{"id":2471,"date":"2021-07-16T14:37:10","date_gmt":"2021-07-16T12:37:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/magazine.lineapelle-fair.it\/?p=2471"},"modified":"2021-07-20T10:46:32","modified_gmt":"2021-07-20T08:46:32","slug":"about-heritage-gucci-and-ferragamos-archives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magazine.lineapelle-fair.it\/en\/trend-en\/about-heritage-gucci-and-ferragamos-archives\/","title":{"rendered":"About heritage: Gucci and Ferragamo\u2019s Archives"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cWe do not collect and classify objects from the past because of nostalgia: we rather do it because the style of objects changes over time\u201d – stated Valerie Steele (Fashion Institute of Technology). We also do it \u201cto keep a tangible cultural heritage alive, at present and for the future as well\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

To begin with, let us focus on Lady D. <\/strong>In the last few days, Gucci <\/strong>decided to revive, by recreating its own style, a leather tote bag<\/strong>, with bamboo handles, which dates to 1991. A few peculiarities (exactly so): it used to be one of the bags Lady Diana, Princess of Wales, liked the best. This is just a simple example to show that, right now, a certain type of luxury goes hand in hand with its own tradition.<\/p>\n

To be more precise, it is a long-effect mood, as emphasized right here<\/a>. Yet it is also about a specific and strategic choice to safeguard and protect own history, therefore turning it into a fully cultural factor. Here are two projects which glaringly (and much more than that) evidence what we have been talking about so far: the Gucci Archive <\/strong>and the Ferragamo Museum<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Gucci\u2019s Archive: what it is about<\/strong><\/h4>\n

A historic building <\/strong>(Palazzo Settimanni) dating back to the sixteenth century<\/strong>: placed in Caldaie Street, Florence<\/strong>, this five-floor house, which extends across 2,800 square metres<\/strong>, enshrines the brand\u2019s 100-year-old history<\/strong>. Such are the details about Gucci\u2019s new archive, designed by creative director Alessandro Michele <\/strong>and set up together with Valerie Steele<\/strong>, chief curator, and director of the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology<\/strong> in New York.<\/p>\n

The archive, for the time being at least, is not going to be open to visitors: it will be home to Gucci Education<\/strong>, a professional training project. Palazzo Settimanni was bought by Gucci in 1953. At that time, they renovated the building to make it operational and adapt it to their first Florentine factory.<\/p>\n

Gucci\u2019s Archive: the way it is and why <\/strong><\/h4>\n

The basement hosts Radura <\/strong>(fine porcelain and household items), Herbarium <\/strong>(writing desk articles) and Maison de L\u2019Amour <\/strong>(leisure items). The ground floor entirely hosts accessories<\/strong>: here vintage bags play a star role in the Swan exhibiting hall. Furthermore, small leather goods and vintage belts (on display in the Prato di Ganimede <\/strong>Hall), vintage bags and suitcases (in the 1921 Rifondazione <\/strong>hall). Bags are enshrined in glass and steel display cabinets. Let us move on to the first floor, fully dedicated to pr\u00eat-\u00e0-porter, footwear and textile accessories. Shoes are catalogued based on their debut year and season.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe do not<\/strong> collect and classify objects from the past because of nostalgia<\/strong>: we rather do it because the style of objects changes over time – commented Valerie Steele while speaking to WWD -. Such connection with time leads Gucci brand, which rests on a 100-year-old history, to design and develop some archives to keep a tangible cultural heritage alive<\/strong>, at present and for the future as well\u201d.<\/p>\n

Ferragamo\u2019s Archive is (also) online<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Salvatore Ferragamo <\/strong>has put online his historic archive. In fact, visitors and followers may get access to it and make a real virtual immersion <\/strong>into its spaces and collections. Salvatore Ferragamo personally wanted to create an archive, subsequently supervised, and progressively built up by his daughter Fiamma. At present, Fondazione Ferragamo<\/strong> currently oversees the management of the archive: over the years, they have been striving to further develop it and make it as well-stocked as well-organized.<\/p>\n

Documents, patents, and products, which record Salvatore Ferragamo\u2019s history and his inheritance, are stored here. The virtual tour<\/a> is available in Italian and English, on Ferragamo.com website, in the area dedicated to the Museum. Visitors can refer to high-definition images, info points, videos, and supplementary information boxes.<\/p>\n

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