Gucci £1,300 umbrella mocked in China as 'not waterproof'

Thu 19 May 2022 10.30 EDT. An umbrella created as part of a collaboration between Gucci and Adidas has met with a storm of criticism in China, where social media users have derided its inability to keep its owner dry. Called a "Sun umbrella" on Gucci's website, the piece from the upcoming Adidas x Gucci collection comes with a warning that it is "Not waterproof and is meant for sun protection or decorative use". In comments to Beijing magazine Caijing, Gucci said the item was "Not recommended for use as an everyday umbrella" and it has "Good collector's value and is suitable for use as a daily accessory". On Gucci's UK website, there is a waiting list for the umbrella, where it is priced at a slightly cheaper £870. Gucci continues to be a superstar of the high-end fashion industry. Analysts Daxue Consulting judge Gucci to be the fourth most popular luxury brand in the country, after Chanel, Dior and Hermès. The Chinese market has been key to Gucci's exponential growth since Alessandro Michele became the creative director in 2015.