Guccio Guccio, inventor of a status-symbol

 

Guccio Gucci was born in Florence in 1881. He went as an immigrant to Paris and then to London, finding a job in exclusive hotels, such as the Savoy in London. He was impressed with the luxurious luggage of the sophisticated guests he saw. When he returned to Florence, a city distinguished for a very old tradition of high-quality materials and skilled artisans, he established a shop in 1921 that sold fine leather goods with classic styling, employing skilled workers in basic Florentine leather crafts.

In few years, the brand obtained an international echo, attracting a rich and elegant customer base which appreciated its bags, suitcases, gloves, shoes and belts.

The company made handbags of cotton canvas rather than leather during World War II as a result of material shortages. In this period the bamboo-bag was created, becoming one of the icons of the House of Gucci.

With the opening of the shops in New York and Milan, Gucci established its name as a leader in the fashion business. After Guccioโ€™s death in 1953, his three sons, Aldo, Vasco and Rodolfo expanded the companyโ€™s horizons. Film stars and jet-set travellers to Italy during the 1950s and 1960s brought their glamour to Florence, turning Gucciโ€™s merchandise into international status symbols. Movie stars posed in Gucciโ€™s clothing, accessories, and footwear for lifestyle magazines around the world, contributing to the companyโ€™s growing reputation.

This year, 2011, Gucci celebrates the 90th anniversary, culminating with the official public opening of the GUCCI MUSEO inside the historic Palazzo della Mercanzia (the Merchantsโ€™ Palace) located in Florenceโ€™s Piazza Signoria.

A permanent exhibition from its rich and culturally significant archive, preserved and amplified throughout the years, is juxtaposed with contemporary art installations supported by the Pinault Foundation. ย The ticket is 6 euros and the halfย  price will go to a fund for the restoration of Florentine works of art.