Every historic reference of the new Gucci MAC80

The sneaker world, we know, is made up of daily releases and novelties always around the corner. If until recently it referred to a well-circumscribed slice of the market, today the typical sneaker buyer is transversal, as much in tastes as in needs and desires to wear on the foot. Even luxury brands, for example, have become fixture presences in this sector, bringing their world of values and aesthetics into an industry where it is important to be able to stand out as much in silhouette as in all the other features that are part of a shoe. Gucci's new MAC80s are an example of the above, the perfect compromise between the brand's unmistakable style and everything one would expect from a sneaker today. A unique mix, made so especially by the small references hidden inside the shoe, between direct references to the brand's history to others that relate directly to the world of sneakers. But always with a touch of innovation: in addition to being available in boutiques, in fact, it will be possible to buy the new MAC80s online through Klarna, the world's leading payment and shopping service that offers customers smarter and more flexible, as well as secure, shopping experiences to get what they want right away and either payin full up to 30 days later, or to split the cost into 3 monthly installments without interest.

The logo 

Gucci's famous logo, the two interlaced 'G's, was created in the late 1960s by Aldo Gucci, and has ever since played a significant role in luxury fashion as much as in pop culture. In the 1980s, the Gucci logo became a status symbol for hip-hop subcultures, and an icon used by famous American designer Dapper Dan. These underground movements recognised the aura of prestige and exclusivity associated with the Gucci brand, adopting the logo as as a challenge to mainstream culture. Dapper Dan's daring use of the Gucci logo, creating customised luxury clothes, inspired a generation of artists, musicians and fashionistas. His unique and bold creations, which incorporated the Gucci logo in combination with other iconic elements of Black Culture, became a form of authenticity and self expression. It was during this time that Gucci released its first sneaker, the Tennis 1984, thus gaining huge success within the hip-hop world.

A historic silhouette

From the basketball courts of 1970s New York to the present day, the low-top sneaker has gone from being a must-have for athletes to a fad for sneakerheads all around the world. Initially designed with a minimalist approach, during the 1980s the low-top married the maximalist look of the era, adding details and bright colours to a silhouette that has since survived the years and fashions. Even today, you can still see it revisited by some of the world's most famous brands, as in the case of the MAC80, with which Gucci has given its interpretation of a shoe that has made history in sport and beyond. 

The Maison's signature colours

When Guccio Gucci opened his workshop, it was his meticulous attention to detail in Italian stirrups that inspired the idea for the brand's famous green and red interlaced stripe. A combination inspired by the symbols of Italian aristocracy, in particular the red ribbon worn by the nobility and the typical green of horse saddles, recalling the equestrian world. In the 1940s, due to wars in Europe, trading complications made leather increasingly difficult to obtain. Gucci was therefore forced to use alternative materials, including canvas, to create its bags. These bags, embellished with distinctive red and green accents, became a style icon. In 1964, Gucci introduced a version of its famous Jackie bag with the distinctive red-green-green stripe, creating a distinctive signature. This stripe has been used in numerous collaborations, indicating extraordinary luxury. One example is the partnership with Cadillac in 1979, in which the Gucci logo appeared on luxury cars. Another example is the iconic Aqua Riva in 2010, where the green-red-green stripe adorned the famous yacht.

The choice of materials

Rubber sole, fabric inserts but above all a leather upper. The choice of materials in the Gucci MAC80 recalls the history of the brand and its founder, Guccio Gucci. It was Guccio himself, in 1921, who opened a small leather goods company followed by a small shop in Florence. Thanks to the craftsmanship of the Tuscan artisans, Guccio's fame grew rapidly, thus attracting clients from all around the world coming to Florence just to buy his bags, trunks, gloves, belts and above all shoes. Today, that expertise and tradition have found a new incarnation, modernised in a shoe that combines Gucci's heritage with contemporary details. Even the worn-out look that characterises the sneakers transforms the silhouette into a unique style, through a specific ageing process that gives the MAC80s a worn-in effect that makes them even more iconic.

You can now pay on gucci.com using Klarna. Klarna is a leading global payment and shopping service, offering customers smarter and more flexible shopping experiences. Over the years, Klarna has become the partner of some of the world's most iconic luxury brands, changing the way a new generation of customers shop, getting what they want right away and giving the end consumer the choice to make their payment up to 30 days after purchase or split it into three monthly installments interest-free and securely and guaranteed.