Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/1412885
WE TRUST F ashion is a space of reflection. Reinvention is key. Brands need us to turn the page, revisit old themes, and jump into new ones — always creating a sense of the new alongside an urgency to act. Like art, it takes inspiration from the influences around us, whether on the street, in the arena, or in some far-off place. So, it should come as no surprise that Gucci is revisiting its roots in celebration of its centennial anniversary. Such occasions are a reason to look back while we move forward. That the Fall/Winter 2021 Aria digital fashion show was shot at the grande dame of hotels, the Savoy in London, should be no surprise. This was where a young Guccio Gucci gained insight into the psyche of the jet setters of yesteryear. It's here that we find maestro Alessandro IN ALESSANDRO Michele contextualizes the work we saw and gives it new meaning moving forward. In a series of stills and video shot by photographers Mert Alas and Marcus Piggot, Aria is a feast for the senses. It drips with sensuality as it paints a striking portrait of the future. At once opulent, voyeuristic, hedonistic, and layered, it presents the collection in a new light, connecting the stunning works of the Fall/Winter 2021 show to imagery that gives it new meaning. We see Michele and Gucci painting a picture around ideas of identity and sexuality, all while dressed (and occasionally undressed) as we visit the Ontology of Desire, a study of identity, sexuality, eroticism, and, importantly, liberation. This is Michele wrapping Gucci's Aria in a gorgeous package and giving it to us once again. And it is ours to enjoy, as it's a stunning piece of storytelling. Enjoy it at gucci.com. Steven Hempel Michele mining Gucci's history as the house moves into the next 100 years. Launched in April, the digital show inaugurated Gucci's celebration. The Aria campaign connects more dots as 26