“Bags: Inside Out” – Exploring the Timeless Allure of Iconic Bags

In a memorable episode from the third season of “Sex and the City,” Sarah Jessica Parker’s character Carrie Bradshaw is mugged, and when the mugger demands her purse, she quickly corrects him: “It’s a Baguette.” This scene catapulted the Fendi Baguette to the status of the world’s first “It bag,” and it’s been a fashion staple ever since. Now, Bradshaw’s famed purple-sequinned Baguette is on exhibit in Hong Kong at “Bags: Inside Out,” an exhibition presented by London’s Victoria & Albert Museum and Swire Properties.

The exhibit, running until July 16 at Pacific Place in Admiralty, is the final stop on its international tour. It offers a comprehensive exploration of bags, delving into their history, design, functionality, and their deep-seated relationship with celebrity culture. Over 240 bags are showcased, ranging from 16th-century pieces to contemporary designs. Curator Lucia Savi and her team intentionally broadened the scope to include not just “handbags” but “bags” in all their variations – including briefcases, luggage, military bags, and wallets.

“Bags: Inside Out” unfolds through three thematic zones – function and utility, status and identity, and design and making. The first zone reveals how bags evolved from being hidden pockets under dresses to visible, decorative objects attached to chatelaines. The exhibit also presents a diverse collection of bags, including ones used for embroidery, opera-going, hunting, travel, and document transportation. The second zone explores how bags serve as symbols of status and identity, such as a briefcase instantly suggesting a businessman.

The “It bag” phenomenon, a significant cultural shift that unfolded in the late 1990s and 2000s, is also addressed, with icons like the Hermès Kelly, Gucci Jackie, and of course, the Fendi Baguette on display. This part of the exhibit further extends into the intersection of art and fashion, showcasing exclusive collaboration pieces from artists like Stephen Sprouse and Damien Hirst.

The third zone of the exhibit highlights the craftsmanship behind bags, showcasing different components like zips, clasps, fabrics, and other hardware. This part also displays pieces from Hong Kong singer-actress Kelly Chen Wai-lam’s personal collection. Chen’s cherished bags, each with a unique story to tell, are a testament to the intimate bond between bags and their owners.

In conclusion, “Bags: Inside Out” encapsulates the profound role of bags in our personal lives and cultural landscapes, highlighting their evolution from mere functional items to cherished symbols of fashion, status, and identity. Whether it’s a historic 16th-century piece or the latest “It bag,” the exhibit reminds us that a bag is much more than just an accessory.

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