Why Gucci Thrives and Apple Fails

This week on Art of the Brand, Camille and Phillip return from Italy with fresh insights on what timeless brands get right—and why giants like Apple are getting it wrong. From the Grand Tremezzo’s orange towels and “stealable” swag to Gucci’s cinematic risk-taking, they reveal how details, boldness, and taste separate icons from irrelevance. They also unpack Apple’s influencer gifting strategy, the rise of in-house affiliate networks from Sephora and Vogue, and the “paperclip game” as a metaphor for smart scaling. Expect contrarian takes, case studies, and practical lessons every founder can apply.