The Harness Boots are an equestrian-inspired boot style designed by Alessandro Michele for Gucci and featured in the Spring/Summer 2023 "Twinsburg" collection. The boots combine leather riding influences with metal components, featuring a distinctive harness detail on the side and metal-capped square toes with the signature Interlocking G branding. With a retail price of approximately $2,000 USD, the Harness Boots represent Michele's final collection before leaving Gucci and exemplify his approach of merging traditional equestrian aesthetics with contemporary design elements.
The boots are made from supple black leather with thick brass hardware and feature construction details including pull tabs, lock-stitched panels, and leather sole. The design has been characterized as both equestrian and avant-garde, reflecting Michele's distinctive aesthetic sensibility.
The Harness Boots incorporate equestrian influences through their leather construction and functional hardware elements. The harness detail on the side of the boot serves as the focal point of the design, bringing what has been described as subversion to the traditional equestrian aesthetic. The metal cap on the square toe features Gucci's signature Interlocking G branding, while the harness ring includes additional scripture detailing.
The boots feature metal-capped square toes that add a distinctive visual element to the silhouette. The hardware is constructed from thick brass, providing both durability and aesthetic weight. Over time, the metal components and leather develop patina, contributing to the boots' evolving appearance.
The Harness Boots are constructed with several distinctive features that contribute to their functionality and aesthetic. Pull tabs are positioned on either side of the boot to facilitate wear. Lock-stitched panels appear on both the front and back of the boots, adding an extra layer of paneled leather to the heel and vamp areas.
The boots are made in Italy using supple black leather. The leather used in the Harness Boots has been noted as notably thick compared to other Gucci footwear products, contributing to the boots' durability and structure. The leather stacking adds to the visual aesthetic of the design.
The construction includes a leather sole with a low heel measuring 43mm in height. The construction approach has been rated relative to Goodyear welted standards, with the leather sole demonstrating durability in use. The thick brass hardware and sturdy metal toe contribute to the overall construction quality.
The Harness Boots were featured in Alessandro Michele's SS23 "Twinsburg" show, which would be his final collection as Creative Director for Gucci. The show itself was notable for its concept: Michele presented the collection on 68 sets of identical twins. The innovative presentation only became apparent at the end of the show when a screen displaying portraits of the models was raised to reveal a mirror runway, exactly duplicating the other runway look for look.
The "Twinsburg" collection drew its name from the concept of twins and represented a distinctive moment in Gucci's recent fashion history. The Harness Boots served as one of the footwear options in this collection, embodying the equestrian-meets-contemporary aesthetic that characterized Michele's tenure at Gucci.
The Gucci Harness Boots retail for approximately £1,660 GBP, equivalent to $2,000 USD. They are manufactured in Italy as part of Gucci's leather goods and footwear production. The boots were released as part of the Spring/Summer 2023 collection.
"Go Horseback Riding With Gucci's $2K USD Harness Boots". Hypebeast. February 2023.
"Review: Gucci Harness Boots". Patina Project. April 2024.
"Gucci: Ready-To-Wear SS23". 10 Magazine. 2023.
"Why Gucci's Twins Show Will Go Down in Fashion History". AnOther. 2023.