not do it in Gucci?
Photography Jiajia Tan
Styling Desmond Lim
Hair and make-up Marc Teng using Kevin Murphy and Make Up For Ever
Manicure Rebecca Chuang
Set design Angela Zhang
Floral arrangement Soul Floristry
Photographer’s assistants Christopher Wong and Ng Jun Yi
Stylist’s assistant Joey Tan
Shop Gucci Love Parade in stores and on the brand’s e-commerce platform.
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