An itirenant exhibition traces the century-long history of Gucci Curated by Maria Luisa Frisa and Es Delvin, Gucci Cosmos is a journey into the great universe of the House

Rediscovering the garments, objects, and stories of the Gucci Archives of Palazzo Settimanni in Florence, renowned British artist Es Delvin and art and fashion historian Maria Luisa Frisa have conceived Gucci Cosmos, an exhibition exploring Maison's 102-year history through eight exhibition worlds. Like a portal that allows one to travel through time, the itinerant project inaugurated at Shanghai's West Bund Art Center on 28 April offers a unique opportunity to take a closer look at everything that has made the brand an icon of the Century, from the aspirations of founder Guccio Gucci to the avant-garde developments promoted by his sons Aldo and Rodolfo, and on to the modern stylistic imagery brought to the catwalk by the brand's most recent artistic directors, Tom Ford, Frida Giannini, and Alessandro Michele. 

Archive consists of a labyrinth of corridors, studded with wardrobes and drawers filled with Gucci's most iconic bags and some of their rare editions. The Cabinet of Wonders, a monolithic cube stained dark red, reveals to the visitor a selection of vintage garments that have marked the House's history, reflecting the audacity with which the designers who have been part of Gucci have interpreted its stylistic codes. This is followed by an anachronistic series featuring looks from the 1970s to the present day, flanked by drawings by Chinese artists such as Victo Ngai, Vikki Zhang, Li Jianmei, and Currynew, confirming Gucci's commitment to supporting cross-continental artistic collaborations. The last world of Gucci Cosmos, Duomo, returns to the brand's Florentine roots thanks to two mirrored reproductions that pay affectionate homage to the dome of Santa Maria del Fiore designed by Filippo Brunelleschi. In a kaleidoscopic landscape, Gucci Cosmos gives each visitor a moment to let go, stimulated by a constellation of lights, flowers, and ancient motifs.