One of the most famous names in today's fashion and leather wear industry, Guccio Gucci started off as a lift attendant in London's Savoy hotel before making a meteoric rise in the fashion world. GUCCI has himself etched on watches, bags, footwear and clothes. Since 1921 he has been a name to contend with in fashion circles when he opened his first store speacialising in leather and saddlery goods. His success prompted him to open his second store in 1938, this time in the Via Condotti in Rome. Using material from linen to jute to leather, bamboo of course became his signature style when he introduced the bamboo-handle bag in 1947. With numerous stores across the globe is the foremost Italian designer in America.