The Italian job

FOLLOWING IN THE footsteps of one of the world's most feted designers would fray most people's nerves, but Frida Giannini was too concerned with another event to be worried.

While the fashion media tittle-tattled about the credentials of the relatively unknown designer who took over the Gucci mantle from Tom Ford (who left in 2004), she was busy organising her wedding.

'It was a wonderful time in my life,' says Giannini. 'I designed my own wedding dress - a white silk chiffon and satin dress with hand embroidered crystal work. We honeymooned in Capri, Positano and on some of the islands and I came back recharged, ready for my debut collection for Gucci in Milan.'

That spring/summer 2006 collection, due in Hong Kong stores soon, was scrutinised by the fashion cognoscenti for any lapse in the consistently high standards set by Ford during his 10 years as creative director of Gucci.

The two could hardly be more different. Ford is entering middle age, American, high profile, flamboyant and a darling of the media; Giannini, at 33, is Italian, lower key and, hitherto, a name that didn't register instantly in the international fashion world.

'At first, I was flattered when the company decided to give me the job,' she says. 'I don't think I need to compare my job and the job that was done before under Tom Ford. We're from a different generation and have different personalities. My ambition is to be remembered for inventing a new era in Gucci. I think it can work very well to link the clothes and accessories, so they're totally complementary. That is the challenge for me.'