Since taking over as Creative Director in January 2015, Alessandro Michele has drawn on Gucci’s archives and iconography to supercharge the brand with his eclectic aesthetic. One of Michele’s early masterstrokes was re-imagining the already popular horsebit loafer, first introduced in 1953. His take on the loafer – backless and lined with kangaroo fur – made a best-selling item a sell-out. With each successive season Gucci offers new and unexpected variations on the slip-on.
For Pre-Fall 2019 Michele adds the horsebit detail to Gucci’s men’s espadrilles. His brown Suede Horsebit Espadrille sandal ($580.00) remains faithful to the shape of the Mediterranean original while the Mini GG Horsebit Espadrille ($540.00) is a backless slide in navy mini GG canvas. Both silhouettes are trimmed in suede and topped with horsebit hardware that ties back to Gucci’s equestrian roots. With a few elevated details Michele turns a shoe style that originated in the 14th century as pheasant footwear into a luxe summer mainstay.
Shop Gucci’s Pre-Fall 2019 Horsebit Espadrilles now at gucci.com.
