Design inspiration
Gucci's classic bamboo handbag was born in 1947. As European countries were still implementing a resource rationing system after World War II, the raw materials for making bags were scarce. Under the creativity of Florentine craftsmen, the brand founder Guccio Gucci sought another way out and imported lightweight and strong bamboo from Japan as bag handles.
In 1958, Gucci officially obtained the patent for the bamboo bag. Over the decades, the bamboo handle has transcended its original purpose of pragmatism. With the evolution of different eras, it has become the brand's iconic symbol. It has also continuously endowed Hollywood actresses and international celebrities with unique personalities, becoming a style symbol that transcends time and space.
Queen Paola di Liegi of Belgium, 1964
Italian actress Ilaria Occhini, 1956Each bamboo handle has to go through more than a dozen processes before it can be successfully produced. First, the bamboo is heated with fire to bend and shape it , then it is colored with natural beeswax and varnish, and then it is fired again to give it natural scorch marks.
Bamboo handle production process
The bamboo handle and lock are the most classical and oriental elements on this bag, giving it a sense of historical precipitation. Coupled with the "wild" nature of natural bamboo and the complexity of the craftsmanship, each bamboo bag is a unique "one-of-a-kind".
· Production process ·
Each bamboo handbag is assembled from about 140 parts of various sizes . A series of processes including leather cutting, hand-polishing, shaping and modification, hand-painted oil edges, and hardware assembly are all done by hand by the bag craftsmen in the Florence workshop. Each bag takes more than 13 hours to make .
The rounded saddle silhouette not only echoes the brand's equestrian origins, but also forms a fusion and eclecticism of Eastern and Western cultures with the bamboo elements. With the addition of the arched handle, it looks elegant and unique.
· How do I carry this bag? ·
Another highlight of the new Bamboo 1947 bag is the addition of two interchangeable, adjustable and detachable shoulder straps . One is a thin leather shoulder strap in the same color as the bag, and the other is the brand's iconic red and green wide webbing shoulder strap, which is fixed to the shoulder strap ring with a metal clip. While enhancing the functionality, it also gives the bag a diverse posture.
What can this bag hold?
The Bamboo 1947 series bamboo handbags are available in three sizes: medium, small and mini. The one we introduce is the smallest mini size (17×12×7.5cm) . Compared with the original bamboo bag, it is much cuter and more playful, and is also more friendly to petite girls.
The bag is lined with beige cotton and linen , which is light and scratch-resistant, and has a card compartment on the back. We put an iPhone X, a makeup mirror, tissues, lipstick, perfume, and Airpods in the bag, and it's almost ready for going out.
GUCCI Bamboo 1947 Bamboo Bag
- Designer Alessandro Michele
- Size 17cm wide 12cm high 7.5cm bottom
- Handle 8cm high
- Shoulder strap 55cm long
- Weight: 445g
