Dec
02
Paper Crocodile
For a while I had all these gorgeous crocodile skins at my disposal. As I kept getting new ideas for other materials, these precious hides just sat in my studio, what can I say? I was empty on ideas for how to proceed…in fact I wondered, why did I even buy these?
Well, fast forward a year later, and I still didn’t have the answer.. I always like to do my research, in terms of what kinds of crocodile bags came before. Well, maybe a google image search isn’t research, but to illustrate my point, if you just take one look here you’ll see that most of these bags are very structured and pristine. Crocodile bags always bring to mind perfectly coiffured ladies of the 50′s era, and some of the contemporary designs using crocodile are kind of antiquated (still) in a way. I always think of that Hermes bag, as if this precious material can only be reserved for the most rigorously structured, old fashioned, lady like purses…
I have to admit, I was getting tired of the ‘same’ precious treatment that crocodile hides always get. We all know what the idiom ‘Crocodile Tears’ mean.. And yes, though these hides are very expensive, who would it hurt if these hides were treated with some irreverence? Why not even go as far as to treat these hides like paper..with some nonchalance, a non-committal attitude.. Ironically, to get some much needed inspiration, I went to one of my least favorite places in the world: Staples. (Some quick photos below taken with an iphone).
One of my first memories of Staples was when I needed to get that humongous calculator, the TI-83, with my dad. I was good at math until I got to highschool, and then I completely lost it. Of course my dad wanted me to be in the AP calculus classes, but every time I tried to make those pretty little graphs after entering an equation that was ‘supposed’ to work, I always got an error screen. Getting this calculator wasn’t exactly a great memory…
The minute you walk in you see all this merchandise that’s designed to create waste. You’d think with all the technology we have right now, there would be no need for this kind of stuff, but it’s kind of reverse right? Like I still always need to print things out…even though ink costs an arm and a leg. Most importantly, everything at Staples is disposable. You’ve got tape, boxes for packages, paper, all stuff that may eventually get shredded and thrown out. But still you need tape, and those boxes. Especially if you run an e-commerce business.
But looking at these disposable products objectively, their design properties were actually quite sophisticated, very modern, and highly functional…Like the name tag cases that hand around the neck I showed above..Or even those little white sticky paper rings made to heal broken holes..My favorite element is the one pictured below, the button tie envelope.
…and finally, one of my other favorites, the greeting card envelope. Again, love that it has some origami properties, that it’s structure is built without seams.
Bags still utilize that origami method, but with these they were brought out in much softer folds, it really showcases the crocodile hide, and they are not so rigorously structured, only rigorously cut. Also, you lose the unruly, organic, beautiful properties of the hide itself if you put too much structure in the bag. I didn’t want to overdo it with the design because these bags should really showcase nature. And yes there is structure here, I mean an envelope, it’s very structured and that’s what these bags were inspired by. But fleshed out with the crocodile, you get uneven edges which I really love, it’s lines really depend on the crocodile’s sharp mountainous texture.
I tried to carry over many of those stationary elements I saw at staples, and even though I used the words ‘irreverent’ to describe the inspiration behind these bags, they were treated with meticulousness.
And definitely not disposable, each of the bags are not only constructed with crocodile, but lined with leather.
And of course I had to utilize that button tie element I saw at Staples, love it. I fleshed it out with hardware.
The bags are not seamed together, I wanted to really keep that ‘enveloped-folded’ feeling for these purses, but I did need some hardware to balance out the unruly, gorgeous pattern of the crocodile. On each side to secure the seams, I added 3 permanent studs.
(Luxirare leather jacket, Celine Spring 2011 blouse.)
These wallet necklaces were also inspired by those name tags I showed you above from Staples, the ones that hang around the neck..Except these don’t introduce you in any way, they are used as mini wallets. These are my favorite, like them more than the bag. I really don’t like carrying bags, that often times I find it hypocritical of me designing so many of them…
It fits just enough, a credit card and some cash. I like to hold my phone in my hand a lot of the times because I take photos and need it for texting/emailing.
With this wallet necklace, the wallet part detaches so that you can reattach it onto your keychain.
Each of the purses come with two straps, one for around the shoulder, and one really short just for a handle / wristlet.
