Galliano bag turns quirky

It may be sacrilege to a fashion lover to see a perfectly good John Galliano bag or Evisu jeans be painted on and "re-fashioned" by artists. But when these so-called artistic interventions result in some very exciting looks for these high-end products, one can't help but give the thumb's up.

The Galliano bag, for instance, has been wittily re-designed by artist Philip Hemnell to incorporate "Asian motifs" such as Astroboy, a rice-cooker and Oriental cloud images - giving the already chic bag an eye-catchingly quirky edge. The hip Evisu jeans has a traditional Chinese couplet painted on the back by Chinese ink artist Quek Kiat Sing, cleverly urging the wearer to "go farther in life".

And these are just two of 20 signature pieces donated by several upmarket shops in Marina Bay Sands (MBS) to be auctioned off for charity on Aug 18 for Art Outreach Singapore, as part of the Sands for Singapore Festival.

The other pieces include a funky sticker-bombed Rimowa luggage, a "vandalised" Shanghai Tang vase and handbag, as well as a David Beckham football jersey signed by the man himself.

All the pieces are on display now at the respective stores and can be bid on by members of the public.

Meanwhile, other leading Singapore artists such as Justin Lee and Vertical Submarine have lent their hand at designing some genuinely charming and funny tote bags - including one that shows a woman carrying several shopping bags, staring at the receipt and going: "Alamak!" Priced at $35, the totes are on sale at an Art Outreach pop-up store located beside Pashma, B2-K13, Canal Level, at MBS, from Aug 16 to 18.

helmi@sph.com.sg

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