Ariana Papademetropoulos brings her Hollywood magic to Gucci

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A LOVE STORY PRESENTED BY GUCCI

It’s almost impossible that someone can sleep so soundly on a bed-shaped float while being gently rocked by the sea waves and under a sunflower yellow blanket, but Ariana Papademetropoulos has made it possible. This is just one of the many phantasms of what she creates. The overlapping imagery of her large-scale paintings - a horse in the living room, a face in a crystal, and a tear-filled eye as the flower’s bud - creates Hollywood-branded psychedelia that flirts with the illusion and energy of a coming-of-age movie, the one where the characters realize their worth and drive on the highway along the coast, wearing a drunk smile. No wonder she explores shifting realities and parallel worlds in a love story presented by Gucci, sealing her wonder-like touch.

Ariana Papademetropoulos Gucci
A Love Story Presented by Gucci by Ariana Papademetropoulos

Gucci has collaborated with the Los Angeles-based visual artist to create a limited-edition zine called “A Love Story Presented by Gucci”, the Maison’s gift for Valentine’s Day. The mini-publication winks at the minting, trade paperbacks sold in dollar stores with its low-tech graphic novella and leverages storytelling to cast the spell of love. On the front cover, Ariana herself appears as a tiny fairy nestled inside Gucci’s LOVE bag, shaped like a flower’s petals. She rests her folded arms on the edge of the bag to foreshadow her search for a love her own size, a reminder that love conquers all differences.

The zine imagines a rom-com, fantasy script that tells the story of two star-crossed lovers, a fairy and a giant who live in peace and harmony for a very long time. The fairy loves to read stories in his ears and lets him carry her in his purse for a stroll. Albeit a giant, he is great and strong, tender and sweet, and enjoys blowing giant bubbles for her to float on and see the world through her eyes. But, just like in the movies, all things come to an end.


Ariana Papademetropoulos Gucci
A Love Story Presented by Gucci by Ariana Papademetropoulos
Ariana Papademetropoulos Gucci
A Love Story Presented by Gucci by Ariana Papademetropoulos


One day, the giant nearly steps on the maiden.

“No! Don’t take another step. It will be the death of me,” screams Ariana.

“Oh my sweet, I could not. It was a foggy day, and I was up in the thick dense clouds. Please forgive me,” replies the giant.

“I know it’s not your fault, but perhaps it’s time I grow up and meet the people my size,” says Ariana who’s looking up to the giant in her glittering, blue dress.

The giant sheds a tear. “My little lady, I will miss you, but I understand. Let me blow you the largest bubble that you can take wherever your heart desires.”

Ariana leaves to search for a love her own size, kisses the giant one last time, and ventures out into the Land of Tiny Creatures where she thinks she belongs.

A Love Story Presented by Gucci by Ariana Papademetropoulos
Ariana Papademetropoulos Gucci
A Love Story Presented by Gucci by Ariana Papademetropoulos
Ariana Papademetropoulos Gucci
A Love Story Presented by Gucci by Ariana Papademetropoulos
Ariana Papademetropoulos Gucci
A Love Story Presented by Gucci by Ariana Papademetropoulos


In this land, Gucci’s Valentine’s Day 2022 collection, designed by Creative Director Alessandro Michele, takes the center stage, from the newly designed geometrical and multi-faceted heart-shaped chain bags to the classic popcorn cartons, all with the word “LOVE” printed atop as the leitmotif of the selection. A whimsical mood is reflected on Ace sneakers, slide sandals, and silk scarves enriched with GG monogram canvas, along with a selection of pink Padlock and Petite Marmont bags accented with tone-on-tone strawberry and cherry details.

Ariana wonders in awe in the land of bliss and love, among its beautiful people wearing the most precious garments she has ever seen. She meets the prince of the kingdom who asks for her hand in marriage, but as she prepares to say “I do”, she remembers her gentle giant, the instant regret stabbing her heart. She storms out of the land, flies back to the giant and gives him the most heartfelt and passionate kiss. And as their lips touch, the tiny fairy starts to grow and the great giant starts to shrink until they can look each other in the eye. Cueing in an upbeat love song before the movie credits, the fairy and giant declare their eternal love, the kind that speaks of Ariana and Gucci’s reverence for dreamlike, hyperreal scenes, drenched in 60s surrealist, pop style.

The zine is available online at lovestory.gucci.com. A limited print version is also given out at the Gucci Garden bookstore in Florence and the Gucci Wooster in NYC from the 10th of February, in time for Valentine’s Day.

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