Gucci and Bumble Pair Up at SXSW to Support Women Entrepreneurs 

On the chilly first night of South by Southwest, guests converged on Sammie’s Italian restaurant in downtown Austin for a cocktail party hosted by Gucci and Bumble. The event celebrated Gucci’s arrival in the Austin market and of women innovators. Specifically, DivInc, a Texas-based non-profit that works to achieve greater social and economic equality through entrepreneurship, that Bumble and Gucci were supporting through the CHIME FOR CHANGE campaign for gender equality.

“We’re two companies that have the same values, and are excited to be in Austin, and are just excited about—can I say ‘badass women’?” Selby Drummond, Bumble’s Chief Brand Officer, said, checking with her co-host President and CEO of Gucci Americas, Susan Chokachi, who laughed and nodded. “We’re excited about all the different badass women!”

Inside, Sammie’s is a throwback to a classic, red-sauce Italian joint—all red leather banquettes and moody lighting and old photos on the wall. In front of a wall of wine bottles, Austin band Sir Woman performed while guests in Gucci sweaters and jackets and dresses milled around sipped on ruby red Manhattans and cloudy Martinis. At least two women wore versions of Gwyneth Paltrow’s iconic red velvet Gucci suit from the 1996 MTV Video Music Awards. In a corner, Elle Fanning and Drummond took selfies in cowboy hats, and by the stage, illustrator Angelica Hicks and blogger Vanessa Hong chatted over the music. In a booth, political commentator Symone Sanders sipped on a cocktail in a CHIME FOR CHANGE sweater.

“It’s been a really nice night,” Chokachi said near the end of the evening, over the thunder of rambunctious conversation. “I met a lot of new people, and at the same time, it feels like a family.”