The Museum of Costume and Fashion in Florence, located inside the Palazzina della Meridiana next to the southern wing of Pitti Palace, is one of the most important Italian institutions dedicated to the history of costume and fashion.
It houses a vast collection of more than 15.000 pieces, with dresses, accessories and historical costumes dating from the 16th century to present days. The recently-renovated museum features 12 new rooms, including the elegant 19th century Ballroom.
Among the numerous exhibitions are the majestic kimono-style housecoat created by Mariano Fortuny for Eleonora Duse, the 1920s “flapper” tunic by Chanel, the sparkling sequin-covered outfit worn by Franca Florio and the flamboyant evening gowns by Elsa Schiaparelli, leading up to the regal luxury of the creations by Emilio Schubert, the tailor of the divas in the 1950s (his garments for Gina Lollobrigida and Sophia Loren are famous).
Additionally, the museum showcases the geometric extravagance of Patty Pravo's dress, designed in the early 1980s by Gianni Versace, the essential sensuality of the black sheath designed by Jean Paul Gaultier and made famous by Madonna, and the dreamy allure of Gianfranco Ferré's collection for Dior in the 1990s.
Each section offers a fascinating journey through the centuries, showcasing masterpieces by great fashion designers that reveal the evolution of style and taste.
Displayed in rotation for conservation reasons, the Museum’s collections also include jewelry and accessories from the 18th century to today,
Museo della Moda e del Costume - Palazzo Pitti
Piazza de' Pitti, 1, 50125 Firenze FI, Italia
The Museo della Moda e del Costume, Palazzina della Meridiana, is on the second floor of Palazzo Pitti and the access is by the elevators situated on the ground floor, on the right of the Cortile dell'Ammannati. From the second floor, visitors have to follow the corridor (marked by a tactile path) and turn right until they reach a stair composed by two ramps of 18 steps (the itinerary is indicated). The Gallery is partially accessible for people with reduced mobility and in a manual wheelchair. Access is possible thanks to a stair lift (sized 68x 79cm/2,2x2,6 ft, max lift 225 kg /496 lbs). To use it, please push the red button and an operator will help you.
A wheelchair is available for a free use. To preserve the museum’s collection, the lighting is low, between 50 and 60 lux.
Toilets are accessible (threshold is 2,5 cm/0.9 in), access from room 12 for toilet reserved to disabled people.
To exit, please ask again the staff members to use the stair lift.
For information, please contact the Accessibility and Inclusion Department by calling +39 055 2388617, Monday – Friday 9:30am-4:30pm. uffiziaccessibili@cultura.gov.it ; www.uffizi.it/en/ts/accessibility
