Gucci Horsebit Loafer Celebrates Its 60th Anniversary

It’s hard to believe that our classic moccasins of choice are turning 60 this year. Yep you heard right, Gucci’s iconic Horsebit loafers with the beautiful double ring and bar motif have been around since the time our grandmothers were our age.

Not only that, but they have remained cool for that long and are still part of every fashionista’s shoe-of-desire list due to its high quality craftsmanship and design. This shoe also marks the anniversary of Gucci incorporating shoes into their brand. Yes, there once was a time where Gucci did not make this accessory.

Now an occasion like this cannot go unnoticed which is why Gucci has launched a global campaign in order to celebrate the shoe’s birthday. The campaign will consist of a full makeover of the brand’s stores and Facebook page.

The stores will now be decorated in all pink and display retro videos of the evolution of the shoe, with the same pink backdrop as the store.This video of the different models that have emerged throughout the shoe’s history, will also be present in all of Gucci’s social media outlets.

There will also be a few limited-edition anniversary models of the shoe which will come in different colors and materials ranging from crocodile to patent leather to suede. This collection will be available both online and in the store.

But that’s not all, the same day of the brand’s global transformation and the launch date of the video, the brand also opened an exhibit in Florence’s Gucci Museo where they retell the story of the shoe and the impact it had on Gucci’s image and success.

It’s a good place to go and see pictures of celebrities like Madonna, Brad Pitt and Jodie Foster wearing this gem. The pictures were retrieved from the Metropolitan Museum’s costume institute archives and in these images one can see that design-wise the shoe has not changed at all, yet has remained stylish throughout its existence.

With such a big celebration of such a beautiful utilitarian shoe, I wouldn’t blame you if you felt tempted to buy a pair (or five) for yourself.

Adriana Herdan | Elite.