One of the most daring and recognizable designers in Italy, Emilio Pucci truly built a legacy of his own, standing for color, optimism and delightful prints, as well as a strong belief in the possibility of a better future. Like many Italians who had experienced the horrors of World War II, Pucci approached fashion in a playful and humorous manner throughout his career, making women look stunning while enhancing their natural beauty. His daughter Laudomia Pucci, who lives and works in Florence, recently left fashion’s corporate sphere in order to focus on a more personal project that is close to her heart.
Palazzo Pucci N6 is an incredibly creative platform, as well as a physical space, which I had the chance to visit and fully experience. Emilio Pucci was a visionary talent and it’s undeniable that his daughter has the same gift, looking at culture through an innovative and original lens. Florence has always had a privileged relationship with the fashion world and the textile industry. In fact, it has been a hub for fabric production -and experimentation- since the 12th century, first excelling in wool before developing an expertise with lavish silks and intricate brocades. The House of Pucci belongs to what is sometimes referred to as the ‘Florentine Four’, including the likes of Gucci, Ferragamo and Cavalli. Craft is a notion that cannot, in fact, be separated from Florentine life and identity, two city trademarks Laudomia Pucci celebrates in her own idiosyncratic way.
Chatting to her is a real pleasure, and she instantly makes you feel welcome. Not only is she curious, warm and educated, but she also uses language in a style that is uplifting and thought-provoking. Visitors leave Palazzo Pucci N6 feeling exhilarated and truly elevated. In a context where doom and gloom tend to prevail, Palazzo Pucci N6 plays a fundamental part, reminding us of the joys of learning, as well as the variety of ways through which culture can be envisaged.
Redefining luxury as experiential knowledge
Over the past few years, the overused concept of ‘luxury’ has shifted from the ownership of material goods to something more subtle and fleeting, with a deeply personal streak. This is something Laudomia Pucci perfectly understands, but she still wants to innovate in a city defined by history and traditions: “Florence is a living museum per se, and it already hosts more than 70 of them. What we are creating here is an ever-evolving project that resolutely looks forward while celebrating a glorious past at the same time. Palazzo Pucci N6’s proposition is experiential luxury; a new way to explore and live a personal interpretation of Florence.
The eye has to travel
Emilio Pucci was famous for his bold color sense and incredible prints. Entering the Palazzo Pucci N6 is like experiencing a dream world where artworks, furniture, artisanal expertise and textiles are all intertwined. While the space is visually multilayered, it also comes across as seamless and strangely effortless. As Laudomia Pucci puts it: “The curation of the Palazzo came very intuitively. It draws from my father’s relationship with this place and the depth of his work. It also draws from the broader narrative of Florence and, by extension, Italy itself. The eye here has been shaped by beauty, and the project stands as an acknowledgement of that lineage”.
The importance of privacy
In a voyeuristic world where people tend to overshare, mystery takes on a much deeper meaning. While Palazzo Public N6 is not open to the public, it nevertheless welcomes scholars, students, thinkers and craft experts, as well as figures from the fashion industry. While mass tourism remains one of the city’s realities, Laudomia Pucci wants to take us on a more intimate journey, as well as enchant us with Palazzo Pucci N6: “We imagine that Florence, and its overwhelming art, can also be experienced in a more private way. At Palazzo N6, layers of history meet a contemporary reinterpretation, curated through light and color in unexpected ways, always with an Italian flair”.
An exciting platform for craft and cultural exchange
For Laudomia Pucci, Palazzo Pucci N6 does stand out in Florence, mainly because it offers a unique blend of art, craft, design and fashion, encouraging younger generations to be inventive while educating themselves: “Palazzo Pucci N6 is more than just another Florentine palazzo. Across generations, it
has housed artists and artisans who brought their creativity and craft to life, and it continues to contribute to the cultural life of the city that has shaped it, through an ongoing dialogue with students and local excellence, fostering a living exchange between heritage and contemporary creativity”.
A rubrica by: Philippe Pourhashemi, Fashion critic.
