GUCCI COSMOS opens in Kyoto, Japan

The exhibition explores how Gucci's code and spirit have been brought to life in iconic designs for more than 100 years, and how iconic pieces from each era have inspired and reinterpreted successive Gucci creative directors and designers. The exhibition also reveals that Gucci has not only reflected the times but has also ushered in a new era and driven changes in society and its aesthetic senses by innovating the power of creativity rooted in the highest level of Italian craftsmanship and tradition. It also opens the doors of the archival repository in Florence, where you can explore Gucci's heritage and crafts through historical gems and symbols.

In addition to showcasing manship to cities around the world, the exhibition incorporates the unique perspectives of the host city and blends Gucci's global influence with the traditional culture of the host city. Celebrating the long-standing bond between Gucci and Japan, we will also present stories and elements that resonate with the history of traditional culture and innovation that is alive and well in Kyoto and Japan.

Here's a look at Gucci's connection to the world of equestrian racing, with some inspiration and pieces that have been represented throughout its history. Powerful images are projected on large screens set up around the circular space, and the sound of galloping horses' hooves and the rhythm of the horses' heartbeats echo as they recite words related to horseback riding. The numerous archival items on display show how Gucci's various signature motifs that connect with the world of equestrian riding continue to capture the imagination. Introduced by Aldo Gucci in 1953 as hardware to decorate his loafers, the horse sits with double rings and bars that quickly became Gucci's signature, and the green-red-green web stripes inspired by the girth used to secure the saddle to the horse.

Through these archives, visitors will be able to trace the evolution of Horsebit Hardware from the original loafers to the platform loafers that appeared in the Spring/Summer 2024 women's fashion show that marked the debut of Sabato de Sarno. Sabato paired the loafers with a precious leather jacket and culottes with web stripes. The metal horseshoe detail on the original GG canvas dress from the late 1960s also reveals the depth of connection between the world of equestrian riding and Gucci's history.

Upon stepping into the Bamboo exhibition room, visitors are taken on a journey back to the origins of one of Gucci's most iconic creations: the Gucci Bamboo 1947 bag. As the name suggests, this bag was born in 1947. Its beautifully curved silhouette mimics the contours of a horse saddle, making it the first product Gucci to incorporate inspiration from the world of equestrian riding into its designs. Here, you can see the Gucci Bamboo 1947 bags made of different shapes and materials in one place. Crafted from a variety of materials such as leather, canvas, and raffia, each bag has a unique print and pattern, representing a page in the rich history of the Gucci Bamboo 1947 bag. For example, a bag with a Baiadella stripe on a hemp canvas from the early 1960s is an eye-catching statement of the design spirit of the time. Retaining the silhouette and structure of the original leather back, but derived from the attention to detail, these bags are a testament to the versatility and timeless appeal of the Gucci Bamboo 1947 and cement its position as one of Gucci's most iconic bags. As part of the "Bamboo 1947: Then and Now" collaborative project celebrating the 60th anniversary of Gucci's Japan arrival, some of the vintage Gucci Bamboo 1947 bags have been reclaimed by Japanese traditional craftsmen and contemporary artists. At the exhibition held at the Gucci Ginza Gallery, in addition to the inheritors of Japan's proud traditional crafts, the metal engraver and human national treasure Morihito Katsura, the potter Hirotsune Nakazato, and the painter Ai Tokeshi, contemporary artists Yui Yaegashi and photographer Daido Moriyama, Sixty works by painter Nami Yokoyama were exhibited, breathing new life into vintage bags, mainly from the 1980s and 1990s, with her unique aesthetic and craftsmanship. Moriyama and Yokoyama's creations were also unveiled on the runway of the Gucci Spring/Summer 2025 Women's Fashion Show in Milan. In addition, there are works created from the dialogue between traditional Japanese crafts and Gucci's iconic bags, which were created in collaboration with Sendai Taira, Koshu Inden using Ise patterns, and HOSOO of Nishijin weaving. The main wall is projected with images reminiscent of the beautiful story of Princess Kaguya, who was born from bamboo and returned to the moon, and at the top of it, several arms create an atmosphere of the bamboo forest swaying in the wind with undulating movements. The Gucci Bamboo 1947 bag is further enhanced by the collection of the Kyoto City Kyocera Museum of Art, Yabu (1940) by Ryuko Inoue. This folding screen depicting a bamboo forest [Gucci Bamboo 1947] creates a dialogue between the bag and the natural world, highlighting the encounter between materials, craftsmanship, and traditional culture that continues to enrich people's lives.

        * Adults: 2,200yen 

        * University student: 1,500yen 

        * High school students: 1,000yen 

*Admission is free for University and High school students living or studying in Kyoto.

*Admission is free for Junior high school students or younger.

*Admission is free for those with disabilities and one attendant (with valid disability certificates).

*Please bring your student ID, disability certificate, or other proof of identification.