Gucci Resort '18 Brings Power Clashing to Unprecedented Heights

Alessandro Michele, Creative Director of Gucci, is proving he's not afraid to take the iconic brand into its most theatrical territory yet. His latest show, resort spring '18, took place in Florence's grand Palazzo Pitti. "At the beginning, everything started in the Mediterranean, the Greek and Roman cultures," Michele told Vogue. "But we couldn't have Athens, so I went to the next big step in civilization, the Renaissance, so we came here to Florence, the fascinating metropolis of the past, the place which had the power of big money. Like Napa Valley now."

His fascination with ancient culture expressed itself on the runway in gold-leaf accessories, but the toga theme ended there: Michele's latest designs are a bold exploration in pattern color, and texture, bringing new gravitas to the term, "power clashing."

We've seen bright prints as a collection's focal point before (think anything Jeremy Scott) and we've also seen plenty of God-like gold before (think Armani's underwear runway.) But what makes this collection particularly novel is its infusion of another singular aesthetic: the gawky, nerdy youth. There's boxy jackets, wide-legged trousers, wire-rimmed glasses and lots of sleeve layering to give this runway a much-needed jolt of young outsider energy. The collection looks so uncool that it's become the wardrobe of the coolest kids in school, and as separates, we predict Michele's new garments will be quite marketable when they hit shelves later this year.

Photography: Dan Lecca/Gucci