Gucci Goes Manga. The Italian Brand Collaborates With Illustrator Hirohiko Araki For Window Displays and SPUR Magazine

Gucci Manga

Italian brand Gucci’s Creative Director Frida Giannini and renowned Japanese Manga artist, Hirohiko Araki, have collaborated to create Guggi Manga: special store window displays featuring the Japanese artist’s illustrations and the Gucci 2013 Cruise Collection. An exclusive Manga (Japanese comic strip), inspired by the collection, is also featured in Japan’s SPUR Magazine.

Gucci Manga

Araki Manga for Gucci Spur Magazine IIHIH

gucci logo by araki
gucci logo by araki

Gucci Spur Mag Araki IIHIH 6

gucci manga art

gucci storefront japan

Gucci windows entry Japan store

Araki says ‘Frida’s beautiful cruise collection with its strong colours and graphic designs set my mind racing the moment she showed it to me. From there the characters and storylines came into being so naturally. It was very stimulating to work together on this project.’

Gucci manga art

gucci S/S 2013

Araki manga for gucci

gucci illustrations

Araki has created an exclusive Manga (Japanese comic strip), inspired by the collection and a story that will bring the windows of Gucci’s worldwide direct store network to life in January and February. The story is also featured in Japan’s SPUR Magazine.

Spur x gucci

Some sites and blogs are confusing this collaboration with Gucci’s previous first collaboration with the Japanese artist in 2011 and posting the wrong illustrations and window displays. Araki worked with the Gucci brand in September 2011 when they collaborated with Spur for an exhibit of Gucci’s 90 year anniversary that featured Araki’s illustrations. Because the exhibit was only featured in Gucci’s Shinjuku store, this time around, the partnership is on a global stage.

SPUR cover

Entitled “Jolyne, Fly High with Gucci,” Araki’s Manga tells the adventure of Jolyne Cujoh, a student who inherits a keepsake from her mother’s Gucci collection. Propelled by the mystery behind her vintage treasure, she embarks on a journey that transcends time. Echoing the sensual color palette and graphic undertones of Giannini’s Cruise collection with symbolic references to the House’s iconic Flora pattern that has been reinterpreted in a number of the collection’s signature pieces, Araki’s extraordinary technique gives a three dimensional effect to his characters.





Spur Magazine of Japan reports:
The illustrative story entitled Jolyne, Fly High with Gucci, tells the story of Jolyne Cujoh, a student who inherits a vintage treasure from her mother’s Gucci collection. Inspired by the mystery behind the piece, she embarks on a journey that transcends time. The result is a stunning collection of art. Heavily influenced by the cruise collection, expect to see Gucci’s historic flora pattern strongly referenced. As Giannini has noted, ‘I am quite sure his window installations will stop people in their tracks in cities around the world as they immerse themselves in the fabulous fantasy world he has created.’

Images of Gucci Manga Window Displays (courtesy of SPUR Magazine):


gucci window spur mag
gucci manga window japan
gucci manga window japan
Japanese Manga Gucci

Araki says ‘Frida’s beautiful cruise collection with its strong colours and graphic designs set my mind racing the moment she showed it to me. From there the characters and storylines came into being so naturally. It was very stimulating to work together on this project.’

images and information courtesy of Gucci, and Spur Magazine