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Gucci’s Bamboo 1947 Bag


Gucci’s latest renditions of the iconic Bamboo 1947 Bag, as worn by supermodel

Liu Wen in the House’s recent Campaign.



Bamboo 1947 Bag, Miami Vibes Magazine, Gucci, Miami lifestyle magazine
Bamboo 1947 Bag

 supermodel Liu Wen, Miami Vibes Magazine, Gucci
supermodel Liu Wen

This campaign alludes to the enduring bond that exists between a woman and her bag. In 1947, amidst Italy’s post-war era in which traditional raw materials were difficult to come by, the House employed the lightweight and durable bamboo. The bamboo top handle required unexpected technicality when crafting the curved stalk, and is widely considered a first example of Gucci’s dedication to craftsmanship. Enclosed below, you’ll find detailed imagery and information about the Making of the Bamboo 1947.

Following decades of adaptations, the current Gucci Bamboo 1947 is distinguished by interchangeable leather and Web straps, varying sizes and materials. The line is presented in timeless color palettes as well as seasonal variations and is enriched by refined evening styles and precious leather iterations.



Bamboo 1947 Bag, Miami Vibes Magazine, Gucci, Miami lifestyle magazine

Bamboo 1947 Bag, Miami Vibes Magazine, Gucci, Miami lifestyle magazine
Marina Ruy Barbosa

Supermodel Liu Wen stars in the House’s latest campaign dedicated to the Bamboo 1947, distinguished by the curved bamboo handle whose hand-crafted nature makes each bag unique. Shot and directed by David Sims, the campaign portrays two emblematic characters in an intimate relationship – the kind that develops between an individual and a loved object. Stills and video depict the bag as a symbolic keeper of secrets, an allegorical treasure chest of cherished sentiments. Everything traces back to the enduring bond that exists between a woman and her bag and how this connection grows deeper over time as a bag is much more than a mere object, but rather an extension of the woman herself and an expression of her unique femininity.



NOTES TO THE EDITOR The Gucci Bamboo 1947, as well as its archival predecessors are prominently featured within Gucci Cosmos, a major new exhibition of the House’s most iconic and timeless designs from its 102-year history, debuting in Shanghai on April 28 and open until June 25. Curated by Italian fashion critic Maria Luisa Frisa, the exhibition is designed by British artist Es Devlin, who has also created a special installation for the Bamboo 1947 that can be found in dedicated window displays and inside select Gucci boutiques around the world.

Bamboo 1947 Bag, Miami Vibes Magazine, Gucci, Miami lifestyle magazine

Bamboo 1947 Bag, Miami Vibes Magazine, Gucci, Miami lifestyle magazine
Heart Evangelista

PRODUCT DETAILS An instant emblem forged by a flame, the curved bamboo handle crowns a leather handbag in 1947, marking the House’s path as an innovator in craftsmanship and luxury. Today, the renowned design of the Gucci Bamboo 1947 is at the heart of the House’s signature bag collection, representing how a creative instinct propelled by profound know-how has led Gucci to where it is today.


In 1947 – amidst Italy’s post-war era in which traditional raw materials were difficult to come by – the enterprising founder, Guccio Gucci, with the help of the House’s visionary Florentine artisans, decided to use the lightweight and durable bamboo for the handle of a purse. The paradigm of design coherence and the authority of leather was gracefully challenged by the bamboo in a game of contrasts that defied the aesthetic rules of the time.

Bamboo 1947 Bag, Miami Vibes Magazine, Gucci, Miami lifestyle magazine

Sabine Getty

The bamboo top handle also ushered in an expansion of the House’s artisanal expertise, as there is a highly technical process behind crafting the curved stalk. A craftsman first selects the most unblemished pieces of bamboo, which are then softened and worked over an open flame by hand to manipulate the material into a semi-circular form. Once shaped, the handle is coated in multiple layers of lacquer, after which it is baked to achieve a shiny golden-brown finish. Due to this meticulous process, not a single bamboo handle is ever the same.


Following its debut, the ‘Bamboo Bag’ became a fixture among Hollywood’s leading ladies and the international jet set, consolidating the style’s status as an innovative icon around the world. The current Gucci Bamboo 1947 is distinguished by interchangeable leather and Web straps, adding to the style’s functionality. Both straps are detachable and adjustable, making it a highly versatile accessory, suitable for myriad occasions.



Presented in different combinations that evoke diverse attitudes, the top handle bag comes in varying sizes and materials. The line is presented in timeless color palettes as well as seasonal variations and is enriched by refined evening styles and precious leather iterations.


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