IMAGE: GUCCI

If there’s only one thing you want from your luxury brand to be Made In China, it has got be these oriental fans from Gucci, because truthfully, you can’t expect an Italian craftsman to be making something Asians do best, right? The accessory of choice in ancient China, today it is the accessory du jour as far as Gucci is concerned, quite evident as they wafted down the runway during the Italian house’s Spring-Summer 2017 presentation.

And because old is new again, or in this case, old is cool again, Alessandro Michele sought out skilful artisans well-versed in the art of traditional fan making and had them create a selection made up of silk supported with a carved wooden handle. Emblazoned with gothic fonts with words like Gucci and Modern on either side (another says Loved, by the way), these collectible art pieces are now available in Singapore at Gucci boutiques where they are priced at SGD570 each.

If there’s one thing admirable to note about this exercise, it’s Michele’s quest to continually fan the flames of artisanal crafts and keep them alive, where a portable USB fan is de rigueur in today’s day and age. USB fan, no. Hand-crafted silk fan, yes.

Image: Gucci