Gucci Museum Florence
If you’re anything like me, you’ve got some pretty tatty luggage. Perhaps a backpack as dirty and bruised as you’ve at times felt after carrying it? Maybe a roller case with worn-down wheels from all the times the terrain was a little rough but you couldn’t be bothered to pick it up? Or possibly a faithful old duffel bag that’s had a few minor surgeries over the years after injuries suffered from excess weight?
Whether we go only an annual holidays, short business trips, or indefinite world exploration, we’ve probably chosen our bags based on convenience and other such boring practicalities. But this wasn’t always the way. There was a time when travel was more exclusive than today, when the jetsetters of the world were making a statement not just by doing it but how they did it. And for them, their luggage was all about style – it was a sign to other travellers, to airline staff, to boat stewards and concierges all around the world that they were someone.
Guccio Gucci recognised the status and the art in the elegant cases of the guests who came through The Savoy in London, where he worked as a lift boy as a teenager. When he established his famous fashion house in Florence, it was this glamour of travel that he first emulated. On display at the city’s Gucci Museum are some of the luggage cases and bags from over the years. Stylish, elegant, quality, (and damn expensive!), they make you slightly envious of the kind of travel that could possibly justify them. I can’t quite imagine turning up to a backpackers hostel with my leather Gucci toiletries case.
The Florence fashion house
In the same Florentine square as the palace of the city’s long-ruling Medici family, is the house of fashion. The Gucci Museum is designed with an elegance befitting the label. Well-dressed and modelesque attendants wait in every room to answer any questions (and, presumably, to stop you touching anything!). On entering, you’re given a little cardboard folder with your ticket and a map and in each of the museum’s rooms there is a little bit of information on a card that you can take and add to your folder. Even the toilets, with their granite and marble, have a certain air of grace.
Florence is famous for its art and these exhibits are just another form. The evening dresses worn by Salma Hayek, Kate Beckinsale and Naomi Watts; the handbags with the famous double G emblem; gold and silver jewellery; and the floral patterns of the sixties can all be admired for their artistic beauty without a connection to the practical or the monetary.
Having said that, there are a few items that perhaps take things too far. The Gucci picnic set, for instance? The Gucci goggles and flippers? Or maybe the Gucci surfboard? If you thought it would seem strange enough going on holiday with some of that Gucci luggage, just imagine the looks you’ll get at the hostel when you turn up with that!
* You can head here to see the official website for the Gucci Museum in Florence.
**More things to do in Tuscany**
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Turtle, like the name suggests, likes to take things slowly. Luckily that's one of the best ways to see the world - and that's exactly what he's doing at the moment.
This is the website of travel writer, Michael Turtle. After working in broadcast journalism for a decade in Australia, Michael left Sydney to travel the world indefinitely and write about the places, people and experiences he discovers. This isn't a diary - these are real stories from the world.
11 Responses
Oh man, I would be way too nervous to take it out the store – let alone travel with it! Too precious to be thrown on carousels and dark trunks.
A Montrealer Abroad recently posted..A Weekend in Quebec City
That’s the thing with having expensive items. You don’t want to use them in case they get broken. It’s why I never understand people with $3000 watches, for example!
Great and lovely post. Awesom pictures.
I would love to see and touch all of those items. They are so elegant!
Antonio recently posted..green smoke electronic cigarettes
I don’t know what the security guards would think if you tried to touch them!
lol my luggage looks NOWHERE near these, finally I’ve recently decided to allow my small trolley to go retired, it’s literally falling into pieces, it followed me around the world and really couldn’t handle the gentle touch of baggage handlers in the airports anymore.
Angela recently posted..Photo Essay: A night stroll around Beirut
Oh, so sad to hear. RIP small trolley. I think it’s sad saying goodbye to luggage sometimes – it’s been on the adventure as much as you have
They’re beautiful but I don’t like to travel with fancy or super expensive luggage – I feel like it’s just inviting theft!
Wanderplex recently posted..Don’t let the weather put a damper on your vacation: 17 ideas for a rainy day
Yeah, good point. You might as well wear a big sign that says ‘I have lots of money, please come and rob me. Oh, and make sure you ask if I’ve got a watch worth stealing too’.
It’s hard to imagine those suitcases in today’s airports with people wearing pjs and sweatpants.
Mary @ Green Global Travel recently posted..INTERVIEW: Paula Deen on Southern Cuisine
Grrrr… such a bugbear of mine. I understand that you want to be comfortable on a flight but there is no excuse for wearing a tracksuit! You’re still in public!