A highlight on the catwalk - but in everyday life? The glass bag in the test
A handbag made of glass. Is that as impractical as it sounds? Inspired by the special edition of Coperni's "Swipe Bag", I spent a week going through life with a fragile little bag.
What accessory is even less suitable for everyday use than Cinderella's glass slipper, in which she danced at a ball for the favor of a lethargic prince? I'd have to say a glass bag. Such were carried down the runway in chord during the fall/winter 2022 show of Parisian brand Coperni.
Source: Imaxtree
Visually a real highlight, no question. Whether with devil horns or baby blue gradient, the glass version of the "Swipe Bag" makes quite a statement on the wrist. Coperni teamed up with Breanna Box and Peter Dupont for the Disney-worthy accessories. The creative model pair kept their spirits up by blowing glass in struggling 2020, and began producing kitschy one-of-a-kind pieces like vases and decanters after the initial lockdown. It has since evolved into the brand Heven, freshly relocated from London to Brooklyn, New York. According to Dupont, when and at what price the fairytale collaboration will be launched for us all has not yet been finalized. So far, only a select few have been able to enjoy the glass "Swipe Bag" - rapper Doja Cat took it out to this year's Grammys, beauty mogul Kylie Jenner carries her lip gloss around in it.
Source: Instagram @coperni
Crystal clear: this trend wants to be tested
Although price etc. are not yet fixed, I'm pretty sure: The hyped little bag will blow my personal budget one way or another. Besides, I'm skeptical. A bag made of glass?! That can't last long. Ok, I still want to know exactly. So only one thing helps: test. A quick browse and a few clicks on Ricardo are all it takes, and a fragile accessory made of blue and green Murano glass is safely packed and on its way to me. Cost? Around CHF 50.00.
What do I expect?
A heavy, impractical bag that is guaranteed to be quickly damaged, chipped, if not broken.
What I get?
1154 grams is what my kitchen scale reads when I place the empty glass bag on it. My essentials - iPhone, cardholder, lipbalm, EarPods, keys and tissues - just barely fit into the narrow opening between the two rigid handles.
Source: Laura Scholz
Fishing one of these items out again as needed is more difficult. The tilt method actually works best. As soon as the entire contents have fallen onto the floor or table, I grab what I need and let the rest disappear back into the admittedly pretty-looking glass body. But for all its love of aesthetics, it's not practical - especially when you're standing at your front door and the object of your desire is the key. But what does one not do everything.
So I dump the contents of my pocket in front of the house for a few days and soon, somewhat annoyed, get into the habit of stowing the key in my trouser pocket. I'm also worried about my smartphone, which clinks back and forth between the two glass walls of the bag in a disturbingly loud manner during the test phase. Who will give in first, the phone or the bag? Spoiler: Both survive the experiment relatively unscathed.
Apart from my own skepticism, which remains stubborn, I also receive mockery rather than envious looks from colleagues. "That's not seriously your bag?", "Stupid!" and "Now it's really going too far ...", is just some of the feedback I get in the real-life comments column. Yes, I see it the same way.
My conclusion
The "Swipe Bag" made of glass by Coperni and Heven is a mega cool runway highlight and worth every single Instagram like just for the creative idea and perfect execution. However, in real life, where there is usually a bit more traffic than on the runway and for which I need more than lip care, bags made of glass are far too fragile, inflexible, heavy and cumbersome. There is a lack of storage space and the little things I can stow away run non-stop risk of being hit or vice versa: hitting the bag. Am I hooked on the mouth-blown products from Heven? 100 percent! Would I spend hundreds of francs (the leather version alone can cost up to CHF 730.00) to hang the glass "Swipe Bag" on my wrist? Never. Ever.
Always in the mood for good hits, great trips and clinking drinks.