Gucci presents a range of distinctive Chinese and Japanese fans, emblematic of Alessandro Michele’s commitment to creating contemporary fashion from an eclectic and idiosyncratic mix of cultures. First introduced during womens Spring Summer 17, showcase, the House has carefully sought out local Eastern artisans who are expert in the specialist traditions of fan-making.

Modeled in very lightweight paper with a bamboo handle –material that Gucci has championed since using it for bag handles in 1947. The style is produced in Japan, and is decorated with an owl print on one side the name ‘Gucci’ written in Japanese ideograms on the other. Another model is a silk fan with a wooden handle, made in China by skilled artisans.

The story of fans in the East dates back thousands of years. China is known as the fan kingdom, and its fans have a history that stretches over three thousand years, to the time of the Shang Dynasty. Originally used to shelter those in carriages from the sun, like a parasol, Chinese fans later became hand-held, and were regularly seen in the Emperor’s palace in Beijing.

In antiquity, Japanese fans were made with plants material, animal fur or bird feathers. They were used ceremonially for religious rites, as well as socially, and for
combatting the heat. The Japanese practice of attaching washi paper to a flexible material such as bamboo comes from the Muromachi era (14th-16th century). Most
Japanese fans, including Gucci’s, are today made in the city of Marugame, in the prefecture of Kagawa.