Classic meets cinema for modern masculinity as Gucci casts multihyphenate Pietro Castellito for their campaign
Gucci’s Horsebit 1953 loafer has a new leading man: Italian actor and filmmaker Pietro Castellitto, starring in a campaign that celebrates modern masculinity with a plot twist of personality, originality, and unpretentious sophistication. Far from a costume piece, this campaign positions the Horsebit loafer as a true character actor—shifting effortlessly from classic to contemporary without losing its signature style.
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Pietro Castellitto is a name causing ripples in Italian cinema, and not just for his acting chops. As the son of acclaimed director Sergio Castellitto and novelist Margaret Mazzantini, he’s brought his narrative to the screen, writing and directing 2020’s The Predators, a dark comedy that won him Italy’s David di Donatello award. And with his recent project, 2023’s Enea which was selected to compete for the Golden Lion at the 80th Venice International Film Festival, Pietro is proving he’s just getting started. After all, Gucci’s a maison that’s always had an eye for casting those who make strong reports.
In De Sarno’s hands, the Horsebit loafer plays a role that’s hard to ignore. First introduced in 1953, this iconic shoe was Gucci’s answer to masculine elegance, borrowing from the equestrian world with its double ring and bar motif—a detail that has aged better than most trends. In fact, it’s safe to say this loafer has the appeal of a cinematic classic that never quite leaves the silver screen. Equal parts cool and cultivated, the loafer is styled for today’s everyman who’s as comfortable in an art studio as he is at a premiere.
The campaign’s set, a scene brimming with books, music, and art, frames Castellitto in a series of looks that play up the Horsebit’s versatility. He flows from tailored trousers to off-duty denim with the kind of charm that’s more substance than style. The Horsebit loafer stays center stage, with its brass hardware catching the light in just the right way—reminding us that even the finest details can leave the most enhanced impression. It’s a piece that wears its history proudly, but one that’s all too comfortable taking on new characters.
As the latest in Gucci’s cast of brand faces—joining the likes of Paul Mescal, Xiao Zhan, and Kingsley Ben-Adir—Castellitto brings a new angle to the the maison’s evolving definition of masculinity. De Sarno’s casting choice is less about following tradition and more about exploring the untold. And with Castellitto as Gucci’s newest muse, the Horsebit loafer’s role feels anything but dated—it’s a scene-stealer with enough range to play in any era.
In the Philippines, the Horsebit 1953 Loafer is available in Greenbelt 4, Shangri-La Plaza, The Shoppes at Solaire and The Mall, Nustar.
Photos: GUCCI PH
