Are Gucci and Frida Giannini set to launch a couture collection?

We’re in the thick of Paris Haute Couture fashion week right now, so it comes as no surprise that gossip is rife. The latest rumour is that Gucci’s creative director, Frida Giannini is working on a debut couture collection for the Italian fashion house. To the best of my knowledge Gucci was never a haute couture house unlike most of its Italian and French counterparts, instead making it big when they launched a successful line of handbags mid last century. But before we get too excited, sources tell WDD that Gucci won’t show its couture collection on the runway (after all it would have to be approved by the Chambre de commerce et d’industrie de Paris) instead it would be shown to select clients and sold by an appointment basis. [WWD]