This prestigious Italian master of international fashion design had an exclusive conversation with Excellencies magazine in which he talked about his career, his esthetic secrets and his success in this field.

The onsets of the Gucci family in the complex realm of business are traced in Italy' Florence in 1905, especially in the field of footwear. The artist stresses the role played by his grandfather, Guccio Gucci, as maker of leather saddles and other accessories for horse riders. Later on and in a sped-up way, the family business began to thrive and eventually branched out into the making of suitcases and trunks that were mostly sold to American customers from the firm.

"My father Aldo was the mastermind of the company's expansion scheme when he opened a second store in Rome and others in Milan, Paris and London," Mr. Gucci says. "Then in 1953, he set out to cross the Atlantic to open a store in New York, on 58th Street, pretty near 5th Avenue. By 1950, we were among the top exporters of made-in-Italy items to the U.S."

"The classical products that marked that particular time," he goes on to say, "were our best-known horse-bit-strapped moccasins, that were worn by boldface names from politics and show biz. Another coveted item at the time was the famous bamboo-strap purse. Both articles are now in display at the Modern Art Metropolitan Museum of New York."

Particularly inspired in nature and the arts, Giorgio Gucci's collections rub elbows with the world's finest trademarks. Asked about the reasons that have helped him become a successful entrepreneur, this is what Mr. Gucci had to say, "the desire to offer top-quality designs and products." Getting a word in edgeways here might seem a little difficult, but we must add this creator has managed to masterfully harmonize elegance, fanciness and high quality in just one item, all that knocked together for today's women.

Up to par with fashion trends and always hooked on ethnic behavioral patterns, the Gucci collections have made a splash in Europe, chiefly in Italy and Spain, as well as in Japan and the United States, among many other countries. In Mr. Gucci's esthetic universe, Cuba is a key player. The artist explains why, "The briskness and happiness of the Cuban people, and above all, their friendliness toward me after 15 years of operations on the island nation, have given me plenty of reasons to open a store here that sells world-class items. This can be construed as an effort to raise tourist interest in the Cuban market."

Top celebrities from the big screen, politics and nobility, Americans and Europeans alike, have put on Gucci garments. Sophia Loren, Gina Lollobrigida, Liz Taylor and Richard Burton, Audrey Herpbum, Yul Briner, Jackie Kennedy, Soraya, the Spanish monarchs and Grace of Monaco have been some of them.

As we write these lines, Giorgio Gucci is getting set to attend the upcoming International Habano Festival. In relation to that particular event, Mr. Gucci has sponsored the wardrobe of ladies from Habanos S.A. Marketing Department and Organizing Committee. On the other hand, he showered us with suggestions as to what to wear and what practical accessories to bring during the festival's top social functions. "For men, a small purse to carry their favorite cigars and other accessories, like cutters, lighters and ashtrays. For ladies, a foulard or tee-shirt that reminds them of that particular event or the year it took place. We're also suggesting the introduction of artistic exhibits from a multitude of generic arts. That's very good to break the one-theme humdrum."