After we discussed Gucci outlet bags in our ‘Ultimate Real vs. Fake Gucci Bag Guide’ series, why not have a little fashion history?
The Gucci house’s history is bloody. There was even a book published in 2009 entitled Gucci Wars: How I Survived Murder and Intrigue at the Heart of the World’s Fashion House.
Quite a mouthful, right? There was even the movie House of Gucci starring Adam Driver and Lady Gaga.
A Little History
The author of the book was Jenny Gucci, married to Paolo Gucci, one of the founder’s (Guccio Gucci) grandsons Guccio Gucci.
While they eventually got divorced and in a long, ugly tale, she recounted the origins of the ‘Gucci Plus‘.
According to her, even if the Gucci brand was selling really well in the 1970s, Paolo could see the opportunities for starting a second somewhat cheaper line that would be more accessible, so accessible to the point that he wanted Gucci to be sold in grocery stores!
He wanted to call it ‘Gucci Plus’ and worked day and night on the business plan and designs.
Time and again, he would present his ideas in the boardroom only to have these thrown out. Paolo’s plan was to make the Gucci brand more accessible, especially to younger customers.
His argument was that by using other factories outside of Florence, they can still achieve the same level of quality and save a fortune in the process.
‘Gucci Plus’ was Paolo Gucci’s dream as it would be his own label.
It wasn’t really that he wanted to break away from the family to get it. If his family had agreed, he would have been happy to work on the new line within the family business.
But he had been blocked at every turn. Later, of course, his idea was proven right. Armani (Emporio Armani) and Valentino (Valentino Garavani) both came out with successful second lines.
Without permission from the board, Paolo continued to work on ‘Gucci Plus’. He created the designs, approached suppliers and looked at manufacturing costs in other countries.
Obviously, word got out and, for once, Rodolfo and Aldo were in agreement – Paolo would have to be stopped. Paolo was sued for copyright infringement.
But in 1987, he eventually won a court case that allowed him to use the name “GUCCI” in his products.
However, one of the stipulations stated that these should be trademarked differently so as to differentiate them from the main Gucci line. These bags were produced in Mexico, as well as in Haiti.
Gucci, but not exactly a Gucci
For the record, Gucci DOES NOT recognize ‘Gucci Plus’ as a legitimate Gucci bag. So save yourself from embarrassment and try not to approach any stores for repair, cleaning or restoration. Here is an example of a vintage ‘Gucci Plus’ crossbody bag.
But Main Line Gucci also has “Gucci Plus”?!
Yes, you read that right!
Not to make matters more confusing but the Gucci that we love (thus the reason why you are here) had, at one point, also used ‘Gucci Plus’.
Personally, we personally think they could have done without the name, of all the names in the world. But it has been done.
The main line Gucci once called the coated monogram canvas as “Gucci Plus fabric”. So, in short, this canvas below was technically a messenger bag made from “Gucci Plus fabric”.
But Gucci eventually dropped the name ‘Gucci Plus’ . Thank goodness.
Now, if you browse Gucci.com, these monogram coated canvas bags are now called “GG supreme” fabric. It’s still the same PVC-coated fabric that we love that is durable and weather-resistant.
To add a little clarification to the mix, the ‘Gucci Plus fabric’ should not be confused with another coated material, which is called “Gucci Crystal”. The “Gucci Crystal” has the standard monogram coated with PVC.
Compare the example below with the “Gucci Plus fabric” above to see what we mean:
Hopefully all these history and details made you understand ‘Gucci Plus’ better.
Next, and our personal favorite in this ‘Ultimate Real vs. Fake Gucci Bag Guide’ series, how to spot fake vs. real Gucci bags. Let us start with the Gucci Abbey bag, shall we?
| Jump to any section of this ‘Ultimate Real vs. Fake Gucci Bag Guide’ below: introduction | material | vintage serial number | rounded tag serial number | rectangular tag serial number | exterior | hardware | zipper | lining | seams | vintage gucci & gucci accessory collection | gucci outlet | gucci plus | case study 1: gucci abbey bag | case study 2 : gucci soho bag | case study 3 : gucci dionysus bag |