Thanks so much for reading, as usual. All of the bags and the wallet necklaces are available in the shop.
OMG. my heart! j’adore! you’re just too good, i’m definitely adding these to my christmas list this year. might even break up with my boyfriend if he doesn’t buy me one like that lovely hubby did with the skirt for his wife. xo
LOVE!!!
Your inspiration here was just amazing.
I love reading about your thought process so much. When you mentioned treating a precious material with irreverence, it reminded me of the painter Andrew Wyeth. Recently I read a biography on him, and he said the same thing. His paintings sold for hundreds of thousands of dollars, and yet he still had a very similar attitude. One time he gave a painting to one of his friends, and his friend only had one frame to put it in. In an attempt to fit it in the frame, his friend actually ripped a good several inches off the side of this painting that was valued for so much money. Andrew Wyeth found this kind of irreverent treatment of the painting actually very endearing, even inspiring.
Anyway, sorry for the slight rant, but these crocodile bags are gorgeous. I love the juxtaposition of the lumpy, irregular texture of the hide with the clean lines of the envelope style.
Love it!!! Always amazing!!!
yet again another beautiful creation!
Brilliant.
Really interesting creative process and beautiful bags, the cleaness of their design exalt the details of the leather!
I like the wallet necklace. The purse…meh. It looks uncomfortable, perhaps if you would have made it a cross-body bag? Not really impressed.
^^ don’t think she lives to impress you. I think whoever is behind this blog could care less.
No need to get so defensive, you can’t impress everyone nor can you expect everyone to like something as much as you do.
you are too good
They’re beautiful! so amazing!
These are incredible! I absolutely love what you turned the crocodile skins into and the inspiration for it!
xx Lexi
FASHION: Glitter & Pearls
WEDDINGS: Glitter Weddings Lexi
Wow, just perfect! Excellent purses and key pouches dear!!!!!!! So nicely done and greatly presented. Your post is a whole visual and inspirational experience.
xoxoxo
This has a balenciaga feel to it although i feel that there are clear differences between the things you design than balenciaga. it’s good to know that one can be inspired by the things one uses daily in one’s designs.
have you considered making it a messenger “bag”/ wallet?
so pretty! you have such an eye
amazing as always! those skins are so gorgeous!!
Love the tones of the colors chosen for the material.
I don’t like the way the button tie band. It really brings the whole front of the bag down. It’s like the original band was lost and was replaced by a Goodie elastic.
I agree, and the tightness of the elastic won’t last long.
Thank you for all the lovely comments as usual, okay, back to the studio now!
The wallet necklace is just pure brilliance. Literally just created a need I didn’t know I had – and I HAVE to have one. LOVE as always – not just because of aesthetic brilliance but the clear INTELLIGENCE of design! What always floors me about your designs is, yes they look amazing, have excellent construction etc etc but what takes it that next step is the incredible attention given to having the style seamlessly go with..LIFE – which you articulate so well in your thinking processes – as always cannot wait for the next post!!
I really love the juxtaposition between the rugged skin and the streamlined envelope design of the bags. Here’s hoping that they allow crocodile skin to be imported into my country!
I think when people look back at your designs they will recognise this is as your first truly iconic piece. Simple, structured yet soft, organic yet industrial.
I love it and really congratulate you.
Sarah@Pings
this was such a fascinating post i love seeing your trail of inspiration — seriously beyond amazing
dressedupallligators.blogspot.com/
I agree. Almost as much as I enjoy the finished work, I love the intellectual/artistic vision and process. So many artists fail to understand their own motivations.
Such beautiful bags, especially the baby blue one. Sigh, if only I already have my own income I would buy one of these babies immediately without any hesitation. ♥
WhiteVeins
SO PERFECT! I hate lugging around bags because I usually don’t need a lot of stuff, just the essentials. These are perfect. The shape, those colours. Bravo!
So beautiful!
aww they look amazing!!
raspberrykitsch.blogspot.com
xx
Great job resolving this issue! I also have materials lying around waiting for the moment that I actually have a viable idea to move forward on. I like what you did here!
It’s a shame these are already sold out.
