Florence has a long and beautiful history in the fashion industry. Many well-known Italian fashion houses can be found here.
In 1951 Florence hosted the first ever international runway in Italy. This runway was the first-time international journalists and buyers were welcomed for an Italian fashion show. Thanks to this and the following early runways, the mark “Made in Italy” became globally recognised.
Head to Via Tornabuoni for a truly luxury experience. This beautiful street is the Florence version of Rodeo drive. Luxury brands such as Burberry, Balenciaga, Gucci and Prada line the street, with perfectly manicured display windows for you to peruse.
One of Florence’s most famous exports has to be fashion brand Gucci. The highest internationally selling Italian fashion brand, Gucci was founded in Florence in 1921. Initially they sold quality leather goods such as shoes and handbags. The Second World War saw the company shift to canvas as leather was in short supply. It was then that the now iconic ‘Double G’ logo and Gucci stripe were introduced.
Head to the Gucci Museo and immerse yourself in wonderful displays of Gucci craftsmanship and history. Arranged not by date but thematically, allowing you to explore eclectic pieces from across the decade. Cars, necklaces, surfboards, trunks. Is there anything Gucci hasn’t done?
Pitti Immagine
Pitti Immagine is a collection of fashion events held in Florence each year. They are some of the premier fashion events in Italy and provide Italian designers an opportunity to have their work seen by international audiences. The events cover men’s wear, children’s wear, yarn collection and taste (in relation to food and culture research).
Pitti Immagine has become one of the premier fashion events in Italy!
But Florence’s fashion history well predates fashion shows and luxury brands.
Eleonora di Toledo
Elenora di Toledo was the Grand Duchess of Florence from 1539, and her influences can still be seen today. Wandering down Ponte Vecchio, the glistening windows of jewelry stores beckon you. It’s said that Eleonora loved jewelry so much that she had all the butchers removed from the bridge. She replaced them with goldsmiths so that there would be more beautiful jewels for her to see.
Today, when you walk along Ponte Vecchio you’ll be blinded by beautiful bling. Keep an eye out for the bridges last remaining work room. Here, stunning pieces are brought to life waiting for you to discover them. Speak with artisan makers, and if you’re staying a while, have a custom piece created for you
Florentines are not a flashy bunch, and you won’t find the same flashiness here as you might in Milan or Rome. That said, their style is immaculate, and a sense of fashion runs deep in their veins.
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