Maison · Florence · Est. 1921
Gucci
Italian craft, eclectic vision — from the Horsebit loafer to the GG Marmont, a century of Florentine glamour.
Origin
How the maison began.
Guccio Gucci was born in Florence in 1881 and worked as a porter at the Savoy Hotel in London, where he was mesmerised by the elegance of the guests' luggage. Returning to Italy, he opened a small leather goods and saddlery shop in 1921 on the Via della Vigna Nuova in Florence. The equestrian world — horsebits, stirrups, red and green webbing — became the house's founding vocabulary, and the bamboo-handled bag, invented in 1947 when wartime steel was scarce, became its first global icon.
Atelier
The philosophy of the workshop.
Gucci's design language has always been built on opposites: aristocratic equestrian codes reinterpreted for Hollywood; Florentine craft fused with London clubland references; maximalist prints grounded in impeccable hand-finished construction. Under Alessandro Michele the house embraced what he calls 'romantic intellectualism' — a magpie aesthetic that layers vintage, punk, and Renaissance references into collections that read as deeply personal rather than trend-driven. The atelier in Florence's Via delle Caldaie remains the beating heart: leather is still hand-burnished, bamboo is still steam-bent by artisans, and every GG Marmont bag is stitched with the same saddle-stitch technique used in the 1920s.
Signature Codes
What you are actually buying.
No. 01
The GG Marmont
Named after Guccio Gucci's monogram and the Los Angeles hotel where he kept an apartment, the Marmont is the house's most recognisable contemporary bag. The matelassé chevron leather is quilted in a precise geometric pattern, the double-G hardware is antique-brushed, and the chain strap can be worn crossbody or doubled for the shoulder. It is the bag that made logomania feel intellectual.
No. 02
The Horsebit Loafer
Created in 1953, the Horsebit loafer is arguably the most influential men's shoe of the 20th century. The metal horsebit — a direct reference to Guccio's equestrian origins — sits on a soft moccasin construction with a penny loafer strap. Worn by presidents, actors, and musicians, it is the shoe that made the loafer respectable in boardrooms.
No. 03
The Jackie 1961
Originally called the 'Constance' until Jacqueline Kennedy was photographed carrying it in 1961, this hobo-shaped bag with its piston closure and curved half-moon silhouette has been reissued in multiple sizes and materials. The 2021 reissue added an additional, longer strap for crossbody wear while preserving the original's mid-century proportions.
No. 04
The Bamboo Handle
Invented in 1947 when post-war steel shortages made traditional bag frames impossible to source, Gucci's artisans discovered that bamboo — steamed, bent and lacquered by hand in Florence — could create a handle of extraordinary strength and warmth. The technique, unchanged in 75 years, requires heating the bamboo to precise temperatures and bending it over an open flame. No two handles are identical.
Pillar
Florentine Leather Craft
Every leather piece is cut, burnished and finished in the Via delle Caldaie atelier in Florence, where artisans trained in Tuscan saddlery techniques apply wax, dye and polish by hand.
Pillar
Equestrian DNA
The horsebit, the green-red-green web, the stirrup hardware — every major Gucci code traces back to the aristocratic riding world that inspired Guccio Gucci in 1921.
Pillar
Magpie Maximalism
Gucci's aesthetic is voracious: 1970s disco references sit beside Renaissance embroidery, punk studs beside 1950s couture tailoring. The coherence comes from craft, not theme.
Shop the Maison
A short edit from the current floor.
Frequently Asked
What clients ask about Gucci.
Is Gucci at Palace of Roman authentic?+
Yes. Every piece is sourced through Gucci or its authorised European distribution partners, shipped with full traceability and tracked worldwide delivery.
How can I tell if a Gucci bag is real?+
Authentic Gucci leather goods carry a leather patch with a heat-stamped serial number (two rows of 6 digits on modern pieces), antique-brushed hardware that feels weighty, and stitching that is even and tight. The GG Marmont's matelassé pattern is perfectly symmetrical. When in doubt, buy from an authorised retailer like Palace of Roman.
What is the difference between the GG Marmont sizes?+
The Marmont comes in Mini (16.5cm), Small (22cm), Medium (26cm), and Large (31cm). The Mini fits a phone and card holder; the Small is the most versatile daily size; the Medium carries a full wallet and cosmetics; the Large is a travel or work bag. Most women choose the Small or Medium.
Are Gucci loafers comfortable?+
The Horsebit loafer is cut on a soft moccasin last with minimal structure, making it comfortable from the first wear. The leather sole can be slippery initially; many clients add a rubber sole after a few wears. Size down half a size if you have narrow feet.
Where is Gucci made?+
Gucci's leather goods, ready-to-wear and footwear are produced in Italy, primarily in Tuscany and around Florence. The bamboo handles are still hand-bent over open flames in the Florence atelier.