I bet you didn’t predict that would happen.
I hope you start selling that perforated jacket! Now THAT would be amazing to wear.
Insanely beautiful!
I’m afraid to say I’m not a big fan of the proportions but I really love the envelope closure. I feel that the A4 size for this particular design is more appropriate, like how I’d much rather use the psychedelic wrapper than the bag you designed. I think it would be better if you had made it into a A4-sized sling bag, or an ipad case? Great work and effort though, love your process and attention to detail as always!
@Livia
I can’t deny that I agree with you! Would love an envelope purse for an iPad too. Thanks for the critique.
The card holder is my fav, esp since you added the handcuffs on it! Would love a version of an iPad case/laptop case too though. That would be so flyyyy
Love it all. I think I would prefer the bags with a longer, cross-body chain but they are great as is too.
Crocodile isn’t quite my thing but I really like the look of these, particularly the envelope closure.
Have you ever heard of a skeuomorph? I think you’d be interested in the concept.
I think the necklace is something a lot of people could really use, concerts, dancing, anytime you need your hands free. I love that. Very nice!
the wallet necklaces are A-MA-ZING! as a suit that needs an access pass and the occasional name card to hand out, i would’ve loved one of them for christmas, for functional and edgy everyday use. too bad i was a couple days late.
please make more of these! in enough quantity that i can recommend to my colleagues as well.
I Love creativity.
“And yes, though these hides are very expensive, who would it hurt if these hides were treated with some irreverence?”
I’m glad you clarified what you meant by irreverence, but I’m surprised that of all the comments—some of which were very critical—no one brought up that these were once whole and living creatures that are now being cut up to make keychain wallets. Not just bags—but keychain wallets! In the name of full disclosure, I wear leather and consume meat, but with a certain amount of humility and reverence and never in excess. Admittedly, neither am I particularly fond of crocodiles. And I’m aware that this blog caters to a certain audience.
But it just seems so demeaning to the entity of a formerly living animal to chop it up in little pieces and embellish its skin with metallic pink leather and studs. I know this may sound like a slippery slope argument, but there’s some balance that can be struck in production and consumption. I hope this doesn’t come off as a personal attack because you are clearly a very competent and thoughtful person. I just don’t understand how it’s possible to have a little dog as a pet and then make envelopes from the skin of crocodiles? It seems that you have to suspend some disbelief to do so since the distinction between a pet and a wild animal is human-made and completely arbitrary. I could understand if it was something more “substantial” like a coat or a large tote-type bag, but for a person so attuned to the “disposable” economy created by Staples and other huge retailers, this just seems like waste to me.
love the wallets.
@anna
how incredibly hypocritical of you. your arbitrary line drawn in the sand about what animal hide can be used for is ridiculous. go ahead and make bags and coats but don’t make wallets! i’ve never heard the argument that making wallets is wasteful.
I agree with some commenters above, I, too, couldn’t see myself wearing these bags but enjoyed the thought/inspiration and design progress behind them very much.
As Livia said, I’d rather carry the wrapper, I find it very beautiful and it looks rather sturdy, so it might be used as a briefcase (when it’s not raining
? Would you consider selling them on their own?
Hi! Love your work. Especially your jackets and shoes.
This time however, hmm… I find your treatment of the crocodile skins disappointing. I think it has something to do with the hardware and how you softened the persona of crocodiles. It’s good that you’re experimenting and I love how you document your creative process, but maybe you could rework some elements of this design to toughen them up a bit. 
thankss
beauty-arabia.blogspot.com
Your ID/Wallet necklace reminds me of the Japanese buyers I work with who requested a special ID chain for their market – I think Luxirare fans in Japan would love what you have created!!
The envelope closure reminds me a bag of Celine…
The wallet necklaces are to die for!! Please make some more……I want, I want.
can you please make more Crocodile Envelope Purses!! they are beautiful!! the gray, brown, cream, and light blue are to die for. i need need need one will you ever be making more!??
Thank you for sharing your inspiration and your creative designs. We really enjoyed watching the whole process and the beautiful pictures.
We appreciate the original approach handling crocodile leather as origami paper and found the button tie element to be a genuine idea.
Very beautiful bags!