Gucci Returns To Its Roots: Cruise 2026 To Debut At Historic Palazzo Settimanni In Florence

Gucci recently announced that the Cruise 2026 collection will be unveiled in Florence, at the House’s historic Archive in Palazzo Settimanni on via delle Caldaie.

A landmark deeply interwoven into Gucci’s heritage, Palazzo Settimanni is located in the heart of Florence’s Oltrarno district, a neighborhood long associated with artistry and craftsmanship. Acquired by Gucci in 1953, the building has previously served as a workshop, factory, showroom, and, since 2021, the home of the Gucci Archive. Meticulously restored to unveil centuries of architectural history, the archive today is a dynamic space where past and present converge – housing Gucci’s most iconic creations and embodying its enduring spirit of innovation.

The choice of the location marks a meaningful return to Florence – the city where Guccio Gucci founded the brand in 1921. Rooted in a legacy of craftsmanship, creativity, and cultural richness, Florence remains central to Gucci’s identity. It is home to Palazzo Gucci, Gucci Osteria and Gucci Giardino, as well as the offices and production hubs in Casellina and Gucci ArtLab – sites that embody the Maison’s deep and lasting connection to the region.

In line with Gucci’s ongoing commitment to preserving culturally significant sites and supporting the communities that bring them to life, the upcoming show reaffirms and deepens the brand’s bond with the city of Florence. As part of this initiative, Gucci will contribute to the 2026 edition of the Estate Fiorentina cultural program and support the redevelopment of Parco delle Cascine.

“Returning to Florence – and specifically to Palazzo Settimanni – is both a tribute and a declaration of intent,” says Stefano Cantino, CEO of Gucci. “The Archive is not merely a repository of our past; it is a living space where Gucci’s identity codes are preserved and reinterpreted through an ongoing dialogue. Presenting the Cruise 2026 collection here reaffirms our bond with the cultural and artisanal heritage that defines us, while projecting it into the future with coherence and ambition.”

“We are proud to host Gucci’s Cruise collection show in Florence – an extraordinary event in the very city where the brand was born, and in the place that best tells its story: the Archive at Palazzo Settimanni, located in the evocative and distinctive Oltrarno neighborhood,” said Florence Mayor Sara Funaro. “It is a setting rich with history and meaning, rooted in the part of the city where the artisan tradition is most deeply felt – an identity we are committed to enhancing. The relationship between Gucci and Florence is profound. Despite the House’s international success, this bond has never been broken. This event marks a homecoming for a brand that, in truth, never truly left, having always preserved and nurtured its roots through both its production hubs and the iconic sites that enrich our city. It also confirms Florence’s central role in the fashion industry, thanks to global leaders like Gucci. Fashion remains a key sector for our local economy – currently facing challenges but always rich in talent and ready to respond to the demands of the present and future.”

“Creativity, style, craftsmanship – what you see in the streets and piazzas of our city is nothing less than the centuries-old tradition of innovation,” added Jacopo Vicini, Councillor for Economic Development and Tourism, and Giovanni Bettarini, Councillor for Culture. “Gucci’s Cruise show embodies all of this: it reflects Florence’s instinctive drive to create and radiate beauty. It celebrates Florentine pride through its highest expressions, opening the city to the world. It is also an opportunity to spotlight a culture of artisanal excellence that cannot be replicated elsewhere. Florence is honoured to host Gucci’s Cruise show and proud to welcome, year after year, young people from all over the world who come to study and engage with the worlds of culture, fashion, and design.”