In the 1920’s a bellboy in a chique hotel started designing beautiful, handmade pieces of leather luggage and travel bags for the chic and wealthy in Florence, italy. Grace Kelly and Jacky Kennedy loved his fine collection of bags. In the course of the 20th century the bellboy, Guccio Gucci, had created an empire with his family business in Firenze (Florence). The beautiful pieces of travel bags, suitcases and the clothing collections designed by Gucci, from the twenties to the present day, can be admired in the Gucci museum in Firenze. 

Gucci is merely one of the inspirational success stories that are set in the bellissima città di moda Firenze. Small scale family businesses in fine leather and wool have grown out to become fashion empires on which the sun doesn’t set. Sergio Rossi is another good example of this. The beautiful quality and design of its leather shoes has made Sergio Rossi an international success. Armani, Acquazzura, Patrizia Pepe, Pucci, and Salvatore Ferragamo are other examples of beautiful, internationally renowned brands that all started in the city of Firenze.

The Via de’ Tornabuoni is the most beautiful and chique street in the city center of Firenze, where you will find the boutiques of Hermès, Pucci, Tiffany’s, Bulgari, Dior and many more. La Piazza della Reppubblica is the historic square of the city and a perfect starting point to explore the boutiques in the small side streets Via Roma and Via Calziuoli, for example Fratelli Roselli, Liu Jo, Pollini, Luisa via Roma, La Rinascente. You may also find little family run shops where the shoes, bags and clothes are still being handmade. 

Even though, Firenze is a perfect place for a shopping trip, you shouldn’t miss the cultural and architectural beauty of the city. Il Duomo, il Battistero, Piazza Signorina, Piazzale Michelangelo and il Giardino di Boboli are beautiful, breathtaking locations to explore in the city. And you have to try all the delicious dolci, icecream and pizza that Firenze has to offer. The beautiful boutiques, architecture and food make Firenze one of my favorite Italian cities 💙. 

For moda, daily luxury and beautiful places, you can follow me on www.nickybianca.com