CRUNCH TIME FOR GUCCI

Is the economic downturn finally starting to permeate the luxury market? PPR yesterday announced that sales of Gucci's handbags and watches - it's Double G brand - had dropped by 3.3 per cent in the first three months of this year. On a like-for-like basis Gucci's sales did rise, but the 2.4 per cent increase was lower than predicted - and in a different league from last year's growth of 10.6 per cent. "In the first quarter, our markets have been less favourable, particularly in mature markets," said PPR's finance director Jean Francois Palus, as the figures were revealed.

While the high street has been fighting the credit crunch for months, luxury brands have, until now, remained relatively untouched; PPR's fellow power players, LVMH and Richemont, both recently said their sales were healthy. PPR's sales overall rose by 4.1 per cent. The downturn in mature markets is indicative of bonus cuts and redundancies in the City, The Evening Standard comments.

Source: vogue.co.uk

2 GUCCI INSPIRED DRESSES

I have found 2 dresses from Marks and Spencer Per Una collection that seems to be inspired by a dress from Gucci´s S/S ´08 collection. I think these dresses from M&S are very pretty and very Charlotte-from-SATC. And they are much more reasonably priced than Gucci one. I am thinking about getting one!

The dress at the left is from Gucci. The panel front big flower dress at centre is from M&S and it costs £49.50. The hyacinth border dress at right is also from M&S and it costs £59,50.

GUCCI BY GUCCI

Gucci by Gucci is a chypre floral fragrance. Top note of guava and pear. Heart note of tahitian tiare flower. Base note of musk and honey.

I have found my new favourite perfume! I saw it at the shop yesterday, sprayed it to my left hand and at first I didn´t like it. It was really strong and fruity, just too much! But after half an hour walking in shops, I smelled my wrist again and I really liked it. It smelled musky and exclucive.

I remember reading that Gucci´s Creative Director Frida Giannini said that this scent was masculine but not too masculine for a woman to wear. She was right, it is kind of masculine but in a good way. I find the bottle very attractive also. I think it looks very Gucci-ish, very adult-like. I definitely recommend this parfume but try it before you buy it!

50 ml eau de parfume costs £ 49.00 (725.00 SEK)