Although this season’s Milan Fashion Week will not see the presence of GUCCI and Alesandro Michele, this creative genius recently brought a major announcement, causing the fashion world to shift its focus slightly away from Fashion Week. Last night, Alessandro Michele officially announced a collaboration series with his friend and brand ambassador, the British singer-songwriter Harry Styles, called GUCCI HA HA HA.
The brand stated that the Gucci HA HA HA series represents the final destination of a creative journey between two people, the fruitful result of the friendship between GUCCI creative director Alessandro Michele and British singer-songwriter and actor Harry Styles. Unlike typical collaborations, this series originated entirely from friendship, catalyzing a vibrant exchange of ideas between two unique creative forces, hoping to connect different perspectives through the brilliant sparks of creativity that emerge.
The series is named GUCCI HA HA HA, derived from the initials “H” and “A” of the names “Harry” and “Alessandro,” while also representing the onomatopoeia of “laughter.” The two friends have been exchanging text messages to stay in touch for many years, often ending their conversations with “hahaha,” marking this seemingly ordinary communication as a sign of the journeys, experiences, and even moments of silence shared between the two old friends. Together, they playfully designed the clothing label for the GUCCI HA HA HA series, adding a cheeky teddy bear next to the words HA HA HA. From Alessandro’s debut collection at GUCCI to Harry Styles releasing his first solo album, the two have embarked on a creative journey rooted in their deep friendship, as Alessandro Michele shared, “This creates a unique organic entity.”
Alessandro Michele confessed: “Harry has a unique sense of fashion. His way of dressing is different from the standard taste and common sense of the public, as well as the monotonous trends. This ability and insight made me realize that fashion styling is a catalyst for differences and power… The idea of our collaboration originated from a phone call, when I suggested working with him to create a ‘dream wardrobe’, combining countless whimsical ideas to create a creative imagination full of childlike fun. In the end, our creation incorporated many different aesthetic elements.”
Regarding this series, the blueprint is based on the popular culture and bohemian culture of the 1970s, and the gentlemanly image shaped by men’s suits of the past, to make a big transformation. Coats, overcoats, trousers, shirts, and accessories will appear, showing a new way of emotional expression, exploring an alternative elegant style for men through clothing. Through the image created by styling, layers, and series, it highlights the duo’s preference for the historical significance behind it.
The creative dialogue between the two, becomes the aesthetic effect of this series, Alessandro Michele and Harry Styles attempt to break the complexity of fashion collections with a free-spirited rule, hoping to derive a sustainable sense of ease. Therefore, Gucci HA HA HA brings together the creative attitudes and characteristics of the two artists, such as British tailoring elements transforming into romantic embellishments; sublime craftsmanship presented in tailoring structures, details, and pearl buttons on shirts; even including printed pajamas and bowling shirts not commonly seen in traditional gentlemen’s fashion.
Clearly, playfulness has become the core attitude of GUCCI HA HA HA, so the series of items can be said to project multiple different GUCCI characters, such as men in well-fitted suits, boys in waterproof denim jackets, and men in unique colored velvet suits or Scottish pleated skirts adorned with leather belts.
The series is a dialogue, a game, expressing the friendship of two people, and each item embodies the continuous exchange of two creativities, forming a set of creative rules that release the constraints of the Gucci HA HA HA series.
Data and images source: Courtesy of GUCCI
