Located at 229 Rue Saint-Honoré in Paris, the Italian luxury house Gucci has opened doors to welcome shoppers into its Gucci Valigeria boutique — a stand-alone store dedicated to its travel line. Spanning two floors, the space occupies over 2,000 square feet and offers a complete range of products from weekend bags, duffles, garment bags, vanity cases, hat cases and other travel essentials. Inspired by the heyday of rail travel during the Belle-Epoque, elements like vintage light fixtures and shelving decorate the retail space.
Starting from the window displays from the storefront, nods to Gucci’s history as a trunk and suitcase maker could be seen from the luggage cart inspired arrangement. Stepping inside the store, on the ground floor, one would be reminded of a tony train station. The cash register is disguised as a welcoming desk, and just beside it is a pile of Gucci-monogrammed luggage. Exotic skin versions of Gucci’s weekend duffle and exclusive trunks and also be found on this level.
On the floor above, brass shelving can be found along the walls and call to mind the racks found in old-fashioned trains. Looking up, the ceiling features an arched roof, which is a nod to the top of carriages of the past. A loon-woven carpet in a tartan motif blankets the entire floor, while plush banquette seating adds a familiar vibe. Additional details like engraved lion heads, a symbol of courage and strength, can also be seen.
Overall, “the décor evokes the atmosphere of an elegant vintage railway carriage as dark walnut furniture and finishes are contrasted by neutral-toned canvas surfaces,” the press release shares.
Some of the highlights of this Paris store include the Gucci Savoy line, which infuses the brand’s signature monogram, the iconic Web stripe and Double G hardware. The Gucci Bauletto top handle bag with its unique triangular style can be found too. Trunks, along with its recently released “Off the Grid” variation made of recycled Econyl nylon, will also be offered. Additionally, it will be the first retail appearance of the recently released aluminium trolley suitcase, developed in partnership with Italian luxury luggage expert FPM Milano.
“Gucci Valigeria is a powerful reminder of our Florentine roots and our timeless craft,” says Marco Bizzarri, President and CEO of Gucci.” It is a symbol of our legacy, reinterpreted through the ages for the travellers and modern-day explorers of every era. Paris’s Rue Saint-Honoré is the perfect location to house our first Gucci Valigeria boutique, offering a portal into our ever-expanding world of travel and discovery.”
The spirit of travelling has been a constant creative source for Gucci and its roots go back to the brand’s founder, Guccio Gucci. It began in the late 1800s when the young Gucci worked as a porter at The Savoy hotel and saw guests streaming in with trunks and suitcases. That sparked a business idea for him, and he returned to Florence to establish what is known as the House of Gucci in 1921. Today, the brand is one of the most powerful luxury brands that set the trajectory of the fashion industry.