Following on from Virginie Viard’s Cruise collection for Chanel – and debut solo for the house – Alessandro Michele took the torch for the next mid-season show. Heading to Rome to present Gucci’s offering, here’s what went down at last night’s show. 

THE INVITE WAS AN ANTIQUE BOOK

Guests were invited to Alessandro Michele’s fave bookshop, Antica Libreria Cascianelli, which you’ll likely recognise from his Instagram stories. Guests were there given an antique book that contained the invite, along with a quote from historian and archaeologist Paul Veyne. It read: “Only pagan antiquity awakened my desire, because it was the world of before, because it was an abolished world.” The quote appeared again later at the show venue on a giant banner.

THE SHOW’S LOCATION WAS A ROMAN MUSEUM

Taking over the Capitoline Museum, the runway snaked through the various rooms of the museum among its artefacts. For Michele, it was a dream come true, as a place he has visited since he was a child. “I came to this museum with my father because I didn’t like football and amusement parks,” he told British Vogue after the show. “I was obsessed with archaeology and that hasn’t changed.”

IT WAS LIT-ERALLY LIT…

...by the show’s guests – like Elton John, Harry Styles, and A$AP Rocky – who were each handed torches upon arrival to shine on the runway/models/show setting as they pleased. Shadow puppets anyone?

THERE WAS A STRONG PRO-CHOICE MESSAGE

In a time where reproductive rights are still being challenged everywhere from Northern Ireland to Alabama, Michele wanted to show his support via the Cruise collection. With jackets printed with the 70s feminist slogan ‘MY BODY, MY CHOICE’, glittering ovaries stitched on to dresses, and the date abortion was legalised in Italy (22.05.1978) also featured, the designer aimed to spotlight the important pro-choice movement. ‘But this is fashion!’ some naysayers might scream. Yes, but the Italian house has been funding gender equality worldwide via its Chime for Change programme since 2013. So, have a seat.

(TEMPORARY) FACE TATTOOS ARE IN

A handful of models sashayed in their Gucci garms with face tattoos that read ‘GUCCI’ and ‘ROMA’ courtesy of Dazed contributing beauty editor and Gucci’s global make-up artist Thomas de Kluyver. What better way to rep your hometown than via your face? Lewks to try at home.  

AND... HARRY STYLES AND STEVIE NICKS PERFORMED

Yes, really and we stan! The duo took to the stage at the show’s afterparty and performed some of Nicks’ hits like “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around” and Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide”. There can’t have been a dry eye in the house after that one (sob).