A Gucci Month: ‘House of Gucci,’ FIDM’s costume exhibit and more

Writer’s note: Spoilers ahead. 

Gucci has been taking a liking to Los Angeles lately. It started with the “Gucci Love Parade” fashion show at the beginning of the month, right here in the hub of the film industry. Hollywood Boulevard, one of Los Angeles’s showplace streets, was blocked off as models and celebrities walked along the pink terrazzo stars of the Walk of Fame. It was an incredible event, and the best part? It wasn’t just limited to the star-studded guestlist. Pedestrians were allowed to watch, too! 

Then came my birthday evening, which I spent cozying up to the incredible tasting menu at Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura, analyzing and caressing every architectural bite. And just a few days ago, my friend Kristin and I had the Gucci-est of Gucci days. First, we toured the “House of Gucci” costume exhibit at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising museum, where we got up close and personal with some of the iconic outfits featured in Ridley Scott’s biographical crime drama, “House of Gucci,” which came out that day. 

Then, we braved Thanksgiving eve traffic and schlepped over to the Gucci pop-up at The Grove in Los Angeles, which centered around the brand’s new Gucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia fragrance. After pausing for a bite to refuel, it was time for the main event — “House of Gucci,” the movie we’ve been waiting for since July. Can we officially declare November the month of Gucci already? Agreed? Good. 

Throughout all of this Gucci-ness, I have gained a newfound respect for the Italian luxury fashion house. I’ve learned more about its history, its founders, its transformation, downfall and resurrection. I’ve gained an appreciation for it that extends past the gold interlocking double-G logo. I’ve even had broader discussions with friends and family on what makes a luxury brand and how hard it is to maintain a legacy like Gucci’s — its elusiveness, exclusivity and luster. In short, it’s been a Gucci month, yes, but it’s also been a good 30 days of learning. In case you want to join in, here is a breakdown of all the Gucci events and exhibits you can experience! 

1. ‘House of Gucci’ | In theatres now

I still remember when the first photos of Lady Gaga and Adam Driver on set surfaced on the internet. Fans — including myself — were beyond themselves. The buzz was real. Now, the movie is finally here, and going into it, my expectations were high. Luckily, it didn’t disappoint. The movie tells the story of the always-quarrelling Gucci family and their insatiable and often-conflicting ambitions. In particular, it’s about Maurizio Gucci (Adam Driver) and Patrizia Reggiani (Lady Gaga), his social-climbing wife who ultimately — dun, dun, dun — plots and successfully executes his murder. The movie is framed as a love story and oftentimes gets sloppy with the facts, but at the end of the day, if you look past the so-so accents, it’s entertaining and even educational (if you take it upon yourself to do a little additional research of your own). Plus, the fashion moments are worth the watch alone. 

2. House of Gucci Exhibit at FIDM Museum | Nov. 23 – Dec. 4

Speaking of fashion moments, if you’ve seen the movie and loved the fits, you don’t want to miss the exhibit at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising Museum in Los Angeles. Costumes often communicate another layer of story, and this is an incredible opportunity to have an intimate tête-à-tête with some of the most striking outfits from “House of Gucci” and understand the genius of costume designer Janty Yates. You’ll find memorable pieces like the skin-tight red ski suit Reggiani wears in the Italian alps, her wedding dress, among other fabulous suits, jewelry and shoes. It’s a modest but impressive collection, bolstered by a hall full of mesmerizing photography from the film. There’s so much about this exhibit that I loved, and I’ll be sharing a more in-depth account of my tour and some little-known stories behind the costumes — plus more photos! (Stay tuned). 

3. Gucci Gardenia Pop-Up Installation At The Grove | Open till Jan. 7, 2022. 

Inside Gucci’s latest pop-up at The Grove, it feels decidedly like spring again. A pink wallpaper speckled with a garden of flowers — lilies, daisies and sunflowers — engulfs you. So does the purple floors, the blue counters and display cases. It even smells like spring. With such little space, the iconic brand, in partnership with Nordstrom, managed to dream up a whimsical wonderland. My friend and I were greeted by a Gucci representative and a beaming, photo version of Miley Cyrus, who’s the face of the campaign, and a regal-looking white poodle and cat. Gucci’s Flora Gorgeous Gardenia is described as a “signature floral scent crafted for free spirits.” Guests are invited to spritz and sniff the new Gardenia-forward Flora as well as other fragrances, including bottles from the The Alchemist’s Garden collection. There are makeup offerings there, too, to try. On weekends, you can RSVP for more interactive events at the pop-up and take advantage of complimentary floral bouquets, Gucci Flora gift bags and more. 

4. ‘Gucci Love Parade’ fashion show

It was the fashion event of the month — no, the year! Gucci’s creative director Alessandro Michele brought “Gucci Love Parade” to Hollywood Boulevard. On. Nov. 2, Los Angeles’ iconic street was blocked off to make way for the fashion show, which boasted a star-studded guestlist — including the likes of Lizzo, Dakota Johnson, Salma Hayek, Billie Eilish, Miley Cyrus and Gwyneth Paltrow. An avid fan of the silver screen, Michele packed on the glitz and the glam! Think: boudoir gowns with feather trims, layered lace frocks, dramatic boas, tiaras and a boatload of sequins! Jared Leto (who stars in the movie), Jodie Turner-Smith, Macaulay Culkin walked atop the terrazzo and brass stars on the Walk of Fame. If you missed my blog post about the event, read my play-by-play narrative (including some behind-the-scenes rehearsal moments) of the evening here. 

5. Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura

Nestled next to Gucci’s Beverly Hills flagship store, the Gucci Osteria opened its doors back in February of 2020, under the direction of culinary genius Massimo Bottura. When I first heard the news, I was ecstatic. I’d watched Bottura’s episode of Netflix’s “Chef’s Table,” and I was amazed by his artistic creations and their whimsical names. I visited the restaurant back in October 2020, and having babbled (a little too much) about how much I loved it, Anton picked up my hints and took me there for my birthday for the restaurant’s tasting menu. Head chef Mattia Agazzi dreamed up dishes worth the month you have to wait to snag a reservation. I loved that, not only was the food absolutely delicious, every bite told a story, and our waitress was there to educate us. Read more about my first visit to Gucci Osteria here.