Gucci: Confronting the Bling

To some of you who were mildly/semi interested in the trip to New York courtesy of Gucci and those who were dismayed at my confounded week of tech-mistakes, I am trying to make up for it now that I'm back online (emergency trip to PC World yesterday...) so you may either skip if you're not interested or read along for the Gucci ride.

I'll be brutally honest and say that when Gucci first approached me about participating in this trip and attending the event etc, I had to question whether me posting about Gucci, a brand that I have never shown great love for would be blog-ethical.  The way I did approach it is to perhaps try and see if I would personally have a change of opinion, whilst taking in a trip on behalf of the blog.

On Tuesday, as I said, the press conference held at the new Fifth Avenue Store (for which all of this hoo-hah is for...) was heaving with a) Gucci bags.... so many that I began seeing duplicates and b) those running through the motions of New York Fashion Week engagements and there was myself, one and only amateur fash blogger (Betsy from Fashion is Spinach and Elisabeth from La Coquette are both pro journalists...).  First, Mark Lee, the CEO of Gucci detailed the history of Gucci and its relationship with New York, how when the first store on Fifth Avenue opened in 1953, a 'special bond' between Gucci and New York formed.  I later found out that Mark Lee is a self confessed New Yorker, hence why he seemed genuinely passionate and excited when speaking of the new store ('excited child proud of his school project' was the vibe I got with no offense to Mr Lee!). 

Now comes the maths part.  He then ran through some rather interesting figures of Gucci's profit growth.  Dull as dishwater they may seem but it seemed interested how a brand that is known for its leather goods is making healthy increases in ready to wear (though the overall percentage of revenues was still dominated by leather goods 54.3% to be precise, RTW and shoes increased their revenues by 20% as opposed to leather goods which only increased by 10%).  It says to me that a bigger interest is being taken in luxury brands' non-core businesses, that creative directors like Frida are taking the right steps to making people see Gucci as something other than just that brand that produces logo-ed bags.  It occurred to me that perhaps it is my automatic disposition to rain down on the fat cats and champion the underdogs that makes me forget that fashion is also about business and that Gucci is exceedingly successful as a luxury brand and that after 50 years, they are one of the handful of brands that still remain.  This isn't me joining the 'I love Gucci' parade but accepting it for what it is and respecting that. 

Another maths fact that explained why there were SO many press people from the Asia Pacific.  Asia and Japan (Japan brings in enough revenue to warrant it's own category) makes up 40% of total revenues.  Ack is all I can say!

Frida Giannini then took the podium and ran through the concept of the store which she designed herself and instead of outsourcing architects, Gucci had an in-house team to realise their vision for the store.  Natural light is a key component of the store (too bad, it was a bit of a gloomy day...) and historic Gucci materials were also incorporated such as dark rosewood and marble.  It sounds too heavy for a store but when combined with all the smoked mirror/glass, perspex/glass and shiny gold, the store felt like an homage to both Gucci and Art Deco.  It could have been ever so bling-tastic but it was actually rather understated and elegant but not in a cold way. 

Later that day, all the bloggers were given a tour or the store in great detail by Mark Lee, who could have easily delegated the tours to someone else (he had already given three that day...) but undertook it himself and it was literally so indepth, I'm still getting little tidbits popping back in my brain even now.  Though Frida Giannini is the creative director, Mark Lee seems involved in all processes and knew everything from what the lacquer the bamboo handles on a bag is covered with to the origins of the carpet design.  I felt like I wanted to ask him really REALLY random things just to see if he would know it.... (I did ask him how he felt about the upcoming Ridley Scott film on Gucci.... he was all for it!).      

I have to admit that because of the tour of the store and seeing things that made me think 'Oh my!', I did sneakily check out the SS08 collection after the tour just to refresh my memory as again, Gucci isn't one of those collections I memorise   For example, in a very uncool way, I suddenly yelped 'Oh my God!  I luuurve those shoes' when talking about the peep toe patent lace-ups from the SS08 collection.  People laughed.  It was on the 2nd floor with the shoes where all the really fashion-forward stuff came together and where my eyes started glinting and probably where Giannini's work is best-showcased.

As another way of celebrating the store's opening, they a) delved into the archives to create a Heritage line of bags that are based on designs in the archive and b) went a bit tongue in cheek and wanted to say a big 'I HEART NY' with an entire range of bags with this slogan emblazoned on it.  I'll again be honest and say that yes, Gucci did bestow upon me such a bag which I had to be photographed with in front of my favourite NYC landmark (I chose the Frick Collection... who snootily would not allow pics inside it...).  I'm still looking at the bag back in London and thinking how I can carry this without looking like I'm disturbingly REALLY into New York so I'm thinking loading it up with my red and blue chain scarves and necklaces with a t-shirt dress and red patent shoes will somehow make this work.

Through my sudden urge to back-up every five minutes, I did salvage some footage and made an ok-ish video of the tour.  It of course would have been ma-hussively better with my footage of the main event but hey... best of a bad situation and all that....

