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To celebrate Gucci's 90th anniversary, the luxury fashion house will open the Gucci Museo inside Florence's Palazzo della Mercanzia at the Piazza Signoria this Wednesdsay. The three-story 18,500 square foot exhibition space features a permanent archive exhibition alongside contemporary art installations, which are sponsored by the Pinault Foundation. Also on-site: an "icon store," a Rizzoli bookstore, a Gucci Caffe—serving 100% organic local foods—and gift shop, which, frankly, sounds pretty spectacular:
A gift shop will offer the chance to purchase exclusive collectible items including iPhone and iPad cases, scented candles, bookmarks, totes, postcards, 3D Signoria pop-up cards, leather postcards, luxury stationery and Carand’Ache crayons and chocolates all with the Gucci Museo trademark.
Exterior of the Palazzo della Mercanzia, courtesy Gucci
“Ever since my first visit to the archive when I joined Gucci nine years ago, I have felt a deep commitment to the House’s legacy and have wanted to expose the rich archive in celebration of the remarkable narrative behind so many of our iconic products and motifs," said creative director Frida Giannini in a statement.
"As Gucci turns 90 this year, I felt it was the right moment to inaugurate our own space, where hidden treasures would be open to public viewing for the first time. In this way the Gucci Museo will both conserve and celebrate the most significant moments in the history of the house, providing an official account of its origins, evolution and cultural influence.”
The ground floor exhibition space will be dedicated to travel, with rooms filled with trunks, suitcases, accessories, and other items created for Gucci customers in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. Did you know: it was his early years working as a porter at London's Savoy Hotel that inspired Guccio Gucci to create his very first luggage collections?
Gucci Museo's Flora World exhibit, click to enlarge
On the museum's first floor, visitors will find other brand themes such as "Flora World," an entire exhibition dedicated to handbags (including super-cult archive pieces), eveningwear and red carpet gowns, and a "Precious" section filled with rare Gucci pieces and jeweled clutches. These sit alongside the Pinault-supported Contemporary Art Space as well as a video and film installation screening movies Gucci partnere with the Martin Scorsese Film Foundation to restore.
Gucci Museo's Logomania floor, click to enlarge
The second floor of the museum is dedicated to Logomania—and it's all about the double-G monogram. There's also a section dedicated to "Lifestyle and Sport" showcasing iconic Gucci pieces from the sporting and leisure worlds.
The Gucci Museo will hold a private VIP grand opening celebration tonight, but will open to the general public on Wednesday. Admission is six euros, and 50% of the proceeds from ticket sales will go to the City of Florence fund dedicated to preserving the city's art.
· Gucci Museo [Official Site]
· Palazzo della Mercanzia [Official Site]
· All Gucci coverage [Racked]