March 22, 2011, MILAN – Gucci is pleased to announce that it is extending its relationship with the equestrian world through a multi-year sponsorship agreement with Edwina Alexander, the world’s current number one female professional show jumper. This new initiative follows Gucci’s decision to return to the world of horse-riding in December 2009, after a 20-year hiatus, when the fashion house assumed the title sponsorship for the Gucci Masters in Paris and also signed a sponsorship agreement with Charlotte Casiraghi for her participation in the Global Championship Tour in both 2010 and 2011.  
 
Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini said, “Charlotte Casiraghi introduced me to Edwina as they often compete as a team in pro-am events. As an avid rider myself, I understand the commitment required to succeed in this sport. I was immediately impressed with Edwina’s passion and dedication, which has allowed her to remain the world’s number one female rider for the last year.” Giannini continued, “We will be honoured to see Edwina competing in Gucci’s colours, especially at next year’s Olympic Games in London.”
 
In this new collaboration, Australian-born Edwina Alexander will compete wearing an exclusive Gucci equestrian wardrobe, including clothing and accessories, specially designed for her by Frida Giannini. Her first outing in Gucci colours was at the Global Championship Tour (CGT) in Doha on March 17th (see attached photo). Edwina Alexander will continue to compete throughout the year in a series of 5* events around the world as well as the GCT Tour, which this year offers 7 million euros in prize money, over ten events, and the World Cup final in Leipzig in April.   
 
Edwina Alexander said, “I am particularly proud to be starting this new collaboration with Gucci in its 90th anniversary year. I have been riding since I was 8 years old and now, after years of hard work, what was once a childhood aspiration has become a reality. Gucci embodies the excellence that I strive to achieve in my own endeavours and I would like to express my gratitude to Frida Giannini for her personal support as I prepare for my biggest challenge – the 2012 Olympics.”

Gucci has long been associated with and inspired by the sporting glamour of the equestrian world. Various symbols – from the horsebit to the striped girth strap – have become iconic symbols since Guccio Gucci first appropriated them in his designs. Charlotte Casiraghi’s grandmother Princess Grace of Monaco also holds a special place in Gucci’s storied past, having been the inspiration for the Flora pattern. One of Gucci’s most memorable designs, this captivating print was first created specifically for a Gucci scarf that Aldo Gucci gifted the Princess in 1966. This one of a kind gift went on to inspire countless other Gucci products, including Giannini’s first major accessories collection in 2004.   
 
Today, thanks to Fridas Giannini’s creative direction that uniquely marries past, present, and future, Gucci’s equestrian legacy breathes new life with special designs for Edwina Alexander and Charlotte Casiraghi. The riding wardrobe Giannini has created for Alexander is highly technical but luxurious and features distinctive bearings of the House’s own heritage, including the green-red-green web as well as the Gucci Crest and the finest of materials.  
 
This December, Gucci will once again be the title sponsor of the Paris Masters, where both Edwina Alexander and Charlotte Casiraghi are expected to participate.
 
Founded in Florence in 1921, Gucci is one of the world’s leading luxury fashion brands. With a renowned reputation for quality and Italian craftsmanship, Gucci designs, manufactures and distributes highly desirable products such as leather goods (handbags, small leather goods, and luggage), shoes, ready-to-wear, silks, timepieces and fine jewellery. Eyewear and fragrances are manufactured and distributed under license by global industry leaders in these two sectors. Gucci products are sold exclusively through a network of directly operated boutiques (317 DOS as of December 2010) and a small number of selected department and specialty stores. For more information about Gucci, please visit www.gucci.com