Christopher Shannon. Mexican Pom Pom backpack, blue, pink, and yellow fluorescent PVC with stripes and pom-poms.

Luminious yellow, red and blue plastic backpack, medium size, printed with earth, stars, and love-hearted exclamation marks. Trimmed with pom-poms . Zip and drawstring fastenings. Lined with cotton towelling.

Given by Charlie Porter

This is part of a group of early 2010s menswear donated to the V&A by Charlie Porter, one of the most influential British menswear fashion journalists of the early 21st century. In 2000 Porter became deputy fashion editor for The Guardian, and since then, has worked as an associate editor for GQ and deputy editor for Fantastic Man. He currently writes for The Financial Times as their menswear critic, in addition to his freelance work, DJ-ing and maintaining an active blogging presence online. Porter is particularly known for his understanding of contemporary menswear and familiarity with developing streetwear and alternative trends.

At the time of the donation, Porter provided commentary on many of the pieces. He said of this piece:

"Pompom back pack – this was a gift from Shannon, who had made the backpack for the catwalk in collaboration with Eastpak. It is a quite fantastically ridiculous piece, with all the colour of acid house and 90s raves that Shannon loves. I carried this often, notably on a trip to New York, where I was photographed with it on my back crawling into an insect artwork by Marvin Gaye (but then called Spartycus) Chetwynd at the New Museum!"

- Daniel Milford-Cottam
20/05/2016

T.94-2015