The Fashion Museum at Palazzo Pitti has triumphantly reopened after nearly five years of closure, offering visitors an exquisite journey through fashion history from the 18th to the early 21st century. Located in the Palazzina della Meridiana adjacent to the southern wing of Pitti Palace, the museum now showcases a reimagined permanent collection across eight rooms, featuring 60 curated looks and numerous accessories.
A Chronological Fashion Journey
For the first time, the museum’s collection is displayed in a chronological order, interspersed with paintings from the Uffizi Galleries. This innovative approach offers visitors a unique blend of art and fashion, highlighting great portraitists such as Carle Vanloo, Laurent Pecheux, and Jean-Sébastien Rouillard from the 18th and early 19th centuries, as well as late 19th-century artists like Tito Conti and Vittorio Corcos.
One of the museum’s star attractions, a needlework gown by pioneering New York seamstress Catherine Donovan, is complemented by Giovanni Boldini’s captivating canvas titled "Women in White." Additionally, a black-and-white themed room juxtaposes Valentino’s creations with an impressive two-tone artwork by Alberto Burri.
Highlights from the Collection
The museum's collection covers a broad spectrum of fashion history, from courtwear and wedding gowns to 20th-century tunics by Fortuny. Noteworthy exhibits include a pink sequinned outfit once worn by Franca Florio and the flamboyant evening dresses of Elsa Schiaparelli, recalling Italy’s first fashion show held in the Sala Bianca in 1952.
Gucci gowns and Versace’s famous black sheath dress, worn by Madonna, also feature in the collection. These iconic pieces underscore the museum’s commitment to showcasing the evolution of fashion design and its social significance.
Invitation for Future Contributions
Simone Verde, director of the Uffizi Galleries, emphasized the museum's goal of becoming encyclopedic in its completeness and quality. "The Fashion Museum at Palazzo Pitti needs to become encyclopedic in terms of its completeness and quality, which is why we welcome donations from the fashion industry," Verde remarked. This call for contributions underscores the museum’s ambition to continually expand and enrich its collection.
Historical Significance and Visitor Information
Founded in 1983 as the first State museum in Italy dedicated to the history of fashion, the Fashion Museum at Palazzo Pitti houses a vast array of clothes, jewelry, and accessories from the 18th century to today. The Palazzina della Meridiana, where the museum is located, was started under Grand Duke of Tuscany Peter Leopold in 1776 and completed in 1830 by Pasquale Poccianti. The building is named after an astronomical instrument created by Vincenzo Viviani in 1699, which remains in the vestibule.
The museum’s collections include the restored funeral clothes of Cosimo I de’ Medici, Eleanor of Toledo, and their son Garzia de’ Medici, displayed as part of the permanent collection.
Visit the Fashion Museum
The Fashion Museum at Palazzo Pitti offers a rich and immersive experience for fashion enthusiasts and art lovers alike. Visitors can marvel at the intricate designs and historical garments that tell the story of fashion's evolution over the centuries.
