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December 15, 2014
GUCCI | Frida Giannini in Japan (Part 2)
GUCCI
Frida Giannini in Japan (Part 2)
First Encounter with the "GUCCI Scholars"
The day after the gala dinner, on October 26th, Frida Giannini and Gucci President and CEO Patrizio di Marco visited Sendai. In the Arahama district, which suffered immense damage from the Great East Japan Earthquake, they witnessed firsthand the lingering scars left by the tsunami.
Read Frida Giannini in Japan (Part 1)
Text by ITO Yuji (OPENERS)
Unspeakable Emotions Arising from Visiting the Site
Giannini visited Arahama Elementary School, which has been designated for preservation as a disaster memorial. It is said that the tsunami reached the third floor of this four-story school on the day of the earthquake. Surrounding it, areas with only the foundations of buildings remained, indicating that a residential area once stood here.
Witnessing the Arahama district, where the roofs of houses swept away by the tsunami lay atop memorial monuments and the few remaining homes, Giannini stated at a press conference, "Although I knew about the events of three years ago from news footage, actually visiting the site made me acutely aware of our inability to defy nature. And when I think of the homes that were here and the people who lived here, I cannot help but feel unspeakable emotions."
What the Coastal Plains of Arahama Tell Us
Arahama Beach, Sendai's only seaside resort, is located directly in front of the elementary school. However, the coastline still bears remnants of washed-away playground equipment and broken pine trees, showing no signs of recovery. Looking inland from the coast, a plain stretches out.
This was once a residential area centered around the elementary school, and the tsunami took away all the daily lives of its inhabitants. An episode illustrating the power of nature is that the tsunami surged inland for about 3 km, reaching an expressway. The elevated highway is said to have somewhat reduced the force of the tsunami.
Seeing the current state of stagnation, di Marco said at the press conference, "It is important for someone to take action. We hope that by Gucci initiating support activities, other companies will follow suit."
GUCCI
Frida Giannini in Japan (Part 2)
The Artisans' Craft Experienced by the "GUCCI Scholars"
After leaving the Arahama district, they headed to Yume Messe Miyagi, where a workshop for the "GUCCI Scholars" was to be held. There, Giannini had her first interaction with them. The students, who had experienced Italian craftsmanship, had their faces lit up with the hope of smiles.
Gucci's Sentiments Embodied in the Initialed Bags
In the workshop, after artisans from Italy explained the processes and methods of bag making, the "GUCCI Scholars" experienced making a simple bag, inspired by a pattern used for shoppers in the past.
The bags, cut from a single piece of leather, had the scholars' initials hot-stamped by the artisans, providing them with an unparalleled experience and memory. The actual creation process was simple, involving stitching, but it proved more challenging than expected. "It doesn't go as smoothly as I imagined. It's difficult, but that's what makes it interesting," one of the scholars commented.
One of the scholars commented, "It doesn't go as smoothly as I imagined. It's difficult, but that's what makes it interesting." Giannini and di Marco then spoke with each scholar, marking their first interaction with the "GUCCI Scholars" whom they have supported since 2012.
What Fashion Can Do Now
Following the workshop, a press conference was held with Giannini, di Marco, and Mr. Noguchi from the Japan Association for UNESCO. Giannini stated, "Gucci is a powerful brand. Precisely because it is a luxury brand, I believe we can reach more people, convey messages, and offer support. Furthermore, fashion design is also about designing dreams. Through this workshop, interacting with the 'GUCCI Scholars' and seeing their smiles was a gift to me."
When asked why the workshop format was chosen, di Marco explained, "Making bags by hand is also a form of education for children. We consistently support the rights of children and women, not just on this occasion. We believe that by focusing on education, culture is nurtured and leads to the future of children."
Currently, under the Japan Association for UNESCO's "UNESCO Association Scholarship for Schooling Support - GUCCI Scholars" program, 96 high school students living in the affected areas are receiving scholarship support. This event, where Giannini communicated with them for the first time, highlights Gucci's responsibility for social contribution to the local community, made possible by its status as a brand, and its conviction to pass on universal values to the future.