Laudomia Pucci: On Florence, Art, Family & Fashion

This week Melissa transports you to the Pucci Palazzo in Florence, Italy, for a conversation with Laudomia Pucci that covers fashion, food, her family’s legacy in Florence, and much more. Laudomia Pucci is a native Florentine and the daughter of Emilio Pucci. She became the CEO of the PUCCI brand at just 28 years-old after her father's passing and has been integral to the international expansion of the brand… successfully overseeing its merger with luxury conglomerate LVMH. The Pucci family has been a prominent Florentine family since the 13th Century. Today, they’re best known as the creative masterminds behind the luxury fashion brand PUCCI, created by Emilio. The bold, pattern-forward designs were beloved by Sophia Loren, Jackie Kennedy, and Marilyn Monroe…to name a few. The designs truly embody the Italian Dolce Vita. Emilio was not only Italy’s first ready-to-wear designer, but he was also one of the first Italian fashion brands to be headquartered in Florence.   Today, Laudomia is the President of Emilio Pucci Heritage – a site dedicated to nurturing brand culture and history. In this episode, Laudomia will discuss the Pucci fashion house, its legacy, her career, the future of fashion, as well as an intimate window into her Florence.And this week on Destination Hacks, Melissa highlights restaurants, hotels, and more attractions to include on your next trip to Florence! If you want more information on the hotels, restaurants, or museums mentioned in this week’s episode, click on the links below:  Hotels:Four Seasons FirenzeVilla San Michele, a Belmond HotelRocco Forte's Hotel SavoyHotel LungarnoPortrait FirenzeThe PlaceHelvetia and BristolRestaurants:Cantinetta AntinoriBuca LapiAtelier de' NerliOsteria Cinghiale BiancoRistorante Il Profeta FirenzeOsteria dell' EnotecaMuseums:LaTinaia Al Bosco - Contemporary art foundation outside of Florence. Their current exhibition, “Borrowed Views” showcases a dozen of Olafur Eliasson pieces until the end of June.Palazzo Strozzi - Contemporary art museum that will have a major Anish Kapoor show in the fall.Palatine Gallery- Major artworks collected by the Medici dynasty displayed on the first floor of the Renaissance Pitti Palace.Bardini Gardens - Stunning gardens in the center of FlorenceNational Museum of Bargello - National Museum in one of the oldest buildings in Florence that dates back to 1255.