Discovering the Gucci Museum in Florence, Italy

The Gucci Museum in Florence was inaugurated in 2011 on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the eponymous fashion house. The museum is located in the historic Palazzo della Mercanzia (Palace of the Merchandise) in Piazza della Signoria.

The Palazzo della Mercanzia was built in 1359 and restored in 1905. It once housed the Court that served to resolve disputes between merchants and members of various Arts guilds in Florence, as evidenced by the presence of coats of arms of major and minor guilds on the palace’s facade.

The Gucci Museum’s grand opening celebration was held in none other than the Hall of the Five Hundred, as indicated by Dan Brown in his novel Inferno.

The museum provides the history of the Florentine fashion house. It contains a permanent exhibition of the iconic pieces of the brand, such as bags, clothes, and accessories, among many others. In addition to a series of contemporary art installations, it contains a library, a cafeteria, and a small boutique.

Legendary pieces of the history of the fashion house comprise the horsebit loafer, the handbag with a bamboo handle, and the jackie handbag.

The Gucci brand was created in Florence in 1921. Iit is interesting that its founder, Guccio Gucci, while working as a porter at the Savoy Hotel in London, became inspired to create the first collection of luggage.

For many years, Guccio Gucci worked in his leather shop in Florence, which was increasing in popularity. In 1938, Gucci expanded his business to Rome and then to New York.

The Gucci brand always refer to the scope equestrian: the clamp and bracket followed by a green-red-green ribbon inspired by the underbelly of the saddle.

For decades, Gucci served as an international fashion symbol for Made in Italy.

Several celebrities have chosen this brand and have thereby helped to make it unmistakable, including Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, Jackie Kennedy, and Maria Callas.