SOFT POWER

A legacy spun from silk, Gucci's scarves continue to enchant, writes Ekta Sinha

- 

In a world of fleeting fashion trends, Gucci's silk scarves remain a constant, thanks to a new generation's knack for revisiting the past and reviving accessories that remain iconic even today. Introduced in the 1950s and cherished through the decades since, these scarves are an enduring emblem of craftsmanship, luxury, and artistic storytelling. They have become synonymous with the House's dedication to heritage and innovation.

FROM FLORENCE TO COMO

Gucci's tryst with silk began in the 1950s, drawing from its artisanal roots in leather goods. In 1958, a landmark collaboration with a master silk producer in Como, Italy, an area renowned for its fine silk, led to the creation of Tolda di Nave, a nautical-themed scarf that launched a new chapter in Gucci's design vocabulary.

By the 1960s, Gucci's silk ambitions took flight through a prolific partnership with Italian illustrator Vittorio Accornero de Testa. Over two decades, he designed nearly 80 scarves, each a vibrant blend of nature, fantasy, and technical precision. His work transformed silk from fabric into a medium of visual poetry.