A hunting bag made from babiche, tanned caribou skin and quillwork, which dates from around 1850. It is from Canada, made by the Dogrib people.
At risk of ending up in Private Eye, a new exhibition in the Scottish capital shows just why handbags are the new shoes when it comes to cutting edge accessories.
Bags of Style, on at the Royal Museum in Edinburgh until June 19 2005, traces handbag progress from traditional form to contemporary style.
Although bags are essentially containers that address the practical needs of their users, the purpose of Bags of Style is to reveal their status as visual statements that can convey a number of attributes from cultural preference to political allegiance.
"For me, the handbag is a social document as in its constant re-invention we can track the changing roles of women," commented Rose Watban, Curator of Applied Art and Design. "From the mass produced plastic carriers to designer fashion accessories, bags are undoubtedly one of the most versatile statements of style."
Made by Mulberry in 2002, these bags were inspired by a design produced in east Africa which featured recycled bottle tops and used to raise money for HIV/AIDS charities.
The exhibition is split into seven sections, each exploring the ever sought-after handbag with a different focus in mind.
Ranging from Conceal Reveal and Made to Measure, through to Statements through Style and Icons of Style, it takes in such unusual pieces as Bilum bags from Papua New Guinea (used to carry garden produce and babies, amongst other things) and a sporran adapted by Marcus Eagleton and flaunted by Madonna.
Other themed sections include Continuing Traditions New Markets showcasing the traditional Canadian Dogrib hunting bag – made by women, used by men – which has been revived and recreated with similar materials but new decorative styles and techniques. While a Blank Canvas examines the messages a bag conveys about its owner from social status, to frame of mind or even campaign support.
"It’s fascinating to see age-old traditional forms take on an innovative and elegant twist in the 21st century," added Chantal Knowles, Principal Curator (Oceania, Americas and Africa).
"In this exhibition visitors will be taken on a journey through this transformation and hopefully leave inspired about what is yet to come from the creative world of the bag."
