Historically, the equine symbolism has been a metaphor for the spirit of freedom (travel), indicative of status, power, and wealth. That symbolism was not lost on Guccio Gucci, when he worked as bellboy at London’s Savoy hotel, during his teenage years. So inspired by the polo lifestyle of the posh and the stylish riding gear worn by guests at the hotel, that when he humbly started the House of Gucci in 1921 as a small, family-owned leather shop, he sold saddles, leather bags and other accessories to horsemen in the 1920s. In keeping with tradition today, the Florentine-based house of style still produces a range of equestrian-inspired (think motifs of bits, stirrups, and reins) clothing and accessories.
When Guccio Gucci died, his son, Aldo Gucci (along with his brothers) took over the reins. One of the first things he introduced was the dressy loafer, as an elevated stylish counter to the more casual moccasin favoured by American hipsters. The story goes that during a trip to New York where the brand was planning to open its first 5th Avenue Manhattan boutique back in 1953, he had noticed the Americans’ partiality to the slip-on. When he returned to Italy, Gucci came up with the shoe that would bridge the gap between casual and formal wear. It would retain the comfortable construction and slip-on convenience of the moccasin, yet with the elegant style of a dress shoe. Made of saddle leather, it had an almond-shaped toe box, a small, stacked heel, and golden hardware – a distinctive metal snaffle horse bit that references the equestrian legacy of the house. Thus, the birth of the Gucci Horsebit loafer.