Sixty years ago, Gucci unveiled the Bamboo 1947 bag in Japan. A simple, well-designed satchel with a curved bamboo handle, it quickly became a global sensation synonymous with the appeal of Gucci’s pioneering spirit and exquisite craftsmanship.

Initially launched by the maison’s founding father Guccio Gucci and a group of Florentine artisans in 1947 – hence the name of the bag – the Bamboo 1947 is timeless and undeniably elegant with a rugged edge to keep it up to date. Each of Gucci’s creative directors in the time since have reinterpreted the bag in their own distinct style, bridging the past and present in a celebration of the creative dialogue between Gucci and Japan that has traversed decades.

To celebrate this monumental moment in the house’s history, an impressive new exhibition is opening at Gucci Gallery Ginza. Centred around the visionary work of exceptionally talented Japanese traditional artists and contemporary artisans reimagining 60 vintage versions of the bag, predominantly from the ‘80s and ‘90s, whilst spotlighting themes of discovery and upcycling.

Entitled Bamboo 1947: Then and Now Celebrating 60 Years of Gucci in Japan, artists including goldsmith and Living National Treasure Morihito Katsura and his pupil Naoko Ai, ceramist Nakazato Hirotsune, lacquerer Ai Tokeshi, photographer Daido Moriyama, and painters Nami Yokoyama and Yui Yaegashi, give new life to the timeless classic.

Katsura and Ai tap into fresh textures while Hirotsune plays with a vivid colour palette. Tokeshi on the other hand, realises a series of glazed leather Bamboo bags in abstract finishings and Moriyama transposes bold grayscale graphics depicting cityscapes, flora, fauna and sensual images of the human body onto black renditions of the bag. Yokoyama creates an interesting reimagining of neon signs, painting Day-Glo phrases onto the accessory and Yaegashi wields her paintbrush to create Piet Mondrian-like geometric patterns and subtle tartan-esque designs, bringing a mid-century feel back to the Bamboo 1947.

Presenting alongside a timeline history of the bag, the exhibition is open now until September 23, with the bags going on sale as individual art pieces following its closure.

Discover the exhibition here.

gucci.com

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