Why Is The Gucci Bamboo 1947 So Iconic?
To mark 60 years of Gucci in Japan, a new exhibition in Tokyo is dedicated to the history of the Bamboo 1947 handbag. Japanese artists including Daido Moriyama and Nami Yokoyama have put their stamp on the bag for the occasion.
To mark 60 years of Gucci in Japan, a new exhibition in Tokyo is dedicated to the history of the Bamboo 1947 handbag. Japanese artists including Daido Moriyama and Nami Yokoyama have put their stamp on the bag for the occasion.
If you want to know the history of Gucci, look at their handbags. Emblematic of the Italian brand's history, Gucci's world-famous arm candy represent innovation, creativity and craftsmanship to equal effect. From the Jackie 1961, a favourite of the house's artistic director Sabato de Sarno, to the Bambooo 1947, Gucci's rich archive of handbag designs hold a host of secrets into the brand's past.
This August, to mark 60 years of Gucci in Japan, the Gucci Ginza Gallery in Tokyo opens an exhibition all about the Bamboo 1947. As part of the show, 60 vintage Bamboo 1947 bags from 1980-1990 have been seen through the eyes of Japanese artists including the famed photographer Daido Moriyama, goldsmith Morihito Katsura and his apprentice Naoki Ai, Ai Tokeshi, ceramicist Hirotsune Nakazato, painter Yui Yaegashi and painter Nami Yokoyama.
What makes the Bamboo so iconic? Bent by hand over the heat of a flame, the durable bamboo top handle bag was first crafted by Gucci in 1947 due to the low leather resources in the post-war years. Today, Gucci artisans still handcraft the bags in Florence.
Having imported their bamboo canes from Japan at the time, it's fitting that Gucci should now return to one of their key markets with a dedicated show on the design, which has been worn over the years by actor and Gucci ambassador Jun Shison, the late Elizabeth Taylor and the one and only Beyoncè.
Since its inception, the leather handbag design has undergone different evolutions, from size to material finishes, but its iconic status remains. Bamboo 1947: Then and Now - Celebrating 60 years of Gucci in Japan will trace the history of the accessory through over 400 archival and contemporary iterations.
As one of the first global luxury players to make a commitment to digital and technological innovation, investing heavily in gaming and metaverse-led activations, Gucci are building out their app on Apple's Vision Pro for the occasion.
In tandem with the exhibition's celebration of the handmade, the new Gucci Icons section on the app will enable users to experience the story of house icons like the Bamboo 1947 through augmented reality, creating a holistic and interactive experience.
Bamboo 1947: Then and Now. Celebrating 60 Years of Gucci in Japan runs until 23 September, 2024.
