Since its debut in Shanghai, there’s been nothing short of anticipation for the arrival of the Gucci Cosmos exhibition in London.
For Gucci Cosmos’ run at 180 Studios at 180 The Strand, the designer of the original exhibition, British artist Es Devlin, has created a show space with additional elements that pay tribute to the UK capital. Through an array of sets, sculptures and multimedia artworks, various immersive worlds craft experiences that are both visually and physically captivating.
18 Studios at 18 The Strand was transformed into the Gucci Cosmos London exhibition.
Photo: Courtesy of Gucci
'Zoetrope' at the Gucci Cosmos exhibition.
Photo: Courtesy of Gucci
Curated by Italian fashion critic Maria Luisa Frisa, Gucci Cosmos features never-before-seen items from the Gucci archive, taking us through decades of the beloved brand, demonstrating how it has evolved over the last century and how its visionary design ethos has stood the test of time.
The 'Eden' section of the Gucci Cosmos exhibition.
Photo: Courtesy of Gucci
Sky blue, crystal-clear mirrors, and archival Gucci handbags make up the 'Archivio' world.
Photo: Courtesy of Gucci
London plays a pivotal role in Gucci’s rich history; it was here that founder Guccio Gucci was first inspired to start his artisanal luggage atelier whilst working as a bell boy at The Savoy. This is also where the exhibition invites us to begin our journey, recreating the legendary hotel’s famous Red Lift for its ‘Ascending Room’.
An array of archival pieces specially curated by Italian fashion critic Maria Luisa Frisa on display at the 'Portals' section.
Photo: Courtesy of Gucci
Two 10-metre tall statues fill the 'Two' room.
Photo: Courtesy of Gucci
A labyrinth series of revolving doors leads us on to our immersive journey from rotating luggage belts, archival pieces from Tom Ford, Alessandro Michele, and Frida Giannini, to its current designer Sabato De Sarno. Two 10-metre tall statues lie horizontally with designs projected onto them. The ‘Archivio’ section with endless mirrors and sky blue paint, houses an archive of bags from the Jackie to the Bamboo. At the ‘Cabinet of Wonders’, an installation spins around to reveal Met Gala gowns, Elton John looks, Harry Styles’ concert pieces, and all sorts of whimsical accessories.
The 'Cabinet of Wonders' displays a revolving wardrobe filled with momentous Gucci pieces.
Photo: Courtesy of Gucci
'Carousel' at the Gucci Cosmos exhibition.
Photo: Courtesy of Gucci
The 'Gucci Ancora' room is an ode to the future of the Italian fashion house.
Photo: Courtesy of Gucci
The exhibition’s last display, put together specifically for the London instalment, looks towards Gucci’s future under Sabato De Sarno’s creative direction. Titled ‘Gucci Ancora’— which is Italian for “also now, also then”— the room is shrouded in red light, mirroring De Sarno’s inaugural Gucci collection where the colour was first established as his trademark.
Editor
Olivia BuckinghamCredit
Lead image: Dave Benett
