A Window To Gucci's Glorious Past

As part of its 100th-anniversary celebration, the Italian luxury brand recently opened its century-old archive to the public at the refurbished, Gucci-owned Palazzo Settimanni in Florence

For a hundred years, Gucci has showcased a unique Italian sense of style and panache, its legendary craftsmanship and artistry, while pushing the boundaries of high fashion. From the Bamboo bag of the late 1940s to the horse-bit loafer and the Flora floral scarf of the 1950s, the Jackie bag, the Gucci belt with the GG buckle, the Soho Disco bag, and the more recent Sylvie Purse and Ace Sneakers, Gucci’s iconic creations capture the fashion zeitgeist of its time while breaking new grounds in style. If they were to be all listed chronologically, it would provide a fascinating insight into how high fashion has evolved over the last 100 years.

As of July this year, however, visitors to Florence have been able to observe this fashion evolution in person. For the first time, Gucci has thrown open its vast archives to the public as part of its 100-year birthday celebration. The archive is housed in Palazzo Settimanni, a Renaissance-era building in the Santo Spirito, a vibrant neighbourhood of the city where artisans and artists have had their workshops for centuries. Acquired by Gucci in 1953, the building had, over the years, served as a factory, a workshop, and a showroom before being turned into the now splendid museum.