By David Stone
An ugly esthetic crept south of Houston, filling up a wall on Lafayette Street, just below Prince. What the hell kind of branding is this?
Have idiots taken over Madison Avenue?
What were they trying to prove?
You’re walking into the heart of Soho, and people are popping in and out of offbeat shops all along Lafayette. The area’s in transition. Some old Soho lingers amid the gentrification.
A old-style diner with menus slapped across the front… Cracked sidewalks and an outdoor parking lot gobbling up prime real estate.
And then, Gucci goes ugly
“Look at that!”
“What…?”
“Gucci’s got two giant women painted on the wall, and they’ve got their tongues stuck out like a couple of drunken loonies.”
Why would Gucci want to brand themselves like that?
Gucci: “A versatile slang term based on the luxury fashion brand meaning okay/good/great/awesome/fresh/etc. Originally used in the streets but now popularized by the masses. Sometimes abbreviated “gooch” if you’re an expert in its use. To be all Gucci is a wonderful thing indeed.”
The Urban Dictionary
Clearly, it’s a “That was then; this is now” thing.
And sort of stupid.
More from the Roosevelt Island Daily News
- Neighborhood Notes: Weekly Changes and Community Moments Across Roosevelt Island and BeyondNeighborhood notes on weekly changes and community moments across Roosevelt Island and neighboring areas, including emergency response, community events, new developments, and local reflections.
- Queens Neighborhood Developments Through a Roosevelt Island LensDiscover recent Queens neighborhood developments through a Roosevelt Island perspective—including local safety, rezoning, community responses, and campaign updates.
- How Community Connections Shape Daily Life Between Roosevelt Island and QueensDiscover how community connections shape daily life between Roosevelt Island and Queens, from public safety to local events, culture, business openings, and neighborhood milestones.
- June on Roosevelt Island: Crowds, Celebration, and Quiet MomentsJune on Roosevelt Island brings city crowds, neighborhood celebrations, and reflective moments that shape our community life. Discover how these rhythms impact daily life this June.
- A Week Rooted in Community: Daily Life and Neighbor Connections on Roosevelt IslandThis week, daily life and neighbor connections on Roosevelt Island come into focus with stories of parks, transit, public safety, and community rhythms shaping the summer.
Emergency Without Urgency
When government invokes the word “emergency,” normal process changes. Timelines accelerate. Environmental review can narrow. Procurement pathways can shift.
2 COMMENTS