Notes about my lack of professionality which has recently come up... People who see me as a professional blogger be it readers or the fashion industry (if any of them read this?!) need to get one thing clear: I have always and STILL work full time as a digital media planner and blogging is what I do part time (as in during unsociable hours...).  Which means, when I'm supposedly swanning around the world doing fun-bloggery things with my boyfriend in tow, it is because I am taking those days off as part of my limited number of annual leave days.  Ergo, effectively, that is my annual holiday.  Slap me for wanting to be with the ones I love during those days.  Yes, the Gucci trip was in essence a business trip but it was also a holiday for me which I don't get many of (you might have noticed I haven't been back to Hong Kong in an age.... that's because I have no time....).  Attending any fashion weeks, fashion-related event are all taken as holidays.  I'd love to be a Diane Pernet and traipse around the world dedicating my entire life to blogging but alas, I have to eat, live and pay high tax rates in Laaandon. 

Yes, I majorly fucked up with my week of tech accidents/blunders and if you think I didn't cry over it or berated myself for letting down readers and also Gucci, because they were ever so helpful over the whole thing, then you're wrong.  The boyf and also the bloody tissues can attest to that (I have nose bleeds when I cry....).  I did my best to salvage the best out of a bad situation.  What more can I do? 

Oooh... I know...post about the actual event itself which is EVER so late and alas...sans images but there you go...

Comments

[Guerreira]

I so relate to having to go see shows, blog or do other fashiony things in your free time. Same with me. I think your blog rocks and you did the best you could with the Gucci trip, and I am sure many of your v other readers think the same...as Bono said in some song ages ago: "don't let the bastards drag you down".

[allie]

that staircase is fabulous

and you have definetly made good of a bad situation, terrific update!

[Drusilla]

You were open enough to consider the trip despite the fact that Gucci wasn't one of your automatic favourites, so good for you, I say. And, as ever- hats off to you for managing your real life as well as you do with the blogging schedule (daily posts? I salute you for that, and the fact that they are as good as they are).

[Mary]

you did a great job - stop justifying and enjoy your fabulousness :)

[kate battrick]

Susie - you must be excellent at your day job as you are an excellent blogger - don't worry about crtics they can f**k off.

[Libertygirl]

There's quite a big after-debate going in NYC at the mo about the ethics of the UN hosting a commercial party like this, (you'll have noticed that Moon -the Sec Gen - ducked out of attending at the last minute) and Mark Lee had the brazen gall to say that the timing of the party (ostensibly a Malawi fundraiser) was a mere coincidence with the opening of the Manhattan flagship. Pull the other one Mr Lee. LLG xx

[SkinnyWolf]

I think you dealt with your misfortune in New York very well..try not berate yourself too much.

I don't really understand these 'unprofessional' jibes (which smack of pure jealousy if you ask me).

You've never claimed to be a full time blogger or fashion insider or to have the last word on style, and you certainly don't 'owe' it to anyone to blog! It's your blog, and you can write and post in whatever way you like.

In fact I think the reason so many people enjoy reading your blog is precisely because it's so individual and idiosyncratic, and because you have a 'real' job and life.

Just keep on being you!

[selina]

you don't need to justify yourself Susie, if Gucci wanna treat you then it's there business and I am one of many (or probably all) readers that know how much yu tooooootally deserve this, i mean all the time and effort put into this blog, wow!
mistakes happen, things get lost, at least it wasn't your luggage!! you're only human, no one blames you, it's fabulous to even hear about the gucci trip wth such honesty!

[Susie]

I've been reading this blog for a long time but have never commented. Style Bubble is my favorite blog, and not just because you spell your name the same way as me and have the same birthday (December 13th), although that's really cool too.
I'm sorry about your tech problems recently.
I'n not the biggest Gucci fan either, and honestly when I first saw that Gucci <3 NY bag in an ad, I thought "Wow that's the tackiest thing I've ever seen", but I'm sure you'll manage to wear it with an outfit that makes it look amazing =)
Thank you always for doing this blog and sharing your amazing style.
Don't let critics get you down too much.

[Rhiannon]

You're the most honest fashion blogger out there and I love it. :)

[miss woo]

The NY bag is so tacky its kind of amazing! And don't beat yourself up over the technical losses, just reading your usual witty and engaging writing more than made up for it :)

whats the music to your video? i love it

[Winnie]

Hey, don't worry about it, I love your blog and It really doesn't matter to me in any way at all that you haven't got any photos to illustrate your NY trip. You've got this really likeable and honest way of writing that has kept me reading. I know that blogging is not your job and it is more of a hobby and thats what I like about your blog. It's real and so many of us can relate to the way you approach fashion and shopping. I really don't know how you manage to post so often when you have a full time day job...Keep up the good work!!

[Luce]

I agree with the above commenter ^. Fuck those losers who say you're "unprofessional"- when did you ever say you were? and thats part of why we love you!

[Noel]

The best thing about you as a blogger is that you're completely approachable. I'm not intimidated when I comment your posts, and you're not elitist at all. You're you -- adorable, stylish, and fabulously honest. Sometimes I wonder how you became this way :] teach me!
And the Gucci coverage is REALLY great. Thank you!

