Gucci Taps Nine Artists to Reinterpret Silk Scarves From Its Archive

Today, Gucci has unveiled a new initiative blending fashion and art: the 90x90 project. With a title referencing the dimensions of the silk scarves, the project invites nine artists from around the world to reinterpret five themes that crop up in the Italian house’s illustrious archive: flora, Animalia, nautical, equestrian, and the GG Monogram. The lineup of artists includes Robert Barry, Everett Glenn, Sara Leghissa, Currynew, Jonny Niesche, Gio Pastori, Walter Petrone, Yu Cai, and Inji Seo, all of whom have created unique, collectible fashion items in their own right. Highlights include Chinese illustrator Yu Cai’s candy-coloured take on horsebits and saddles, Seoul-based artist Inji Seo pop reimagining of Gucci’s monogram, and Australian artist Jonny Niesche’s haunting, abstract colour mirages. 

“Approaching a fashion archive is, first and foremost, a tireless exercise in observation and interpretation,” says the house. “In the case of a scarf archive, it's also like opening a storybook.” First introduced in 1966, the Flora scarf signalled Gucci’s debut in silk accessories, featuring a design of floral bunches by Italian artist and illustrator Vittorio Accornero de Testa. Now, via the hands of these nine artists, the scarf has been updated for a contemporary, art-conscious audience.

“In the scarves, each character comes to life, from the central lily of Flora to the animals of the savannah, metamorphosing into sci-fi monochromatic gels or compelling characters from an adventure comic,” says the house. “[These are] interpretations that strengthen the symbols of the house, animate them and launch them towards new perspectives, interpretations and uses for the future.” The project will be accompanied by the launch of a coffee table in late April, Gucci: The Art of Silk, The Story of Gucci Scarves, curated by Jo-Ann Furniss and published by Assouline.

Find out more about Gucci’s 90x90 project here.