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The allure Florentine hats : I’ll explain the history of famous Tuscan straw hat and plan a visit to the Domenico Michelacci Straw Museum of Signa
The Florentine straw hat is one of the timelessly elegant fashion accessories typical of Italian style
This reined practical wide-brimmed hat conceals a centuries-old history of hard-working hand and extraordinary Italian crafttsmanship
The Allure of Florentine Hats : How the legend was born
It all began with Domenico Michelacci, a farmer who had the intuition that forever changed the economy of the Tuscany region
We are in Signa a small town just outside Florence where Michelacci decided to grow a particular grain called marzuolo wheat not for farinazz but exclusively its straw
By sowing the densely packed grai, the stalks grew long, flexible and golden in color and thus the famous Florentine straw was born. With the help of the trecciaiole or women who move the straw at home they were able to transform masterpieces into elegant hats exported all over the world
The allure florentine Hats : The straw and weaving Museum in Signa
The Legend was born in Signa where today you can visit the Straw and weaving Museum. The Museum Houses
Historical examples of hats from the most classic 19-centiry hats to the elegant straw hats used during the Belle Opoque all the way to the creation of the major paris and New York fashion houses
You will find period equipment including original machinery wooden forms presses and other tools used for bleaching ironing and sewing hats
You will find a moving journey that pays homage to the local women. Le Tracciaole who made this succes possible with their hands.
Finally you will find intricate braids, some made of over 13 straw strands almost resembling fabric
I recommend it to anyone interested in fashion local history and Tuscan craftsmanship made in Italy
The Museum of Signa is located about 1 hour trip from B&B Sunrise Massarosa
The allure Florentine Hats : Leghorn Hats
Did you know that hats were called leghorn hats by the English? This is because crate full of Tuscan hats were shipped from the port of Livorno to London and United States
Visiting the Museum means rediscovering the value of handmade craftsmanship and the pride of the Tuscan tradition that has made us famous throughout the world.
Do you know a Florentine straw hat in your closet?
