Florence city of art, of course, but also destination of one exclusive shopping, ranging from small research studios to artists and artisans of long tradition, without forgetting the most refined boutiques, frequented by celebrities of the middle world. Beatrice Campani, editor of La Gazzetta del Bon Ton, accompanies us on a tour to discover the secret addresses of the shopping florentine.
Starting from the area around the Duomo, the first address not to be missed is that of the boutique Luisa Via Roma (Via Roma, 19) where there are all the coolest brands of the moment, from Roger Vivier shoes to Giambattista Valli, Vivienne Westwood and Ralph Lauren clothes, but also young brands, on the first date with the public, and therefore absolutely unpublished. A few steps and you can arrive in the "research process", from Gerard Loft (Via Vacchereccia 18 rosso).
Here you will find clothing and accessories from London, the United States and China, carefully selected by buyers of the boutique. If you like the genus another address not to be missed is that of Barefoot in the park (Via del Proconsolo 1). The concept of the store is to propose collections of young international designers, able to differentiate both for materials and for models and for finishings, often crafted.
A must stop is the atelier of Loretta Caponi (Via Tornabuoni 3), where is the most refined lingerie in the city. Here we need many celebrities, from Trudie Styler to Madonna, but also the royal families, such as the British one. If vintage is your passion go to Angelo (Via De’ Cimatori 28 red). This small shop is headed by Angelo Caroli, one of the first to take care of vintage in Italy. Here you can find some precious models Emilio Pucci, Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and many accessories.
Crossing the Arno you will then arrive in the area of the artists, the Oltrarno. The advice is to visit the atelier of Angela Caputi (Via Santo Spirito 58 rosso), specializing in ‘’alta ticket shop’. Here are colorful earrings and necklaces made of plastic and synthetic material. Before going to rest in the hotel there is a stop atOfficina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella (Via della Scala 16), which this year celebrates 400 years. Here are creams of all kinds, for the face and body, special fragrances and fragrances.
For the various preparations still follow the methods that used Dominican friars 400 years ago, cultivating aromatic herbs in the vegetable garden. It is a special place to develop your smell, tasting scents never heard. Just a stone’s throw from the Duomo, there is the goldsmith workshop Paolo Penko (Via Zannetti 14 red). In Florence the Orafa tradition is very important, just think about the many shops of the Ponte Vecchio, but there are few artisans who still do everything by hand.
Paolo Penko is one of these, in his workshop we go to buy the famous "Florentine chain", a long chain of hand-built gold rings, or the reproductions of the jewels that are seen in the paintings (for example those that wears the Venus of the Botticelli). A curiosity: a famous customer is Paris Hilton.
A perfect address to stay in the city is the Hotel Brunelleschi, in the center of Florence, a stone's throw from the Duomo and therefore convenient for shopping.