Well Bubble, this was a nice post and thanks for doing it, but you really need to relax. I'm afraid if there was a letter before A that would be your type.

[riz]

Susie, I always appreciate your frankness in the way that you allude to fashion being a big business enterprise. But here you are even more honest. It is nice to see you are committed enough to this stance to distance yourself from some of the pretense...
I am still looking forward to your review of the Gucci event!

I have a lot more I'd like to say...I'll post later.

[riz]

Susie, I always appreciate your frankness in the way that you allude to fashion being a big business enterprise. But here you are even more honest. It is nice to see you are committed enough to this stance to distance yourself from some of the pretense...
I am still looking forward to your review of the Gucci event!

I have a lot more I'd like to say...I'll post later.

[Cindy]

Hi, Susie, I really like your blog. You have done a brilliant job and I really admire you! Please do not let some remarks affect you. Enjoy Chinese new year and have a good time!

[maya]

I really like the integrity that you bring to your blog :-) I love how personal and honest and most of all passionate you are about things. Your vocabulary is so textured and interested but you never sound like your trying too hard to sound a certain way or anything.
Gucci by Gucci is an experiance worth having either way. There must be something about Gucci's marketing because it's not really one of those brands that really filter much on my radar either. Posh spice made for bad P.R. in my books! i like the N.Y bag hehe, it's sort of like a tennis champ bag from the seventies.
So sorry about your techno glitches! Don't cry! ): (or bleed! D:) what's done is done really. I feel your pain (my beloved zen mp3 got stolen).

^lengthy!

Oh yes! What's the music in the clip? it sounds like hot hot heat.

[natty]

since when was blogging a profession? Susie ignore these idiots who think they have something valid to say. I'd love to see their fantastic fashion blogs but I'd very much doubt they would have the guts to start one!

[WendyB]

That bag is AWESOME!!!! But you need to take a photo of it with a dog in front of it ;-)
I'll settle for a cat.

[miz]

You know, it really makes me angry the attitude some people take towards your blog. I read the offending comments after your tech disaster, and it seems like these people misunderstand what you're doing with Style Bubble. It's a personal project that's become something bigger than I'm sure even you imagined, and I don't think you've ever had any pretensons to being a "professional". Your self-effacing writing style is charming and accesible, and I think that's why a lot of people love it, because it feels so personal. That being said, you also bring a lot of passion and knowledge to the table, and considering that you aren't actually a professional journalist, you have a remarkable dedication to your blog. You come across as very intelligent but also as a lovely girl, and I think the blend of expert knowledge (compared to the average person) with a casual, approachable tone is the key to your success. So in fact, I guess it's understandable that some people would get confused and think that maybe you were an aspiring fashion insider, and that's probably a testament to your level of knowledge and engagement with fashion, that's far beyond the normal person. Your dedication gives you an air of expertise which I guess confuses people. Still, that's no excuse for people to be downright rude and even though maybe you're getting used to criticism, I hope you don't listen to the nasty comments because they're seemingly coming from people who don't get the spirit of your blog. You don't have a "responsibility" to anyone, it's your thing and the personal approach is what got you so far, so there's no need to worry about the nasty people who insist on being hostile.

Haha, sorry just had to get that off my chest, it was bothering me.

[Shelley]

I love your blog so much! I love it because you have such a PASSION for fashion (rhyming unintended). It's your unique style and commentary that makes me read you everyday!!

[enc]

What a great, honest, hilarious post. I love the fact that you are so on the level.

[rollergirl]

What Miz said...
When can we see the I *heart* NY outfit? Soon please!

[susie_bubble]

Thank you so much for understanding where I'm coming from. I knew I wasn't going loopy and that regular readers know that I'm in fact not a full time blogger. It was something I needed to clear up because I do still get emails asking me what it is I do..... it's no big deal. If I was a full time professional journalist, then yes, all that happened on the trip would have been highly un-pro and really amateur... but as it is.... I'm not with the situation that I'm working in right now, juggling about five different things, I am finding it hard to fit my personal life in.... it's been a real strain, let's just put it like that...

The song in the video is Broken (Fairy Lights Mix) by Late of the Pier - it's from the new Kitsune compilation album

WendyB: No cat or dog.... damn allergies!

Miz: Hehe.... I think I'll do something of a blingy/badass 'Yo NYC' outfit.... we shall see!

[Brownsugar]

Susie, maybe God didn't want us to read that much about Gucci??? Hee hee.

You live and learn, no-one is perfect so please don't keep beating yourself up about the lost files as tragic as it was.

[Prêt-à-Porter Prostitute]

cool video tour

[lady coveted]

susie, you are my hero.... and a true inspiration to me, really.

blogging is different from print media. you have never claimed to be a pro... i see your blog growing to that point if you wanted to.

i'm just amazed that you're able to do all this. i'm really struggling not to totally lose it mentally. juggling everything is tough.

thank you.