There are certainly perks being the wife of Francois Henri Pinault and being the first to wear Gucci first couture dress should be in the top 5, if not tops the list. Frida Gianini has planned to launch the Gucci Premiere service since the beginning of the year to cater for the growing demand of red carpet walkers on Gucci special creations. The debut dress is a one-shoulder burgundy drape and train, which I think Salma carries very well on the Cannes Film Festival red carpet on the 14th May 2010. The dress was eventually donated and auctioned out for a charity cause at $22,000. About the price it would command should you want to get a similar service from Gucci.

Gucci will not join the lineup of couture houses on the Couture fashion show at this point of time. Most couture houses make losses on this department anyway so why join the crowds if Gucci can already make nice profits and command a brand presence without a couture arm?

By the way, Gucci seems to be reducing its sales lately, including the usual extra 10% at Takashimaya Singapore that is coming the day after tomorrow. It seems like the new management is cleaning up the brand image.

Image is courtesy of PA Photos