Celebrating 90 years!

I’m trying to take advantage of my maternity leave by seeing as many of the galleries and museums that I haven’t seen yet in Florence.   Matteo also seems to sleep much better when I am out and about than when we are in the peace and quiet of home so last week I took myself (and Matteo) along to see the new Gucci Museum located in gorgeous Piazza Signoria, the heart of the historical center of Florence.

A year of events in celebration of Gucci’s 90th Anniversary culminated with the opening of the GUCCI MUSEO in the Palazzo della Mercanzia which used to house the Gucci head office.  Along with the museum, there is also an icon shop, bookshop, cafe/restaurant and gift shop selling beautiful leather ipad cases and bookmarks, t-shirts, stationary and tote bags, all monogrammed with the GUCCI MUSEO trademark logo.

I haven’t eaten at the cafe yet but am planning to go with my sister when she visits me next so will fill you in once I have been. (hint hint Toni!!!)

There are iPads placed along a reading table available for guests to use while enjoying their caffe.

The bookshop houses books on art, design, fashion design and illustration while the icon store hosts unique editions from the exclusive Icon Collection including bags such as the New Jackie and the New Bamboo. There is also the classic mocassin and the Flora scarf, all designed especially for the museum.

I was so impressed with the exhibition and the way the museum has been designed.  It really is such a beautiful space that has been cleverly  restored with mood setting lighting and there are even sound effects such as horses galloping and a tennis match in the sport room.  I had no idea that the Gucci logo had graced so many products from picnic baskets to gorgeous saddlery and even a car!

The museum is set out over 2 floors and at the entrance of each themed room, there is a small collectors postcard that explains the room and theme on display.  The first exhibition space, on the ground floor is the Travel/Viaggio theme which shows the beautifully crafted luggage trunks, suitcases and travel accessories fr0m the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s & 80’s.  These ‘Valigeria e Articoli da Viaggio’ actually defined Guccio Gucci’s first collections having himself been inspired by the luggage laden clientele arriving at London’s Savoy Hotel where he worked as a porter in his early years.

Handbags a thread of design and artisanal excellence that recollects historic handbag models, true cult objects still sought after today.

The first floor has eight separate spaces showing Evening, Borsetteria/Handbags, Mondo Flora/Flora World, Precious Jewellery as well as a contemporary art space.  Having studied fashion, I loved the evening wear on display.  Exquisitely crafted gowns worn by Hollywood starlets to the Cannes Film Festival and the Academy Awards.  They are not displayed behind glass so you could get close enough to touch the beautiful fabrics and admire the expert tailoring.

Precious room displays unique clutches and rare valuables.

Flora World the eternal motif that over time has spurred multiple interpretations on a range of items.

 

Logomania is a space chronicling the evolution of the double G monogram, the timeless graphic sign that has become an emblem of Made in Italy.

The second floor shows Sport, Lifetstyle themes that complete the museum journey with an ode to the House’s iconic symbols and products that have been inspired by the world of sport and leisure.

Entry costs just 6 euro which is a very small price to pay to view such an impressive archive of one of the world’s most influential fashion design houses.  50% of each ticket sale benefits a fund to help the City of Florence preserve and restore the city’s signature art treasures.