Gucci, the global luxury brand is 90 years old now which was started as a family leather goods business in Florence by Guccio Gucci. To celebrate the occasion, Gucci opened its first museum in a Florentine palazzo this week. It was a lavish ceremony which was attended by the stars of the fashion world. Ferruccio Ferragamo who heads the brand in his own name, was there and suggested that the luxury brands should collaborate to gain more strength. The new Gucci museum is spread over three floors in the 14th century Palazzo della Mercanzia.
The highlight of the permanent displays in the museum is Gucci’s famed “bamboo” handbags owned by fashion idols Jackie Onassis and Sofia Loren. The basement can make you nostalgic as it houses the Gucci archive which has a large collection of ready-to-wear, accessories and photographs. There are pigskin suitcases, golf club bags and a Cadillac Seville emblazoned with the famous GG initials logo. Among recent creations on display are the evening gowns created by current Gucci designer Frida Giannini for Hollywood stars Hilary Swank and Naomi Watts.
Giannini, who appeared in a black dress with gold lame fringes, was nostalgic and remembered the Gucci handbag her mother used almost every day. She described the museum as a small jewel. Francois Pinault, founder and Chairman of luxury giant PPR has owned Gucci since 2000 and his passion for art is behind this initiative. Gucci has been doing extremely well under the PPR umbrella. Gucci makes up about 60 percent of PPR’s total profits and was the main reason why the group could beat the sales and profit forecasts in the first half of the year.
