bag whore: kaws x nancy gonzalez

One of the reasons why I love indulge (?) in fashion is because I’m enamored with how much power such superficial (we’re just grazing the surface, here) a thing could wield in doing good. Let’s be honest for a moment, here: how much more willing are we to give to a charitable organization and participate in an ethical/sustainable effort when it involves fashion? We buy canvas totes (e.g., Anya Hindmarch’s “I’m Not A Plastic Bag,” which I snapped up once I saw a spread in Teen Vogue) and graphic tees because they promise to do their part for the world. At this point the initial reasons aren’t important; whether you bought something simply to contribute, liked the product, or thought green was the new “it” thing is irrelevant.

It’s all quite Machiavellian, really.

Is fashion the catalyst that pushes people to get involved? (Another case in point: Bryant Park’s not-so-subtle support for President Obama’s platform back in 2008, anyone?) Do we really care, or do we care because we get something out of it? Regardless of intention, fashion helped you do your part to give back, and in doing so, it becomes a message. Your message: your real time message that catches someone else’s eye. They do a quick Google, stumble upon your discovery, and make the purchase (again, reason irrelevant). Fashion – now with the help of streetstyle photographers and blogs – is your real-life equivalent to a re-tweet. It intrigues, becomes memorable, and spreads to the masses.

Machiavellian, I tell you.

Latest in the fashion world is a partnership between Two x Two, a Dallas-based organization, and the exquisite Nancy Gonzalez. Together, they’ve commissioned 10 contemporary artists to custom design Gonzalez’ signature crocodile Leaf Tote bag for Two x Two’s annual “AIDS and Art” benefit and gala auction. It’s a beautiful cause fronted by equally beautiful works of art; 100% of the proceeds from the evening will be benefiting amfAR and the Dallas Museum of Art.

But let’s humor the frivolity for a moment and indulge my bag whore-ish tendencies. First things first: collaborations with artists are the new designers-with-a-capital-D (remember Keith Haring x Nicholas Kirkwood?). Perhaps it’s a biased proclamation given my affinity for  art, but given the anticipation that had surrounded Louis Vuitton and Yayoi Kusama and the upcoming Andy Warhol collection for NARS, it’s not completely off-base.

I’ve been secretly coveting a Nancy Gonzalez since the Bag Snob girls have been covering the brand. It’s almost too classic for a girl my age still in school, but for a woman well into her late twenties and early thirties, it’s a good milestone piece to own. This particular collection, however, is more suited for a younger audience. It’s the matte white crocodile skin, serving as each of the ten artist’s canvas (literally), that gives the brand a revival of youth. It’s edgier than Gonzalez’ venture into bright-colored skins, proving that (yet again), simplicity is king, and that white after Labor Day is always acceptable.

I’ll also be honest and say that the KAWS bag was the first and only of the ten I looked at. (Sins cleared, confessions aired. Let’s move forward.) I’ve been a fan of the artist for a while now, and those signature black slashes was all I needed to see. Again, it’s the simplest of things that make the most graphic and iconic of statements.

And would look fantastic in the crook of my arm.

KAWS x Nancy Gonzalez, available Oct. 20, 2012

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Matte white crocodile was used as the skin for each tote and in turn the artist’s canvas. Whether it is Kaws’ simple black slashes or Jenny Holzer’s embossed white leather lining, each work is entirely in keeping with the individual artist’s style while still maintaining the integrity of the esteemed Nancy Gonzalez brand.