BAO BAO ISSEY MIYAKE
Issey Miyake · Japan
BAO BAO ISSEY MIYAKE is the Japanese bag line of Issey Miyake, introduced in 2000. Its bags are made of small polyvinyl triangles on a mesh base that shift shape as they are filled and carried.
| Introduced | 2000 |
|---|---|
| Designer | Issey Miyake |
| Original name | Bilbao |
| Construction | Polyvinyl triangles on mesh |
| Website | isseymiyake.com |
What is BAO BAO ISSEY MIYAKE?
BAO BAO ISSEY MIYAKE is the bag brand of the Japanese design house Issey Miyake. Its products are built from a mesh fabric covered with small polyvinyl triangles, so each bag changes shape as it is filled and worn. The geometric construction has made it one of the most recognisable bag designs in the world.
History
Issey Miyake introduced the design in 2000. He first called it the Bilbao, a tribute to Frank Gehry's Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, which opened in 1997. The line has since changed in size, form and colour, and marked its 20th anniversary with a miniature model at a quarter of the usual size.
Products and positioning
The range covers totes, shoulder bags and other accessories in a variety of colours and finishes. The Lucent Metallic Tote was shown in the Victoria and Albert Museum's Bags: Inside Out exhibition. Typical prices sit in the premium range of a few hundred pounds.
Why it matters
BAO BAO shows how a single structural idea can sustain a product line for more than two decades. Its tiled construction links fashion with industrial design and has kept the brand distinct within the Issey Miyake family.
Frequently asked questions
Who designed the Bao Bao bag?
The bag was introduced by Issey Miyake in 2000, originally under the name Bilbao.
Why does the Bao Bao bag change shape?
It is made of small polyvinyl triangles set on a flexible mesh, so the tiles move as the bag is filled and carried.