“Gucci has always represented great design and contemporary lifestyle.”
Marco Bizzari
While in Kyoto, I had the chance to visit the “Gucci Cosmos” Exhibit, which opened on October 1st at the Kyocera Museum of Art. This traveling exhibition marks the 60th anniversary of Gucci’s first flagship store, which opened in Ginza, Tokyo, in 1964. However, Gucci’s connection with Japan dates back even further to 1947, when founder Guccio Gucci, facing a post-WWII leather shortage in Italy, ingeniously incorporated Japanese bamboo into his women’s handbags—giving birth to the now-iconic 1947 Bamboo Bag. This collaboration between Italian and Japanese craftsmanship set a precedent for the innovative design that continues to define Gucci today.
The exhibit is beautifully arranged into six themed installations: Time Maze, Zoetrope, Echos, Leisure Legacy, Bamboo, and Red Threads. Each space tells a different part of the 103-year-old Gucci story, intertwining history and innovation in an immersive experience.
- Time Maze introduces visitors to Gucci’s early designs, starting with the Diamanté pattern and progressing to the green/red/green stripe, inspired by equestrian saddle girths, and the floral patterns created in 1966 as a gift from Rodolfo Gucci to Princess Grace of Monaco.
- Zoetrope surrounds visitors with large, curved screens that evoke the movement of galloping horses—an homage to Gucci’s equestrian roots. The brand’s early leather goods, including saddles and riding gear, drew inspiration from horsemanship, and this theme continues in its iconic double ring and bar motifs.
- In Echos, visitors explore the contributions of Gucci’s Creative Directors over the decades, from Tom Ford to Frida Giannini, Alessandro Michele, and current Director Sabato De Sarno. Each leader brought a distinct vision, shaping the brand’s evolution while capturing the imagination of fashion enthusiasts worldwide.
Leisure Legacy focuses on Gucci’s influence in the realm of casual and sportswear, from golf and tennis to picnics and horseback riding, all with an air of sophistication and elegance.
The Bamboo room pays tribute to the 1947 Bamboo Bag, reinterpreted by Japanese artisans, some of whom are recognized as Living National Treasures. Through gold appliqué, lacquer, ceramics, photography, and more, each version of the bag becomes a unique work of art, while staying true to its original design.
The final room, Red Threads, is a powerful and emotional end to the exhibit. Inspired by the Japanese belief in the red thread of fate, which connects us to those we meet, this space symbolizes the deep connection between Gucci and Japan—a bond rooted in artistry, prosperity, and spiritual connection.
The Gucci Cosmos Exhibit not only celebrates the brand’s rich history but also its lasting impact on both fashion and culture, particularly through its relationship with Japan. It’s a tribute to timeless craftsmanship and the enduring legacy of the House of Gucci.
