In Gucci’s SS22 show, set on the iconic Hollywood Boulevard, there was a star studded cast both on and off the runway. With actors like Jared Leto and Macaulay Culkin walking the runway and a front row fit for the oscars the movie star theme went far past the clothes…

The show referenced many decades in American cinema primarily the ‘golden age’ and references to the original film stars. With sleek satin statement gloves the exact shade of pink seen in the iconic ‘Diamonds are a girls best friend’ sequence in ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes’. These attention-grabbing gloves continue the growing trend also seen in Prada’s latest collection of statement gloves in bold colours. Gloves are also interpreted by Michele in this collection with a far an edgier spin in PVC at a dramatic opera length that scream Gucci and bring their unique aesthetic into the Hollywood context by contrasting against more traditional red carpet looks: it really shows how adaptable Gucci’s unique maximalist aesthetic is to different influences without losing its identity.

References to earlier movie stars are seen in the dragon dress with a strong resemblance to the dress worn by silent film star Anna May Wong.

The Femme Fatale trope defined by the Oxford dictionary as a woman who is considered beautiful but likely to bring trouble or danger to those attracted to her. It was (and still is) a common trope with beginnings as early as the 20s in Hollywood and seen clearly in this show. The styling of these models mirroring a Ryan Murphy anti-hero. And sweeping gowns mirroring the much-memed ‘she killed her husband’ dressing gowns. Gucci shows a villain to root for clearly, although wearing such glamorous gothic outfits in the wake of a murder would surely be an admission of guilt?

Feather capes with horn shaped shoulders, black lace, heavy satin, structure and sharp harsh lines spell equal parts glamour and danger. Debbie Addams if she got away with killing fester and went into fashion perhaps? We can however forgive these pastels…

It would be impossible to base a collection on Hollywood without an emphasis on evening wear, and it was some of the best Gucci has produced in years. I found it interesting the fur stoles commonly seen on 30s to 40s film stars were replicated in shredded tulle rather than a faux fur. A less obvious but more eco friendly way to combat Gucci’s new fur ban – as faux fur (commonly acrylic and unbiodegradable ) will eventually have a large environmental impact. This use of tulle creates a fresh solution to a now common problem, in fact I believe the use of tulle was more impactful and inspired than faux fur would have been. I did however cringe at the gorgeous cream boa dragging on the Hollywood boulevard pavement I doubt it’ll ever be the same.

My favourite of the accessories were in fact the sunglasses. Another Hollywood diva staple, the oversized sunglasses to hide from paparazzi. However the drama produced from exaggerating the oversized nature of these sunglasses so extremely cry’s for attention as the stereotype of the Hollywood diva often does.

This is definitely one of my favourites of recent Gucci collections and I hope more like this are coming soon…