Tribute to Luxury

Gucci celebrates 90  years with a museum exhibition

Italian leather maker Guccio Gucci couldn't have known it then, but when he opened the doors to his luxury goods business in 1921, he was beginning a brand that would become a staple for everyone from the Park Ave. grande dame to hip-hop's hottest.

So how did the iconic label celebrate the milestone of turning 90 this year? By commissioning an entire museum dedicated to its own rich history, of course.

The Gucci Group celebrated the public opening of the Gucci Museo inside the historic Palazzo della Mercanzie in Florence's Piazza Signoria, the former space of one of Gucci's main design studios.

The tri-level Gucci museum houses an expansive archive of iconic pieces from Gucci's travel, accessories, and clothing collections. Notables include Guccio Gucci's career-defining travel collection "Valigeria e Articoli da Viaggio," red carpet dresses worn by today's starlets, and throwback items owned by Jacqueline  Kennedy Onassis and Sophia Loren.

The permanent exhibition will also include contemporary art installations, a gift shop, cafe, and a bookstore.

With such a major retrospective at 90, we can't wait to see what they'll do when they reach the century mark.

Gucci Museo, Piazza della Signoria; 10 Firenze

Tip from US:  Let us remind you about a certain swank option for lodging while in Florence - flashback to Lofty Ambitions.