Gucci has just announced the creation of a special collection, 8-8-2008 Limited Edition, using the opportunity to contribute to the Summer Olympics in China, so as to increase its brand awareness in label-conscious Asia.

In total, Gucci has produced 8 accessories, conceived by Gucci’s creative director, Frida Giannini, each inspired by competitive sports. The entire line plays a numbers game, since the Olympics will be held on 8-8-1008. (eight is the lucky number in Chinese culture).

For all eight accessories, the color red permeates the collection. “Not only does red evoke happiness and celebration, two emotions that couldn’t be more appropriate to describe the excitement brought by the international sport games, but it also happens to be a very fashionable color for 2008,” Giannini said.

“A noteworthy product in this collection is the 8-8-2008 I-Gucci watch ($1,415), the company’s first digital timepiece, boasts a black dial, steel frame and a clean digital face with a red and green logo commemorating the year 2008 on the back. The exterior of its red rubber strap is engraved with the Gucci logo, while the interior has been engrossed with Gucci’s iconic GG pattern. The timepiece allows the wearer to select a dedicated Beijing time zone code on the display too (source).”

The “8-8-2008 Limited Edition” collection includes other accessories such as a unique bicycle ($3,420) with bold red double GG leather details, and some collectable items such as a luxurious Mahjong ($3,150) set covered in red La Pelle Guccissima leather, and, to pay homage to China, the country’s iconic panda animal offered as a soft leather teddy bear for $1,050.

Also included in the collection are two pieces of luggage in “La Pelle Guccissima” (a sturdy leather duffle for $2,795 and a $995 soft leather messenger bag with Gucci’s iconic green-and-red web on the shoulder strap) ; sports shoes ($660), for both men and women, articulated in a fresh patchwork of suede, patent leather and gold trim and a $445 necklace inspired by military tags, in sterling silver.

The I-Gucci watch will be offered worldwide but all other accessories of this special collection will be sold exclusively in Hong Kong and mainland China.

There was a waiting list a few months back and there are still some restrictions on when you can purchase them and how many you can get.

18 kt yellow gold, black enamel and the dramatic bamboo print make this bracelet a stunning addition to any accessories collection.

Available on saksfifthavenue for $6,600! Source Luxist

Bring on the pollutants and harmful toxins—these Diddo Velema, Gucci and Louis Vuitton collaborative gas-masks are going to make fashionistas want to inhale stuff that’ll kill them.

The high-fashioned monogrammed, and diamond encrusted headwear was debuted by Velema at the 2008 Luxury Show in Bucharest, Romania, and seem to be reserved for the filthy-rich hypochondriacs. Via dvice

Black shiny python skin, a slouchy shape and over sized silver Gucci hardware, gives this purse a distinctively 80′s feel.

A uniquely small top handle, appears more decorative than functional, while a long detachable shoulder strap seems to be the likely way you would carry it.

Gucci Hysteria Python Bag…. $3,990 !

Gucci, the flagship brand of French luxury group PPR, is the world’s most coveted luxury brand according to a global luxury brands survey by The Nielsen Company.

In the latest survey, one in five global consumers said they would choose to buy Gucci (over any other luxury brand) if money was no option, making the Italian fashion brand that was revived by Tom Ford in the 1990’s the most coveted and aspirational luxury brand in the world today.

Chanel and Calvin Klein tied for second place in Nielsen’s 48-country global online survey that was conducted in November 2007.

Since several weeks the Gucci commercial for the ‘Gucci by Gucci’ perfume is broadcasted again on the French and other European TV.