Wow. Fendi. "Artist Baguette", freshly launched for a mere $1300, a new stark white version of their classic - designed by Silvia Venturini Fendi in 1997 - in coated canvas? And it comes with 10 Pantone Universe markers! It sure looks like they are taking a page from the current trends with the vinyl toy blanks... or coloring books/placemats/other children oriented goodies. And in fact quite a few purse sites seem a bit appalled by the whole thing (Purse Blog, Bag Snob, etc)...
Anyhow, putting the pricetag aside, lets think about this from an arts perspective... there is a LOT of collaboration potential here. Can you imagine getting a few of these into the hands of some talented artists and toy designers, and letting them have their way with them? The potential to merge a fashionable classic accessory with art could have some very interesting results (which could also be a way to increase that initial investment, not to mention actually create an even more unique one of a kind designer clutch). So i must admit i'm tempted, although i might have to hold out till i can draw on my own Birkin... See many more images after the jump!
p.s.
It seems like this is one of those situations where packaging makes a world of difference... if it were presented as a gorgeous new white clutch and nothing more, would anyone dare take a sharpie to it? Or would the die hard fashionistas complain about the ridiculousness? And it's not *just* a white canvas bag, it still has all the detailed stylings of a classic Baguette, and additionally has a playfully multicolored cartoon-like lining!
UPDATE 03.13.08 - i walked by a Fendi store, and couldn't help myself, so went in and bothered them to show me the bag... that box is FAR bigger than i expected, and the bag is quite hideous... not nice to the touch at all... the coated canvas reminded me more of random art school creations than a designer bag.
TO PAGE 2 of "Fendi 'Paint-Your-Own' Artist Baguette "! ----->
Tags:
art
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bag
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diy
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fashion
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gifts
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shopping
Really. A free classic for download on the Hermes site... i thought it was bizarre when Fendi went all DIY with its white canvas baguette that came with Pantone markers, but to see Hermes release Hermes Branded pdf's of DIY cut+glue models of Kelly bags... i just had to laugh. Then press print. Then post.
