Ryzenberg On: Happy 90th Birthday Gucci and Gucci Museo Gala — Florence

Tanti Auguri Gucci! And of course this fabulous fete was celebrated in style!

On the last day of Fashion Week in Milan, the uber fashion elite, A-listers and a who’s-who of socialites flocked to Florence for the opening of the Gucci Museo in the heart of the city.

The party featured a tour of the museum and an intimate dinner at the Salone dei 500 at the Palazzo Vecchio complete with a performance by none other than Blondie (yup, Debbie Harry included). Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini, also the brainchild of this masterpiece, danced and sang along every song! (an important addendum — Ms. Giannini was clad in Gucci S/S 2012 from head to toe, just days after showing in Milan.)

So when visiting this Renaissance mecca, be sure to grab some gelato, check the grandeur of the Botticelli paintings at the Uffizi, the David at the Accademia and take a stroll to the Piazza della Signoria to the Gucci Museum.

The former palace houses some unforgettable collections, red carpet looks, the evolution of the iconic ‘Gs’ pattern and even the 1979 Cadillac Seville Aldo Gucci designed.

You know I will — and I hope to stay at the Ferragamo Hotel while visiting this citta magnifica, because when in Florence…..

It’s lovely to see how this Florentine company emerged from its humble beginnings (Guccio Gucci was a busboy at the Savoy in London and was inspired by Louis Vuitton and Goyard luggage) to one of the most luxurious and recognized brands worldwide. It is now part of the PPR Group headed by Francois Henry Pinault, (better known as Señor Salma Hayek) and had some of the most innovative and remembered campaigns of 20th Century fashion (can we say Tom Ford circa mid 1990s?)  

Its many revivals have sure paid off, and now we are looking for many, many more reasons to raise our glasses. 

Alla salute cin cin!

Ryzenberg On is signing off

Photos: Vogue Italia and Gucci Tumblr page