'Fudge The Fashionistas, Let Them Eat Cake' handbag thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

'Fudge The Fashionistas, Let Them Eat Cake' handbag

Handbag
1996 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

In the early 1990s, small bags with designer logos swung all over London, New York and Paris, and only the trained eye could distinguish the real articles from the counterfeit. Shoe shops and boutique groups produced accessories that perfectly complemented their styles and fashion designers featured more and more accessories at their catwalk shows, with hats, bags and shoes supplying the fizz, and the sale, for many collections.

The Moschino label was launched in 1983, their trademark being a good-natured mockery of haute couture that became highly fashionable in itself. In this case the handbag is adorned surrealistically with 'melted' chocolate. The advertising campaign for this bag was set in a baker's shop.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Handbag
  • Shoulder Strap
Title'Fudge The Fashionistas, Let Them Eat Cake' handbag (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Leather with metal zip and tag
Brief description
Handbag, shoulder strap, leather, designed and made by Moschino, 1996, Italy
Physical description
Ivory and dark brown leather handbag with metal zip and tag, and a chocolate brown leather strap.
Dimensions
  • Height: 38.5cm
  • Width: 34.5cm
  • Depth: 14cm
Gallery label
This handbag dripping with chocolate, together with its title paraphrasing the famous words of French Queen Marie Antoinette, is a witty mockery of the fashion system typical of Moschino's work. Franco Moschino started his label Moschino Couture! in 1983 and he soon became renowned for the phrase, 'Stop the fashion system'. V&A, Room 40, Bags: Inside Out. (12/2020)
Credit line
Given by Gigi Pearl Marshall
Summary
In the early 1990s, small bags with designer logos swung all over London, New York and Paris, and only the trained eye could distinguish the real articles from the counterfeit. Shoe shops and boutique groups produced accessories that perfectly complemented their styles and fashion designers featured more and more accessories at their catwalk shows, with hats, bags and shoes supplying the fizz, and the sale, for many collections.

The Moschino label was launched in 1983, their trademark being a good-natured mockery of haute couture that became highly fashionable in itself. In this case the handbag is adorned surrealistically with 'melted' chocolate. The advertising campaign for this bag was set in a baker's shop.
Collection
Accession number
T.582:1, 2-1996

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdMarch 19, 2003
Record URL
Download as: JSON