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Emilio Pucci
Most famous for their 1960s bold and brightly-coloured psychedelic prints, Pucci relaunched their vintage line in the early '90s and were copied by just about every high-street label on the planet. They have swimwear, beach towels, bags and shoes in their distinctive style.
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Enoteca Romano Gambi
Planning a picnic in the Parco delle Cascine? This traditional enoteca has quality food and wines from Tuscany and beyond, dispensed by friendly and helpful staff.
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Enrico Verità
This is one of the eight oldest watchmakers in all of Italy, and a wander around in here is a trip through time. Apart from selling a broad range of timepieces, from the most prestigious modern brands to antique items, the shop also specialises in repairs to just about any kind of ticker you care to bring in.
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Ermanno Scervino
Scervino cultivates an appeal to the young set conscious of the latest moves on the threads front, which often means taking a walk on the grunge side.
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Feltrinelli International
This place has a good selection of books in English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese and Russian, as well as a reasonable travel section and plenty of Italian literature.
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Filistrucchi
Need a wig or other theatrical devices? This has been the place to come for masks and theatre accessories since the early 18th century. In the 1720s, when it opened, it was a barber's and make-up shop in one, but gradually specialised in make-up and wigs for the theatre. It is one of Florence's oldest stores to have kept in constant business.
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Firenze of Papier Maché
There are masks for all occasions and sculpted icons for every taste at this atmospheric shop-cum-studio of 20 years standing. If you're travelling elsewhere in Italy you'll probably see rip-offs of Bijan's striking and clever creations but ask for one of his cards - it might be cheap but it's also original.
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Francesco da Firenze
Come and do your shoes the way they used to be done. Buy ready-made or have them specifically designed. Either way they are handmade in this topsy-turvy workshop.
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Fratelli Rossetti
For one of the last words in classic elegant footwear, made to last a lifetime, you should have a browse here.
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Galleria Tornabuoni
Recently relocated, the city's most prestigious gallery presents the works of some of the best and most well-known Italian contemporary artists.
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Gherardi
One of the name jewellers on the bridge, Gherardi is Florence's king of coral and has a chest full of finely crafted treasures from clumps of gold to cultured pearls.
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Gucci
Gucci first made its name with luggage and leather accessories created in a tiny saddlery store around the corner from here, and is now the world's best known Florentine trademark. Thanks to family feuding there are no Guccis left in the business but the name still excites aficionados.
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Il Bisonte
Quality craftsmanship is a byword at 'The Bison', particularly strong on accessories that range from elegant bags in natural leather to distinguished desktop items, leather-bound notebooks, briefcases and the like.
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Il Gatto Bianco
At the White Cat, an attractive back-street jewellery workshop, you can pick up all sorts of wonderful and affordable jewellery. Fresh contemporary designs incorporate gold, silver and semiprecious stones.
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Italianloves
Lurking just off the bustling Piazza di Santa Croce, this long gallery of a shop sells a good selection of Tuscan farm products, but above all wine and olive oil. Out the back you can taste both products before making a purchase. The same shop also runs an Internet service.
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Johnsons & Relatives Stamperia Toscana
For a high-quality selection of paper products, it is hard to go past this long-established Florentine company with the oh-so English name. Along with more common stationery items you can browse for hand-decorated paper, books, unique photo albums and other items covered in such decorated paper.
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L'ippogrifo
Lovers of old and rare books, maps and manuscripts should mosey around here. You may not want to buy, but the place is laden with curios redolent of other, less frenetic times.
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La Bottega di Leonardo
This compact shop sells odds and ends aimed at the passing tourist trade, but the kids might be interested in the Leokits - unique wooden models of some of Leonardo da Vinci's wacky inventions.
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La Galleria del Chianti
Despite the name, the shelves of this store are stacked with goodies from all over Tuscany and even a few from other regions, such as Poli Grappa from Bassano del Grappa in the Veneto (if your insides need a clean).
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La Rinascente
A modest branch of the famous national chain, the six floors of this place are a monument to conservatism - everything from Tuscan handicrafts to designer labels and jewellery.
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Lanzo Caffè
This shop offers a mix of attractively packaged foodstuffs, such as panforte ('strong bread', made of almonds, candied fruit, spices and honey) and various regional products like honey - as well as a wine selection from Tuscany and beyond.
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Librairie Française
Housed within the city's French cultural institute, this is easily the best place for French texts, with a range of books on Florence and Tuscany and a welter of Gallic prose.
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Libreria Antiquaria Gonnelli
One of the temples to old books and manuscripts in Florence, the Gonnelli business has been going since 1875. Step inside and see the ancient volumes stacked on the shelves, precious manuscripts on show and knowing clients discussing rare texts in hushed tones. It is as though time has stood still.
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Libreria Delle Donne
Florence's main women's bookshop is also something of a lesbian info centre. Most of the literature is in Italian, but you may find the listings on the notice board useful.
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Luca della Robbia
This shop has been turning out handmade reproductions of robbiane (Renaissance-style glazed terracotta) since the 19th century.






