Stepping into History

Unveiling Gucci’s spirit of elegance and style, the Gucci Valigeria room illuminates the House’s ever-evolving vision of travel that first began more than a hundred years ago as a small valigeria shop in the Renaissance city of Florence. The immersive room is decorated with Gucci Diamante patterned walls, inviting visitors to freely trace the travel history of the House.

Recognized as pure expressions of Gucci’s creativity and craftsmanship, handbags such as the Bamboo 1947, the Horsebit 1955, and Jackie 1961 have become the House’s most iconic designs that have continuously captured the spirit of the times.

Bridging past and present, the Horsebit 1953 loafer is a nostalgic nod to the pastime of the House’s initial clientele. First revealed in 1953, which is also the same year that the House opened their first boutique in America, the loafer symbolizes a new idea of elegance—equal parts sporty, casual, and sensual.

Reflected by the House’s rich heritage and the visionary imagination of each creative director, Gucci’s visual identity has evolved within the fashion world and beyond. The curated room showcases just how much the House’s runway shows and advertising campaigns have sparked important cultural conversations throughout the world, embracing the creative vision that encapsulates Gucci designs.

From a family-run valigeria shop to a full-fledged fashion House, Gucci offers a glimpse into the cultural memories of different decades—from the carefree styles of the 1960s to the tailored perfection of the 1970s. These initial collections paved the way for creative directors, resulting in looks that are still etched within the collective fashion memory. Taken directly from the Gucci Archive and displayed together, these looks transform into a physical timeline of design, inviting visitors to witness and experience every Gucci era.

Gucci’s silk craftsmanship is a journey across decades—shown most recognizably perhaps in the different iterations of the 90x90 silk scarf with all its varying designs, inflections, and codes. One of the most celebrated designs stems from the artistry of set designer and illustrator Vittorio Accornero, who in 1966 created the perennial Gucci Flora design. This initial pattern made way for other iconic drawings to be printed on silk—showcasing a constellation of whimsical imagery inspired by the jungle, the woods, and the sea.