It’s an undeniable fact that Patricia Gucci knows a few things about the intricate process behind creating leather goods. After all, she is the daughter of Aldo Gucci, whose name is synonymous with transforming Gucci from a family business into a global powerhouse celebrated for style and high-quality Italian craftsmanship. As a proud Gucci connoisseur, you can imagine my glee when the opportunity arose to speak with Patricia about her story, from working closely with her father during Gucci’s rise to power to her career as a designer for her first brand.

Patricia grew up learning about the family business at a young age, with Aldo taking her under his wing and introducing her to the backbone of the business. “I grew up during the Gucci heydays of the 1970s and ‘80s, and my father would take me to the factory on the outskirts of Florence. During those trips, I remember seeing row after row of artisans at work in their white smocks,” she says.

What stood out to her was the level of detail and care given to making a product that would withstand the test of time. Patricia became a fixture in the family business, learning all she could from the best, which helped shape her perspective as the brand expanded abroad.

Patricia Gucci on Her Days with Gucci and the Inspiration Behind Aviteur.

In her twenties, she became a fashion coordinator at Gucci America in New York, where she was responsible for producing fashion events and productions for the brand. Reflecting on her first fashion show, Patricia recalled, “I remember it perfectly. It was held at the Pierre Hotel, and the pressure of pulling together the models, the clothes, the music, and everything else culminated in perfect synchronicity. It was nerve-wracking, but ultimately, a huge success. Seeing my father beaming in the front row and leading the applause meant the world to me.” Eventually, she became Gucci’s brand ambassador in the United States and Asia before becoming the first woman appointed to Gucci’s Board of Directors.

This played an integral role in shaping her future as a designer, now creating her legacy with a brand that is wholly hers. The idea for Aviteur—derived from the Latin word “avis,” meaning bird, and the French word “voyageur,” meaning traveler—started in 2017 when Patricia observed the current state of travel. “I was in the departure lounge at Heathrow and noticed that while people had nice handbags, their carry-ons were mostly black, generic, or covered in logos. That’s when the idea for Aviteur came to me.”

Patricia on How Aviteur Seeks to Challenge the Current Trends in Travel with Fashionable and Functional Luggage That’s for Keeps.

Drawing from her past experiences, Patricia wanted to evoke the spirit of the 1950s and 1960s—the height of airline glamour and luxury. During that time, flying was a prestigious event reserved for the relatively wealthy. The rattan suitcase became a popular accessory, often seen on the arms of wealthy women boarding flights in pillbox hats, oversized sunglasses, and stylish coats.

After an 18-month research period, Patricia began producing a prototype of a handmade case that encapsulated her vision of luxury luggage, featuring clean lines, a distinctive weave pattern, and a prism clasp in Lucite. “I liked the idea of a buttonless, translucent handle emerging from the case like a shaft of light. After several prototypes and people insisting it couldn’t be done, we ended up with a patented design described by Forbes Magazine as the chicest carry-on in the world,” she explains.

With Aviteur, Patricia sought to recapture the craftsmanship standards she was exposed to growing up. “My aim with Aviteur is for people to experience that same level of quality, with collectibles to be enjoyed for a lifetime and handed down to the next generation.” As a designer, she emphasizes that she is not one to be pigeonholed, especially when it comes to building a great collection. One example of this, she explains, is the Carry-on’s shape. “One day, I was stuck in traffic on Piccadilly Circus, on the phone with my production manager at the factory, trying to describe the rounded corners of the Carry-on.”

The Carry-on’s distinctive curvature, contributing to its sleek and elegant design, was inspired by London’s iconic red double-decker bus, which happened to be in front of her at the time. “It had a gradient to it that I was having difficulty describing, and then it dawned on me that the iconic red double-decker bus in front of me had the exact curvature I was trying to convey,” says Patricia. This anecdote proves that inspiration can come from anywhere—even from the back of a bus.

Patricia wanted Aviteur to stand out from the crowd, and this all came down to the finite details. Each limited-edition piece from the line is made by a single artisan from start to finish, similar to how Swiss watchmakers individually work on one timepiece at a time. The process behind leather goods similarly requires an ample amount of time and cannot be rushed, which is why Patricia is proud that her brand doesn’t cut corners. “We don’t believe in hastening the process—not with our craftsmanship nor with our leather. We stay true to the Made in Italy tradition pioneered by my forefathers over a century ago.”

Beyond her family’s influence, Patricia credits her flair for design to traveling and living in culturally diverse cities like New York and London. What sets Aviteur apart is its inside-out branding and the blend of tradition and innovation. Patricia ensured that the brand’s distinction from its competitors is represented by the high-quality materials and components used to create Aviteur’s signature look.

Aviteur thrives as a family business, drawing inspiration from its heritage in high-quality leather goods. However, Patricia also emphasizes the importance of collaboration with like-minded individuals and giving creative minds the space to prosper, which she believes is key to long-term business success.

Aviteur’s latest collection, aptly named Cristallo, combines elegance and functionality through a series of weekender bags, backpacks, and handbags. Crafted from soft, natural calfskin with an artisanal finish, these versatile pieces can be carried over the shoulder, crossbody, or by hand. The handbags also feature Aviteur’s iconic intreccio weave, with both open and zipped internal compartments.

The Cristallo collection is a weekend-ready series that elevates the definition of functional overnight bags to another level.

For more on Aviteur, visit their website, www.aviteur.com and follow them on social media for updates.