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Welcome to Grail of the Week, where we break down one currently-for-sale piece of fashion history.
What Is It: Gucci printed silk shirt
Where Does It Come From: Gucci Spring-Summer 2001 collection
Who Designed It: Tom Ford
Why It's Grail Status Today: Since Alessandro Michele took the reigns at Gucci early last year, he's been a darling of the fashion industry. Critics and customers alike have praised his retro-gazing aesthetic that plays up the Italian brand's iconic pieces (horsebit loafers, leathergoods, GG logo belts). But 15 years ago, it was ultimate luxury menswear designer Tom Ford who was the golden boy of the fashion world, turning out head-turning pieces that were tasteful in design but over-the-top when it came to sex appeal—just check out the era's ads. And that POV definitely applied to menswear. Just take a look at Tom Ford's pre-Tom Ford (the brand that is) Japanese-inspired Spring-Summer 2001 collection. The lineup's floral patterns, easy trousers, and streamlined sneakers are eerily prescient of what guys are buying up right now.
And though the silk shirt you see above didn't grace the runway, a high-fashion silk noragi style featuring the same flower print did. But we know what you're thinking: the Tom Ford backstory is cool and all, but how can I wear a silk shirt as a regular guy in 2016? Well, the good news is that Alessandro Michele is partly responsible for bringing back printed silk shirts—just check out Gucci's Spring-Summer 2016 collection. He's joined by design heavyweights like Hedi Slimane, formerly of Saint Laurent, and Dolce & Gabbana in ushering the louche shirt back into guys' wardrobes—so at least you know you won't be alone in your latest swerve.
At a pre-loved price of $240 over on Grailed, you can afford to wear a statement like this shirt in a not-so-precious kind of way. Now, that doesn't mean rolling up to the club with every button undone and matching silk trousers, but it could mean rocking one with slim trousers and a pair of loafers—a pair of Gucci's, perhaps?
