Bode: For the Handcrafted Nostalgia
If the heart of Michele’s Gucci was its sense of personal history—garments that felt like they were found in a fantastical attic—then Bode is its most direct spiritual successor. Designer Emily Adams Bode Aujla built her brand on one-of-a-kind pieces
crafted from antique textiles, from Victorian quilts to 1940s grain sacks. Each collection tells a story, not of a distant historical figure, but of a person, a family, or a place. The silhouettes are often simple and workwear-inspired, letting the fabric's past life shine. This isn’t about recreating a specific decade; it’s about wearing a tangible piece of history. For the Michele fan who loved the idea of a garment with a soul, Bode offers the most authentic, heartfelt version of that dream.
S.S. Daley: For the Theatrical Romance
Steven Stokey-Daley captures the bookish, theatrical, and queer-coded romanticism that pulsed through Michele’s menswear. Drawing on the archetypes of British public schools and aristocratic life, S.S. Daley subverts them with a gentle, poetic hand. Think wide-leg trousers that recall 1930s Oxford aesthetes, billowy poet shirts, and floral motifs that feel pulled from a forgotten garden. Like Michele, Daley is a master storyteller, using his collections to explore themes of class, literature, and identity. Where Gucci’s stage was a grand Roman opera, S.S. Daley’s is an intimate, slightly melancholic play. It’s the perfect brand for those who were drawn to the narrative depth and gentle masculinity of Michele's vision.
Erdem: For the Darkly Opulent Fantasy
While Michele’s Gucci often felt joyful and eclectic, it also had a vein of gothic, almost haunted, beauty. Erdem Moralıoğlu has been mining this territory for years. His collections are a masterclass in dark floral prints, decaying lace, and structured silhouettes that evoke a sense of faded grandeur. Erdem’s woman is a character from a historical novel—a tragic aristocrat, a determined pioneer, a mysterious artist. The brand shares Gucci's love for a strong narrative and a deep dive into historical archives, but its mood is more formal, more serious, and steeped in a distinctly British sense of moody romance. If you loved the rich, cinematic drama of a Michele runway, Erdem delivers it with breathtaking sophistication.
Dries Van Noten: For the Intellectual Mix-Master
Before Michele made clashing prints and opulent textiles a mainstream phenomenon, there was Dries Van Noten. The Belgian master, who recently announced his retirement, is the forefather of cerebral, artful maximalism. For decades, he has been creating collections that are a testament to the beauty of the unexpected combination: digital prints with antique jacquards, masculine tailoring with feminine florals, utilitarian shapes with couture-level embroidery. A Dries Van Noten look is never just one thing; it’s a conversation between colors, textures, and cultural references. This is less about vintage pastiche and more about a deeply sophisticated, adult way of dressing with intelligence and joy. For the Michele acolyte who has graduated to a more refined, less literal form of eclecticism, Dries remains the undisputed king.
Zimmermann: For the Sun-Drenched Bohemian
Remember those spectacular Gucci resort collections set in sun-bleached locales, filled with ruffled dresses and a sense of optimistic escape? Australian brand Zimmermann bottles that exact feeling. Known for its hyper-feminine, unapologetically pretty aesthetic, Zimmermann specializes in intricate lace, voluminous frills, and vibrant floral prints that are perfect for a permanent vacation mindset. While it may lack the intellectual, historical layers of Michele’s work, it wholeheartedly embraces the joyful, decorative side of maximalism. It’s less about geek-chic and more about pure, unadulterated bohemian glamour. If your favorite part of the Michele era was the sheer, frothy fantasy of it all, Zimmermann is your happy place.
Etro: For the Worldly, Paisley Traveler
Etro was doing the eclectic, bohemian-luxe thing long before it became a dominant trend. Founded as a textile company in 1968, the Italian house has its roots in rich fabrics and, most famously, the paisley motif. Under new creative director Marco De Vincenzo, the brand is re-energizing its core identity, leaning into its heritage of pattern, color, and a sense of worldly travel. The look is a rich tapestry of influences, from folkloric prints to lush velvets and artisanal embroidery. It captures the spirit of a well-traveled collector who picks up beautiful things from around the globe—a core component of the Michele-Gucci DNA. Etro offers a vision of maximalism that feels grounded in tradition and authentic Italian craftsmanship.
