Not currently on display at the V&A

'Spiral' handbag

Handbag
1990s (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. Stalwarts such as Jane Shilton continued to provide quality for many women with their affordable and well-made range of handbags. Shoe shops and boutique groups produced accessories that perfectly complemented their styles. Meanwhile, 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. This black leather bust-shaped handbag by Issey Miyake plays on the idea of the femininity of the handbag--formed into a hollow torso it is subtle and disconcerting.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Title'Spiral' handbag
Materials and techniques
Shaped leather
Brief description
Handbag, leather, by Issey Miyake, Japan, 1991
Physical description
Leather bust-shaped handbag, designed by Issey Miyake, Japan, 1990s
Dimensions
  • Including handle height: 52.5cm
  • Width: 40cm
  • Depth: 21cm
Gallery label
THE MAGIC OF EVERYDAY OBJECTS Everyday items can be playfully transformed into humorous bags. In the 1980s, British designer Lulu Guinness became synonymous with surreal and witty accessories inspired by commonplace objects. More recently, Gabriela Hearst used an accordion to inspire her 'Diana' bag (named after soul singer Diana Ross) [T.272-2019], while Rejina Pyo took a traditional Korean lunch box for her 'Nane' bag. Often, these bags are made to stand independently, transforming them into intriguing sculptures that transcend their function as mere receptacles for transporting belongings. V&A, Room 40, Bags: Inside Out. (12/2020)
Credit line
Given by Francesca Galloway
Object history
Registered File number 1991/1453.
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. Stalwarts such as Jane Shilton continued to provide quality for many women with their affordable and well-made range of handbags. Shoe shops and boutique groups produced accessories that perfectly complemented their styles. Meanwhile, 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. This black leather bust-shaped handbag by Issey Miyake plays on the idea of the femininity of the handbag--formed into a hollow torso it is subtle and disconcerting.
Collection
Accession number
T.149-1991

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Record createdMay 15, 2003
Record URL
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