Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Best
Shopping
In medieval and Renaissance Florence, goldsmiths, silversmiths and shoemakers
were as highly regarded as sculptors and artists. Today, Florentines are equally
enamoured of design and artisanship and go out of their way to source quality
goods. Most are also happy to pay what's required (usually a considerable
amount) to
fare la bella figura
(cut a fine figure).
Fashion
Florentines take great pride in their dress and appearance, which is not surprising given
that the Italian fashion industry was born here. Guccio Gucci and Salvatore Farragamo got
the haute- couture ball rolling in the 1920s, and the first Italian prêt-à-porter show was
staged here in 1951.
Via de'Tornabuoni and its surrounding streets - especially Via della Vigna Nuova, Via
della Spada and Borgo SS Apostoli - are the city's fashion epicentre, home to upmarket
designers from Italy and abroad. Some up-and-coming designers are also here, although
high rents mean that they are more likely to be located in the Oltrano and Santa Croce.
Artisanal Crafts
Cheap imported handbags and other goods are common, especially in the city's two main
markets, Mercato Centrale and Mercato Nuovo. But for serious shoppers keen to delve in-
to a city synonymous with craftsmanship, there are plenty of traditional boutiques and
bot-
teghe
(workshops) to visit. Many of these are in the neighbourhood of Oltrano, south of
the Arno;
Click here
for details.
Traditional artisan wares produced by hand or on centuries-old machinery include jew-
ellery, leathergoods (shoes, gloves, bags), fabrics and stationery including marbled paper
and bound journals.
