Pleats Please by Issey Miyake, spring 2008—“Bilbao Bag”
13 ½” x 13 ½” + adjustable straps

I love how this foldable, collapsible bag resembles origami! According to the MoMA website, “the construction of this bag is inspired by the panels of metal that steel workers fuse together to create a functional structure.” Perhaps it’s another homage to Bucky!

Just like the geodesic dome bag, the triangles are polyvinyl chloride fused to polyester, only for this bag the poly is a mesh which provides lightness and movement to the unlined tote. I first saw this bag in the autumn of 2004 in both pewter and bronze at the Issey Miyake Tribeca store—gorgeous! Check out the Museum of Modern Art Design Store and Takashimaya New York for the current color selection. And no, it’s not available at the Guggenheim Bilbao, but there are two very cool silver museum logo totes by Chus Bures in the museum shop.

Popularity: 100% [?]

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Pleats Please by Issey Miyake, autumn 2003
13” diameter

When I first saw this in a boutique window, I thought it looked like a big squishy beach ball. Upon closer inspection, I realized it was a geodesic dome! I certainly can’t speak for Mr. Miyake’s design intentions, but to me it is a witty homage to the great Buckminster Fuller.

The triangles are polyvinyl chloride fused on polyester, made in Japan. A single magnetic snap closes the polyester lined bag.

PLEATS PLEASE Issey Miyake RUNWAY HANDBAG RARE Black Pleated BAG Backpack $207.00

Issey Miyake Pleats Please Asian Motif Dragon Bag Rare EUC $119.99

Popularity: 18% [?]

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Jean Paul Gaultier, spring 2000
12 ¾” w. x 15 ½” h.

Another pristine bag from spring 2000: minimally detailed shoulder bag of smooth black leather with laser-cut edges and a cord-attached fabric pocket. Even though the leather has a rigid appearance, it is flexible enough for one handle to invert into the other to make it smooth and flat on the shoulder. Because of the size of the hole, this bag only works with sleeveless or very close fitting sleeves. I purchased this bag along with the smaller “fingerholes” bag at the Galerie Gaultier…after all, I was in Paris on a handbag mission!!!

23184 auth JEAN PAUL GAULTIER black mesh & leather Handbag Purse Bag $266.66

VINTAGE Jean Paul Gaultier “PUBLIC GAULTIER” Shopping Bag Heather w/Black Trims $299.00

Popularity: 6% [?]

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Jean Paul Gaultier, spring 2000
9¼’’w. x 11’’h.

Smooth black leather “fingerholes” bag with laser-cut edges and a cord-attached fabric pocket.  I purchased this bag at Galerie Gaultier, Rue du Faubourg Saint Antoine within hours of arriving in Paris on a handbag shopping expedition. After seeing a thumbnail-sized photo of a flap version of this bag in L’Officiel, I set out on my quest immediately after checking into my hotel…not in the least deterred by April showers!

23184 auth JEAN PAUL GAULTIER black mesh & leather Handbag Purse Bag $266.66

VINTAGE Jean Paul Gaultier “PUBLIC GAULTIER” Shopping Bag Heather w/Black Trims $299.00

Popularity: 9% [?]

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Jean Paul Gaultier, spring 2000
17⅛” l. x 6 ¼” w.

Smooth black leather fold-over flap clutch with magnetic snaps and laser-cut edges—purchased in Paris in the Jean Paul Gaultier boutique within the Galeries Lafayette.

This perfectly proportioned, minimally-designed bag doubles as a bracelet—certainly a good idea since it’s only moderately functional as a handbag! It’s also my absolute favorite in my vast collection!

Popularity: 9% [?]

Technorati Tags: Designer Handbags, jean paul gaultier, john paul gaultier, paris shopping