Gucci is celebrating half a century in Japan with a series of events and special products. Gucci’s first relationship with Japan began back in the 1940s, when the brand imported Japanese bamboo for its handbag handles.

The Italian brand then launched its 1st store in Tokyo’s Ginza neighborhood to coincide with the 1964 Olympics which took place in the Japanese capital.

Gucci has remained a popular luxury brand with Japanese customers, and to celebrate its half-century in country, the label is creating a limited edition Flora collection of bags and accessories.

The items, which will arrive in March, include a special scarf (below) which will see 100 percent of sales go to the UNESCO Association Scholarship – GUCCI Scholar initiative (a joint effort between the brand and the NGO).

The collection will be unveiled alongside an event, at the Isetan department store, called “The House of Artisans“, designed to show off the brand’s craftsmanship.

Later in May the brand will fête the reopening of the Aoyama flagship store which will also see an exhibition of Gucci Première gowns as well as the Japanese debut of the tailoring capsule collection created with Lapo Elkann.

CEO Patrizio di Marco and creative director Frida Giannini will play hosts at a dinner for UNESCO in the second half of the year, and the brand will also work with former Roma, Parma and Fiorentina player Hidetoshi Nakata.

The retired Japanese footballing legend has roped in Gucci for the second year running to help with his ‘Revalue Nippon Project’, a charity gala aimed at preserving traditional Japanese design skills and heritage. Special one-off items will be created for the event, ready to go under the hammer for charity.