Guccio Gucci was born in 1881 in northern Italy and initially created a saddle shop in 1906 featuring leather crafted goods. Guccio had worked for some time at the Hotel Savoy in London. While there he had learned much about leather craftsmanship, and he bought those design sensibilities and love of quality into his business, only hiring those with master craftsmanship skills.

The shop soon become known for its exclusive and luxurious leather goods; with equestrian inspired leather goods featuring bits and stirrups attracting an international audience. As travel by horses became a thing of the past, Guccio transitioned his line into meeting the needs of the day and in 1921, the iconic House of Gucci was created, a leather goods and fashion clothing company.

The Gucci label soon proved so successful that in 1938 Guccio was able to open a boutique in Rome. In 1947, one of the most recognized and iconic staples from the Gucci brand would premiere. Facing a shortage of standard materials due to World War II and the Italian Fascist Dictatorship present at that time, Guccio put his imagination and creativity to work and invented the bamboo handle handbag. The stylish bamboo handle handbag is still sold today. Gucci would also experiment with hemp, linen and other more available materials to make up for the shortage of standard materials.

By the early 1950s, Gucci shoes would create suede shoes and the signature green-red-green web material. This web was an immediately identifiable sign of Gucci and was designed from a saddle girth, helping the brand establish more international recognition. Soon, Gucci had veered into creating fashionable clothing for men and women including men's neckties. The hand sewn silk neckties are still in fashion and still worn by men everywhere for a professional look. Classic Gucci ties featuring the companies' logo in striped, checkered and solid colors are available as is the one hundred percent leather Gucci tie.

Gucci however, would not live to see some of the biggest successes of his fashion house. Gucci would die in 1953, leaving behind his wife, Aida Calvelli and six children. His four sons: Aldo, Vasco, Ugo and Rodolfo would help their fathers' empire continue to grow. Further expansion came with the opening of stores in Milan, London, Paris, Tokyo, Beverly Hills and Palm Beach. The biggest style icons of the time would also wear Gucci products. Hollywood actress Grace Kelly became known for wearing Gucci silk scarves while first lady Jackie Kennedy started wearing the Gucci shoes handbag which became known as the Jackie O handbag. Audrey Hepburn and Peter Sellers also helped Gucci become a brand associated with Hollywood glamor.