It truly is the most wonderful time of the year: Eastpak has lifted the veil on all twelve of this year’s unique Artist Studio backpacks, which benefit non-profit Designers Against Aids in their crucial cause to raise HIV/AIDS awareness. This is the fifth time this commendable project has been done (#throwback: KNOTORYUS also designed a bag for the 2012 edition), providing your favourite designers with a blank Eastpak canvas to go ham on.
The class of 2016 is a panoply of fashion industry vets, current high-flyers and one wild card entry. You’ve got your Kenzo, Vetements, Nicopanda, Christopher Raeburn, Alexandre Mattiusi (AMI Paris), Wanda Nylon, House of Holland, Jacquemus, Giambattista Valli, Alexandre Vauthier, Inan and newcomer Zeba Safdar. Gang’s all here. There’s really something for every taste, whether you’re into daytime sequins (AMI), a neon Eastpak (Wanda Nylon) to hoist next to your Tracey Emin or a white oblong bag (Jacquemus) to get you from A to B. A personal favourite is the Vetements design, featuring an oversized version of the HIV/AIDS solidarity red ribbon cleverly worked into the bag’s straps.
Nicola Formichetti’s Nicopanda
Wanda Nylon (get into to their great SS17 collection as well)
Inan (by Berlin-based designer Inan Batman)
Giambattista Valli (or ‘Giamba’, as Rachel Zoe used to say)
Wildcard entry winner Zeba Safdar
You can bid on your favourite bag via artiststudio.eastpak.com on December 1st 2016 (World AIDS Day).
All proceeds go to Designers Against Aids.
