everybody's contemporary, Efi
Efi Falida encountering Shamebag & Hermès Birkin crocodile porosus bag.
everybody's contemporary, Efi
Efi Falida encountering Shamebag & Hermès Birkin crocodile porosus bag.
Video by Tassos Vrettos
Editing by Iria Vrettou
Listening to Calexico, Dance of Death from "I Am The Resurrection: A Tribute to John Fahey"
Bags as in the destefashioncollection, capsule of 2009, curated by Helmut Lang
A – SHAMEBAG
The year of 2009 in fashion will, in retrospect, be remembered for what happened beyond fashion and the effect it had on the flow of the expected curve ahead. In view of social and economic turmoil, the interruption of the expected became a matter of shock and survival, brought on by extraordinary financial stress both in fashion and the real world. Reflecting society—which is what fashion can do very quickly when it is at its best—was overrun by the obvious series of events. In turn, the consumer and the luxury industry had to come up with a band- aid while figuring out how to pursue consumption and survive as a consumer or as a brand. To talk boastingly and show off what one can afford is a healthy part of a booming economy, but within weeks of the financial collapse, no one really wanted to flash expensive things in other people's faces. There is a certain sensitivity in response to a recession. Under these circumstances, the fashion year of 2009 invented the unmarked shopping bag. It is a first in terms of customers asking for a plain white paper bag in place of the prominent, iconic and branded shopping bags, which in consequence illustrates a reversal of the idea of a status symbol. Some of the clients just had recessional guilt as they could still afford shopping, while their friends or family members where not in the position to do so anymore. And for the regular high-end luxury clients—particularly the ones who might have taken an active part in the collapse of the economy—there might have been a French Fear Syndrome that the guillotine would make a comeback.
selection one - Hermès
Object: Birkin crocodile porosus bag
Hermès, being the oldest luxury leather goods house, has always stood for impeccable quality and craftsmanship for all their products. They embody the idea of solid and iconic investment pieces that will be carried over many years and become even more valuable with time. The Birkin bag is one of these icons. Also, their philosophy and manifesto of repairing and reusing products plays with the idea of individuality and sustainability, going back to an aristocratic approach of valuing tradition. This approach has put Hermès in one of the best positions in handling the difficulties of a challenging year for all luxury brands, as clients turned to Hermès for reassurance and quality they can rely on.
(Helmut Lang)
