Testing ground: Gucci unveils its ArtLab, a centre for craftsmanship and sustainability
![Gucci Art Lab facade](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Ymrm4G6TE8QkHyVvWAE6E8-415-80.jpg)
From the textured tiger head closure of the Gucci Dionysus bag, to the shearling lined inner of its slip-on Horsebit loafers, the brand’s Alessandro Michele-designed accessories are staple of its recent revenue success. In 2017, Gucci’s leather goods and shoes accounted for over 70% of its annual revenue. Now, in a bid to excel and innovate in this area, the Italian brand has unveiled its ArtLab in Casellina, a new 37,000 sq m facility, which for the first time in the luxury industry, will act as a centre for the production of both leather goods and shoes.
Gucci has unveiled its 37,000 sq m ArtLab in Casellina, Italy
The revolutionary new space, which houses 800 employees, is enclosed within a kaleidoscopic facade, boasting large scale paintings by Gucci’s roster of illustrators and artists, like Unskilled Worker, Ignasi Monreal, Angelica Hicks and Coco Capitan. Inside, in a space populated with Gucci Décor objects, and featuring a large staircase in a shade of bold red, the ArtLab acts as a space for in-house prototyping and sampling, populated with R&D laboratories, a bamboo room dedicated to its leather goods, test labs with climate chambers and an internal shoe lasting department.
Located on the outskirts of Florence, the ArtLab is situated near the historical HQ of the brand. It emphasises Michele’s bid to reeducate customers regarding the geographical heritage of the luxury house. In January this year, the label opened the Gucci Garden in the city’s Palazzo della Mercanzia. The six room, multi-floor space featured symbols of the brand’s past, tracing its evolution from a luggage maker, founded in 1921. In Michele’s latest project, the Florentine history of Gucci has bene further gilded with a glimmer of its innovative, artisan-focused and experimental future.
ArtLab will focus on preserving the brand’s manufacturing know-how and innovation
The interior of ArtLab has been filled with pieces from the Gucci Décor collection
A bold red staircase sits in the centre of ArtLab’s reception
INFORMATION
For more information, visit the Gucci website
Wallpaper* Newsletter + Free Download
For a free digital copy of August Wallpaper*, celebrating Creative America, sign up today to receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories
-
‘Hedonistic and avant-garde’: Rabanne’s Julian Dossena on the legacy of the chainmail 1969 bag
Paco Rabanne’s 1969 chainmail handbag encapsulates the late designer’s futuristic, space-age style. Current creative director Julien Dossena tells Wallpaper* about the bag’s particular pleasures
By Jack Moss Published
-
Postcard from Paris: Olympic fever takes over the streets
On the eve of the opening ceremony of Paris 2024, our correspondent shares her views from the streets of the capital about how the event is impacting the urban landscape.
By Minako Norimatsu Published
-
The Mercury Prize nominees for 2024 have been revealed
Charli XCX, The Last Dinner Party and Beth Gibbons are amongst this year's nominees
By Charlotte Gunn Published
-
‘Things are not what they seem’: Unpacking the S/S 2025 menswear shows
Wallpaper* fashion features editor Jack Moss explores the trends and takeaways from this season’s menswear shows, from an embrace of ‘irrational clothing’ to couture-level craft and eclectic new takes on tailoring
By Jack Moss Published
-
Revisiting the showstopping runway sets of men’s fashion week
As Men’s Fashion Week S/S 2025 draws to a close, Wallpaper* picks the season’s most transporting runway sets, from giant cats at Dior Men to a ‘fairytale ravescape’ at Prada
By Jack Moss Published
-
Gucci Beauty’s first lipstick by Sabato De Sarno is the perfect shade of deep red
Gucci Beauty’s Rouge à Lèvres Mat in Rosso Ancora made its debut at the Cruise 2025 show at London’s Tate Modern in make-up looks by Lucia Pieroni
By Hannah Tindle Published
-
Gucci filled Tate Modern’s Tanks with thousands of plants for its latest Cruise show
Gucci’s Cruise 2025 show, the first by Sabato De Sarno, saw a ‘tapestry’ of plants fill the Herzog & de Meuron-designed Tanks in London’s Tate Modern as a dramatic backdrop to the show
By Jack Moss Published
-
Tennis fashion for serving a style ace this summer
As Wimbledon begins on Monday (1 July 2024), the fashion brands serving up tennis style this summer, from Gucci’s 1970s-inspired capsule collection to a Loewe T-shirt from ‘Challengers’
By Jack Moss Last updated
-
Highlights from the jet-setting Cruise 2025 shows
Our pick of the globe-trotting Cruise 2025 shows, from Dior’s takeover of Drummond Castle, Scotland to Max Mara’s season finale in Venice
By Jack Moss Last updated
-
Cult 1960s boutique Granny Takes A Trip gets a sustainable reboot
Founded on King’s Road in 1966, ‘radically creative’ fashion store Granny Takes A Trip is being reimagined for a new generation. Dal Chodha takes a closer look
By Dal Chodha Published
-
The best fashion moments at Milan Design Week 2024
Scarlett Conlon discovers the moments fashion met design at Salone del Mobile and Milan Design Week 2024, as Loewe, Hermès, Bottega Veneta, Prada and more staged intriguing presentations and launches across the city
By Scarlett Conlon Published