Suede is produced from the underside of animal hide, giving it a soft, velvety surface. It is lighter and more flexible than full-grain leather while retaining many of its durable qualities.

Founded by Guccio Gucci in Florence in 1921, Gucci began as an artisanal luggage house inspired partly by the refined travel culture he encountered while working at London's Savoy Hotel. The brand developed a strong tradition of Italian leather craftsmanship and later became known for distinctive codes including the Horsebit, bamboo, Flora motif and GG monogram. Its history spans leather goods, ready-to-wear, footwear, jewellery and accessories, with its Florentine origins remaining central to the house's identity.