Friday 2 May 2008

The Material Boy #83




Raf Simons Eastpak Oversized Backpack

Following the footsteps of Adidas, Puma, Converse, here's the latest collaboration between a common street brand and a high profile designer. This time we see our long time school bag favourite Eastpak partnering with the ingenious Raf Simons (who did wonders at Jil Sander). Released under Raf Simon's own label, this birth child of both parties are a hot, constant runway feature on Raf Simons spring summer 2008 menswear collection. It seems the boys of Raf Simons is heavily infused with the theme of travelling and adventure. Backpacker style meets atypical innovative fabrics often matched with the highly coveted 'lego-block' sandals. And on the back of these carefree travellers are the Raf Simons/Eastpak backpack. It is offered in a variety of colours and styles.

The particular style I am recommending is all white. Raf Simons injected his ingenuity in a otherwise plain backpack and introduced a shotgun hole effect running throughout the fabric of the bag. Done in huge sizes, around three times that of a standard Eastpak backpack, it easily pass off as a travel bag for those mountain or 'rough' it out weekend trips:-) But I wonder if I will go hiking with such a pricey bag:-) Yes, the bag is not cheap. Collaboration is lucrative. A Midas touch from a famous designer could hike up demand and brand profile but most importantly pricing as well. You will be expected to pay 10 times more than a usual backpack from Eastpak. I guess transforming from common street label to cult label will see Eastpak reaping huge rewards from this gig with Raf Simons. Wonder what astronomical figures Raf Simons is billing Eastpak to get his name associated with the brand:-)

Retail price: UK 319 pounds. Where to buy: www.oki-ni.com

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi! I love your blog. Would you like to trade links? My blog is @ http://thefashionisto.com/blog

Just comment on my blog or email me: thefashi@thefashionisto.

Hope to hear from you soon!

Anonymous said...

Not worth it man. Not for 1000SGD. This is really an overkill. It doesn't even look nice. Just my opinion.

Kevin @ myMANybags said...

Hi there, fashionisto,

wow...your blog looks so professional. Well designed layout.:-) I love that you blog on some of the very interesting cult brands. It is good to let others share the unique vision these designers had.

I will comment on your blog!

yes, let's trade links.

Kevin

Kevin @ myMANybags said...

Yeah Jay, SGD1000 is way too much. That is why I thought Eastpak is smart. Now they can sell their bags for ten times the original price and raise their profile among the fashion circle and get a cult following.

smart move.

Kevin

Anonymous said...

I managed to leave orchard rd today unscathed. Keeping to my words of laying off shopping for a while.

Kevin @ myMANybags said...

Congrats Jay!:-) That is a good sign that your determination wins over temptation:-) Good job! hehe.

I managed to leave orchard road with a small purchase this sat. I only bought a duffel bag for my upcoming travels to Indonesia, Yoyakarta. It's from project shop. Like SGD$160. I need a rough it out bag that can be 'abuse'and withstand rigours of travel:-P

So not for fashion sake, but for practical sake. So not too shabby eh?

And BTW, stop buying for the time being. Sale season is very soon. in a few weeks time. I bet next month in June, Club 21 and all the big names will start sale. Watch out for Ferregamo. If they start sale, others follow in a week or 2.

Cheers,

kevin

Anonymous said...

Ha Ha Yes you notice too that Ferragamo leads the pack when it comes to sale. And Prada will usually be the last to start theirs.

By the way Projectshop lambskin bags are quite a steal. I especially like the olive green lambskin satchel/mini keep-all.

Kevin @ myMANybags said...

hehe. The true makings of a shopaholic is to observe the trend of sales season. It is the only way to ensure you pick up the best bargains when the sale starts:-)

I bought a water resistance canvas bag, sort of gym bag style...in grey with brown straps and shoulder strap. I like the multi pockets on the exterior. Good for travelling. It has a washed look. I must admit, some of the bags I seen in the shop in paragon looks good. especially the big sling bags like the style of crumpled.

The leather bags are lambskin? Oh gosh, I love Lambskin. Okay..will check it out again next weekend:-P

Anonymous said...

Yes they is a series that is made of lambskin. Very supple and well-made. You should go take a look. And they cost like less than 300bucks for a rather sizable one.

Ash said...

Hey there, I love the bags but I am dying to get my hands on the Raf Simons sandals. Do you have any idea where I can find them? I have been combing the stores here in Paris but I can't find them... it's so fustrating! Any help is welcomed, especially if I can get hold of them online. Cheers, thanks a lot

Kevin @ myMANybags said...

seems the sandals are elusive. not to mention expensive as well. I did see a pair in the local stores a while back. Dunno if they still have it. and there are so many variants, I dunno if that is the hi-cut or low cut style.:-)

If I have any news of online stores, I will let you know. I thought Paris should have everything! It's the fashion capital of the world!:-P

Ash said...

that's what I thought...My classmates and I are dying to have them. It's kind of difficult, when it's not a french brand, especially when it comes to men's apparel. well, sometimes, even the French brands do not have an extensive collection in their Parisian stores. I wonder what the buyers are doing, most probably just ticking off the items blindly. Sigh

justin said...

Hi! Love your blog alot and i come here alot to read about tips and many other stuff just wondering does club21 sell bagpacks?

Kevin @ myMANybags said...

At present, I have not seen any backpacks being sold in Club 21. Try other brands. But backpacks are not really a popular item for luxury brands. I have only seen a hadful of brands who came up with backpack designs.

Prada is a good place to try. Salvatore Ferragamo has a white backpack..but I dun like it. D&G has a nylon backpack as well..but probably sold out long time ago.

Wait for the new season. maybe there will be some available when the fall winter stock arrives.

Glad you like my blog. Thanks for all the support:-)

Cheers,

kevin