Gucci was established in Florence, Italy, as a modest family saddlery and leather-goods manufacturer in 1921. Since then it has developed almost out of all recognition to become one of the world’s premier and most recognisable brand names. From the relatively humble beginnings of its iconic luxury goods sector in the 1940s and 1950s to its current ranking as a world leader in innovative fashion design, the Gucci name has come to encompass style, elegance, exclusivity and, more often than not, great expense.