Gucci Japanese Silk Handbags Being Sold to Aid Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Efforts

Italian fashion designer Gucci is teaming up with a well known Japanese fabric maker to create a limited edition set of traditional Japanese silk fabric Sendaihira handbags. The proceeds from sales of these bags will go to relief projects aiding areas and victims of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, targeting the reconstruction of Sendai.

The city of Sendai initiated this collaborative project between Gucci and the longstanding silk goods brand Sendaihira. Sendaihira operates in Sendai, located in Miyagi Prefecture. 

Sendaihira is a brand of silk fabric produced only in the Sendai area. Due to his knowledge of the traditional technique of creating this fabric, artisan Yoshio Koda, age 84, is certified by the Japanese government as a living national treasure. His father, Eisuke Koda, was also a Sendaihira craftsman. 

 
This is the first time such cloth is being used in the manufacture of handbags. Textiles of the brand are primarily used for hakama cloth, used for making traditional pants, or "hakama" for men, including samurai. Sendaihira-made hakama were also worn by kabuki actors and sumo wrestlers.  Use of such garments date back to the Edo period (1603-1867).  Koda offered a "tan" at no cost, measuring about 11 meters by 34 centimeters) of silk Sendaihira, worth several million yen, to Gucci. Craftsmen for the Italian brand then integrated into the fabric bags special edition.

The limited edition bag is made of the textile named Zuiho, created to represent the city of Sendai. Calf leather, bamboo handles and bamboo tassels are part of the bag design. The end result is a perfect harmony between the two brands. Bags will be available in three colors: mandarin, brown and navy.

The first batch of ten handcrafted bags went on sale at the Gucci Sendai Fujisaki store on July 12, 2013. The rest of the production - in limited edition - will be available for purchase in Tokyo and Osaka starting September 1st. These specialty handbags will be sold at a cost of 420,000 yen each, or US$ 4,225.00.