A new exhibition, Gucci | Bamboo Encounters, reimagines the House’s signature material through the lens of global contemporary artists
Gucci unveils Gucci | Bamboo Encounters, an exhibition curated and designed by 2050+ and its founder, Ippolito Pestellini Laparelli, celebrating the iconic role of bamboo in the House’s design language. Set within the historic 16th-century Chiostri di San Simpliciano during Milan’s Fuorisalone 2025, the show gathers a global roster of contemporary designers and artists invited to explore bamboo in daring, unexpected ways.
The exhibition takes cues from Gucci’s postwar design innovation, when the House first introduced bamboo handles—most notably with the Gucci Bamboo 1947 handbag. Over the decades, the material has evolved into a symbolic code for the brand, standing for far more than just a decorative element. Bamboo has continued to shape the House’s identity, weaving through the worlds of art, design, and culture. Gucci | Bamboo Encounters builds on this legacy, showcasing how the material’s relevance remains strong, fluidly connecting Gucci’s past and present.
Swedish-Chilean artist Anton Alvarez honors bamboo’s organic form with his sculpture, 1802251226. Palestinian architect, artist, and researcher Dima Srouji presents Hybrid Exhalations, transforming found bamboo baskets by integrating hand-blown glass elements. Dutch design collective Kite Club—comprising Bertjan Pot, Liesbeth Abbenes, and Maurice Scheltens—introduces Thank you, Bamboo, a collection of kites made from bamboo and modern materials. Austrian designer Laurids Gallée offers Scaffolding, a series of resin-based design objects reinterpreting bamboo’s structure.
French artist Nathalie Du Pasquier reimagines the theme using bamboo panels and silk textiles in her installation, PASSAVENTO. From Seoul, designer and artist Sisan Lee blends traditional Korean influences with contemporary techniques in his engraved aluminum works. Rounding out the exhibition is bamboo assemblage n.1, a light installation by Eugenio Rossi and Yaazd Contractor of the back studio, merging tradition with innovation.
Gucci | Bamboo Encounters will be open from April 8–13 at Chiostri di San Simpliciano in Milan. In addition, Gucci and 2050+ will host a series of public talks from April 8–10, featuring conversations with participating artists, designers, and other creatives.
