Biomimicry - of a Sort
There are many textile artists in the world who possess the skills to create bag bugs, bags that approximate the looks of the bugs yet still retain the bag necessities like straps of a distinct backpack or purse shape, but this by contrast is a bag bug. The key difference is that this is a project that was meant to be a bug first with integrated elements of a bag. The segmented underside of the bug is interrupted only slightly by the zipper, the D-Ring Connectors hang from the limbs allowing for backpack or handbag capability. The secondary pocket is hidden between layers of the carapace and even the glittering thin wings have pockets integrated into them between layers of stiff fabric stabilizer. The head even detaches and becomes a coin purse, making the whole bug a two piece matching bag set with immense storage potential. One of the most interesting pieces of design I have had the privilege to make come to life, and hopefully it is one of many to come.
Turning Sketched Possibilities into Stitched Realities.
-
Dream it.
Conceptually, I wanted the bag to have foldable wings, but by the end I knew that it would be more effective both production and storage wise for the wings to be pinned. The idea then became a matter of integration. What pockets went where and how? By the end, the Analog of Sketch to Reality was nearly one to one, with the only issues being how to effectively turn the insect fully inside out when stuffed and sewn together.
-
Build it.
The end results were two nearly identical beetle bags, a prototype and a finished product, each utilizing a central shield pattern that deviated into a segmented underbelly, main body, and segmented wing/wing shell design. This beetle bag also had the capability of being attached with O-Rings to itself to create different modes like a backpack or handbag. The addition of snaps also made the head detachable. All of these features worked to create a scarab bag that looks chic and has hidden compartments the wearer can enjoy.
This bag was a wonderful thought experiment, something whimsical that was a welcome challenge to the traditional bag model. I look forward to making more uniquely sewn objects and bags, and am always on the hunt for scrap fabrics to make each piece one of a kind.
