After all, this is the home of Catherine de Medici, perhaps one of the most celebrated style icons of all time, and some of Italy's most iconic luxury brands like Ferragamo, Gucci, Pucci and Roberto Cavalli.

Florence is the birthplace of several iconic luxury fashion houses, but Gucci is arguably the most significant brand synonymous with the city. Founded by Guccio Gucci in 1921 as a small leather goods and luggage shop, the brand's global headquarters remain in Florence today. The city also hosts the "Gucci Garden," a museum and boutique located in the historic Palazzo della Mercanzia. Beyond Gucci, Salvatore Ferragamo is another titan of Florentine luxury; the brand established its headquarters in the Palazzo Spini Feroni in 1938 and maintains an extensive museum dedicated to footwear history there. Other notable Florentine luxury brands include Emilio Pucci, famous for its kaleidoscopic prints, and Roberto Cavalli, known for high-octane glamour. For those interested in artisanal luxury, Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella—founded by Dominican friars in 1221—is considered the world's oldest pharmacy and a premier luxury fragrance house. These brands are deeply woven into the city's identity, reflecting Florence's centuries-old tradition of master craftsmanship in leather, textiles, and fine arts.