ART & FASHION
Hot Topic
According to Olivia Fleming of the Daily Mail, “Just
two months ago, Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen's $39,000 alligator skin backpack
sold out at Barneys. Now the design duo for The Row has gone one step further,
releasing a $55,000 backpack adorned with prescription pills (see below). The bag is a collaboration between British artist
Damien Hirst, whose paintings have sold for more than $3million, and the Olsen
twins' label, The Row.
Created out of black patent leather from Nile
crocodiles, the five-figure backpack is one of 12 being sold on behalf of Just
One Eye, which includes plain and polka-dotted versions also.
Just One Eye co-founder Paola Russo said in a
statement: 'We are longtime admirers of both Damien and The Row’s work, and our
main focus here is to nurture work between artists working in different
mediums.We couldn't have dreamed of a better way to debut
this series of partnerships.'
Signed by the artist himself, each backpack 'blurs
the line between high art and high fashion'…” (December 3, 2012)
Despite, the artistic appeal of the backpack some
critics find it difficult to appreciate “as [the pill appliqués] seem to
glamorize drug use.” (ONTD)
Personally, as an artist, I can appreciate the design of the backpack. However, as a health advocate it is important to note that prescription drug abuse is a growing epidemic with certain populations - youth, women, and older adults - being at risk. Consequently, I find the backpack to be more of a health awareness item than a fashion statement.
What do you think?
good topic and collaboration: it's a bit of a taboo that the fash-crowd and prescripted medicines go hand in hand. Adderall (originally for ADD suffers) gives a high and diminished the appetite, something very welcome in an environment where thin is better. So the topic is good and the idea addressed by Hirst too, only I'm not completely sure if the message will be understood by it's buyers. Also, I know Hirst is not opposed commercialism (that's how he grew as an artist) but to collaborate with the twins is a bit overcommercial to me. Also, the crocodile leather is a nono. Moreover, the twins always being on the border of too thin? Perhaps they use adderal or other prescriptives as well, which makes the collaboration slightly ironic too.
ReplyDeleteYou make some very valid points. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your opinion on this subject.
Deletei love that bag soooo cute!!!!
ReplyDeletewww.meryswardrobe.blogspot.com
I heard about this and would not wear the bag. It's cute without the pills. I really don't get it. I heard half the proceeds will go towards charity; why not just donate the money to charity instead? It does bring up an important issue about drug abuse.
ReplyDeleteYes, a portion of the proceeds is suppose to go towards UNICEF's efforts to help children in need...Also, I most likely wouldn't wear the bag either, but I do appreciate its artistry and the important issues it raises awareness to.
DeleteLadies, thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts on this matter.
Hmm, you know what, the bag is actually really nice...I think they could have used jelly beans and it would still have had that effect...or fake pills! I would however not pay that 5-figure amount on a bag! Also, crocodile skin,umm no no.Not unless it is faux crocodile!
ReplyDeletehttp://canneverbeaskinnybish.blogspot.ca/