The Gucci Cruise pitched up on Southbank earlier this week and stars flocked in numbers to see Sabato de Sarno’s youthful new collection.

Gucci holds London close to its heart, heritage, and beginning. Guccio Gucci found work as a porter at the Savoy Hotel in 1897, hauling guests’ luggage up and down the elevators, before deciding to tell his own story through fashion. Shortly returning to Florence, Italy, he went on to open a travel store and this became the Gucci we know and love so dearly today.

 

Fast forward 127 years and last night, Gucci took to the Tate Modern on the Southbank to showcase their latest collection, Gucci Resort. With a cascade of florals, colours, and breezy tones, creative director Sabato de Sarno truly encapsulated what summer is about. Light and liberating clothing is all we ask for in the scorching heat, and Gucci delivered this in abundance.

Rising Stars Sat Front Row

Fashion icons Devon Lee Carlson, Olivia Neil and Mimi Moocher graced the event, each dressing to impress in the signature Gucci style. Devon opted for an oversized yet playful denim shirt, hallmark Ancora short shorts, and sunglasses. Olivia, on the other hand, dazzled in a floor-length overcoat and white tank top, sporting a black and white ensemble.

 

Actors Adèle Exarchopolous, best known for her role in the hit romance Passages, and Emilia Schüle AKA Marie Antoinette from the TV drama series, were spotted front-row eying up the looks as they strutted by. Meanwhile, polymathic rapper Little Simz graced the event and featured in a funky promotional video beforehand.

Serving Sylvan Sultriness

Set against the brutalist backdrop of the lower ground floor at the Tate Modern, the venue was transformed into a pastoral paradise, with meadowy landscapes, wildflowers galore, and a serene ambience of a fresh and fruitful summer. The vibe was relaxed yet refined, mirroring the effortless sophistication yet juxtaposing nature that Gucci is renowned for.

 

An ethereal and stripped-back take on Blondie’s ‘Heart of Glass’ filled the air and with the star also in attendance, the defile radiated a summer atmosphere. “Rigour and extravagance, strength in delicacy, Englishness with an Italian accent,” detailed the show notes. The collection gave us cherry reds, olive greens, and linen whites, featuring flowy dresses, tailored suits, and luxurious beachwear adorned with sylvan motifs and a flock of sheer materials.

KAYTRANADA and Arca Took to the Decks at the Afters

Following the runway, guests were treated to an exclusive afterparty, which showcased Sabato de Sarno and the youth of Italy’s shared vision for Gucci and the fashion industry. KAYTRANADA and icon/DJ, Arca, known for their music and appearances on various runway shows as a model, gave a hand to the decks and kept the party alight.

 

During the set, Arca played ‘Hidden Place‘ by Björk and got into the mix with the Haitian-born, Montreal-based producer, playing Riton and Nightcrawler’s hit ‘Friday‘ amongst an amalgamation of other left-field electronic IDs. Keeping Gen-Z in mind, several emerging and established internet personalities were present, ensuring the glamorous occasion was shared and advertised online for all of us less fortunate to attend to see.

Sabato de Sarno’s Debut Resort Celebrates What’s To Come 

In true Gucci fashion, the afterparty was a star-studded affair, with celebrities like Kate Moss and Dua Lipa dancing the night away with fashion industry insiders and Gucci’s creative team themselves. Attendees celebrated into the early hours, surrounded by the essence of London’s vibrant fashion scene, which Sabato de Sarno paid homage to through the show itself.

 

The Gucci Londra Cruise is a testament to the vision and creativity Sabato de Sarno implements into the label. With its eclectic mix of modern-day Milano-girl glamour and dynamic resort wear, it’s sure to be a hit among fashion clientele worldwide this coming season and teases what the designer will bring in seasons to come.