The luxury fashion house will showcase its latest womenswear and menswear collection at the historic Castel Del Monte in Apulia, Italy. By Chirag Mohanty Samal
Gucci is all set to reveal its latest womenswear and menswear collection today, May 16th, at yet another historical location—the Castel Del Monte in Apulia, Italy. The decision comes in line with the leading luxury fashion house’s commitment towards sustaining, preserving and promoting cultural and artistic heritage. Gucci has pledged to support an enhancement project of the historical site, which will improve visitor experience. Earlier this year, in January, Gucci had announced the fashion show without revealing the location.
Castel Del Monte which is in Andria within the Apulia region of Southeast Italy, was declared a World Heritage Site in 1996. Known for its stunning geometric designs the monument blends elements from Northern Europe, the Islamic world and classical antiquity. It beautifully represents a crossroads of different civilizations and religions.
The masterpiece was commissioned around 1240 by Frederick II of Hohenstaufen, King of Sicily, Germany, Italy and Holy Roman Emperor from 1220 as well as King of Jerusalem from 1225. He was a patron of science and arts and under his reign the monument came up as a cultural symbol of the Mediterranean. The seemingly isolated castle stands atop a hill at a height of 540 metres above sea level.
Though brands usually show their cruise or resort collections during the months of May and June, Michele decided to do away with the conventions and decided to do his show in April. The brand is yet to reveal the name of the collection. Michele’s fascination for historical places can be seen in the locations he often chooses for his shows. Just before the Covid-19 pandemic hit, he had showed Gucci’s 2018 cruise collection at Palazzo Palazzo Pitti’s Palatina Gallery in Florence. The 2019 cruise collection was showcased at Arles, in the Alyscamps Roman necropolis, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1981 and the venue for the 2020 collection runway show was Capitoline Museum in Rome. Besides these locations, Gucci has held shows at New York’s Dia Art Foundation and Westminster Abbey’s cloisters in London.
In the coming years, Gucci has made its intent clear that while it will continue to redefine luxury fashion, it will also pursue the celebration of global culture and historic heritage.
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