Gucci’s Newest Pop-Up Is All About Japanese Architecture

For the final two months, all eyes have been on Tokyo’s new Kengo Kuma–designed Olympic Stadium, the place a worldwide symphony of tradition, athleticism, and community has united the environment. Like significantly of Kuma’s commanding but sustainable buildings, the wood-large venue is in section an homage to common Japanese style, which prizes harmony amongst humankind and nature. Nowhere is this lengthy-standing aesthetic worth far more evident than in Kyoto, an historical metropolis whose humble structures go on to draw travelers and tastemakers alike. And now, Gucci has turn into the newest enterprise to embrace the city’s myriad charms and astounding architecture with its lately opened “Gucci in Kyoto” venture. 

Calling Kyoto “Japan’s sister city to Florence”—the latter being the place Gucci was founded—the Italian enterprise selected to carry on its 100th anniversary celebration in the island country with numerous functions. Gucci initially staged fashion, jewellery, and timepiece shows at two area temples (the two UNESCO World Heritage web sites): Kiyomizu-dera and Ninna-ji. And from now until August 15, the public can also sign up for in the festivities by visiting the Gucci Bamboo Property, a pop-up encounter flanking Gucci’s legendary Bamboo handbags.

For the exhibition, Gucci renovated a machiya—a Japanese common picket townhouse ordinarily inhabited by merchants and craftsmen—formerly identified as the Kawasaki Residence. While these households have existed because the Heian interval, this constructing was manufactured for the duration of the Taishō era of the 1920s (the similar period of time as Gucci’s founding).

In accordance to Japan Property Central, the townhouse, found in central Kyoto, has manner in its bones: It was initially built for a rich cotton service provider, and following providing to the Kawasaki family members, it finally served as a kimono museum. Despite its current designation as a Cultural Residence of Kyoto Town, the property risked demolition just two several years in the past. On the other hand, Gucci has because been ready to source additional funding.

The framework was acknowledged for its combine of Eastern and Western architectural options, a juxtaposition that Gucci resourceful director Alessandro Michele has explored in the company’s products and solutions. The Gucci Bamboo Home follows the simple composition of a machiya: It is prolonged and slim with an enclosed courtyard that in this occasion abounds with purely natural bamboo. Minimalist design has been preserved in some areas, these as the tatami-floored Tea Ceremony Area, rebuilt less than the supervision of tea grasp Sokyu Nara. Other areas have been supplied the eclectic Gucci treatment—most notably the library, wherever patterned chairs and a curated e-book collection are set from Gucci floral wallpaper.

Other information consist of a Sho artwork by calligraphy artist Shisyu and shoji-paper panels adorned with the Gucci monogram. Large-scale sculptural artworks by contemporary bamboo artist Tanabe Chikuunsai IV serve as a complementary backdrop for a spectrum of Bamboo purses, which the brand very first introduced in 1947. Also on look at are updated variations of the Diana purse, a vintage layout from the 1990s that Gucci not too long ago reissued with bamboo handles and removable neon leather belts.

With many months left in its anniversary year, there is no telling which artful metropolis or historic landmark Gucci will pop up in following. Specified Alessandro Michele’s infinite creativeness and flair for reinvention, anything at all is doable.