In 2000, the first designs of the Bao Bao bag were presented in the market and were first called “Bilbao” by Issey Miyake which is a tribute to the Guggenheim Museum designed by the talented architect Frank Gehry that has been made available to the public in 1997.
The Bao Bao bag is usually used by persons in the arts and creative industry as it symbolizes an astonishing engineering accessory.
From the layered mesh material with polyvinyl small triangles that is forming a unique shape every time the bag has been stuffed with items – it will transform into countless different shapes.
In 2010, a Bao Bao Issey Miyake was introduced as a separate collection that has been modified into different colors, sizes, and forms however, it never received the hype like the other iconic bags as it appears to be more of a convenient bag rather than an aesthetic one.
From the triangles, the designs of the Bao Bao Issey Miyake bag have introduced shapes such as arrows, lightning bolts, rectangles, squares, etc.
What Is Bao Bao Bag Made Of?
What Is Bao Bao Bag Made Of? – Fake vs Real Bao Bao Bag
Bao Bao bag can be called a shapeshifter due to its unique design and incorporation of both engineering and art which makes it a versatile bag that can be carried all day.
Bao Bao bags are made of a unique material called “triangle” or “polygon” material. This material is made of small triangular or polygonal pieces of vinyl that are attached to a flexible mesh backing.
The vinyl pieces are designed to move independently, allowing the bag to be reshaped and reformed in different ways. The material is lightweight, durable, and water-resistant, making it ideal for use in bags and other accessories.
Bao Bao bags are known for their distinctive geometric designs and versatility, as they can be worn as shoulder bags, crossbody bags, or even backpacks.
Rather than aesthetic, one component of what a bag should have is its sense of functionality that can be used on multiple occasions and these Bao Bao bags by Issey Miyake has it all – the materials used to create this bag are iconic.
From how the Bao Bao Bag has been designed, you can tell that Issey Miyake has incorporated the minimalist Japanese aesthetic and modernity in the bag.
Starting from the small triangles made of resin that are sewed to a delicate mesh material that can be collapsed and folded into unlimited ways that can mold the bag into a new form just like Origami (Japan paper folding art which turns into different figures, forms, and shape)
The Bao Bao Bag by Issey Miyake has added several designs from its primary design (the Prism) which includes Slash (triangles that are mirrored), and Platinum (triangular designs that are much smaller than the prism).
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How Can You Tell If An Issey Miyake Bag Is Real?
How Can You Tell If An Issey Miyake Bag Is Real? – Fake vs Real Bao Bao Bag
In the modern day, once an item hits off the market and it becomes well known, rest assured that counterfeits will always be in its shadow and the Bao bao bag is not an exemption from this.
Issey Miyake’s brand has been on top of tracing counterfeit items legally in order to prevent illegal and unauthorized creation and distribution of his unique creation – this can be reported to them in order to combat counterfeit products
Most of the time the counterfeit bags of Bao Bao by Issey Miyake are unnoticeable as they are deemed high-quality and the differences from the genuine ones are unnoticeable.
Here is how you determine authentic from fake Bao Bao bags:
1. Check the Logo Inside The Bag
The Bao bao bag should have a shiny tiny logo on the inside that is clear and only usually can be found on one stud so if you ever received a bag that has a matte stud, do not hesitate to go to their website to authenticate
2. Inspect The Handle
Authentic Bao bao bags have a much thicker handle than the fake ones and in order to compare it personally you will have to own an authentic one as Bao bao retailers and authorized stores do not provide product authentication.
3. Imperfect Geometric Shapes
You can always expect Japanese Brands to have the highest level of quality products and this includes the Bao Bao Bag by Issey Miyake.
Pay attention to the shapes of the collapsible bag, they should have a perfect pattern, and all of them should have the same size, if you noticed an irregular one, the bag you have is fake.
4. Check the Stiffness Of The Bag
It is always wise to purchase the Bao Bao bag in their stores and their authorized resellers however, since the demand is high and supplies are low, a lot of customers are tempted to buy online.
You have to ensure that when you receive the bag, it is soft and can easily collapse because most counterfeit bags are kind of stiff and hard to fold.
Can I Wash The Bao Bao bag?
Can I Wash The Bao Bao Bag? – Fake vs Real Bao Bao Bag
Even if the Bao bao bag did not classify as a high-end luxury bag, it is still quite expensive and must be taken care of properly in order to last through time.
If you head to Issey Miyake’s website, you will find the care instructions and proper storage of the Bao Bao Bag.
You cannot wash the bags just like clothes because it is made of a delicate mesh material and polyvinyl resins that might take off when you wash them off.
When stained, do not use thinners, detergent, benzene, etc it is best to go to a cleaning professional to have it cleaned in order to avoid ruining the material.
It can be cleaned by wiping the dirt with a soft damp cloth until the dirt has been removed, after that hang it dry.
With regards to storage, you must always put it back in the dust bag it comes with, take it away from any sun exposure, and store it in an area that is well-ventilated.
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Why is Bao Bao so expensive?
Bao Bao bags are considered to be relatively expensive compared to other bags because of several factors:
Unique design: Bao Bao bags are known for their unique geometric design, which is created using a special material made of small triangular or polygonal pieces of vinyl. The design is complex and requires a lot of attention to detail, which can drive up the cost of production.
High-quality materials: Bao Bao bags are made of high-quality materials, including unique triangle material and high-quality zippers and hardware. These materials are durable and long-lasting, but also more expensive than cheaper materials used in other bags.
Brand reputation: Bao Bao is a popular brand that is known for its unique design and high-quality materials. The brand has a reputation for producing high-quality bags that are both stylish and functional, which can make them more desirable and valuable to consumers.
Limited availability: Bao Bao bags are not widely available and are often sold in limited quantities. This exclusivity can drive up the price of the bags, as they become more desirable and valuable to collectors and fashion enthusiasts.
Overall, the high cost of Bao Bao bags is due to a combination of factors, including their unique design, high-quality materials, brand reputation, and limited availability.
While they may be more expensive than other bags, many people believe that the investment is worth it for the high-quality and unique design of the bags.
Is a Bao Bao bag worth it?
Is a Bao Bao Bag Worth It? – Fake vs Real Bao Bao Bag
Several reviews have been made via Youtube regarding the Issey Miyake Bao Bao bag, some of it is positive and some are negative depending on how they plan to use the bag but overall it is quite a handful and a convenient bag.
It is proven that the Bao Bao bag is made to carry a lot of items due to its design being collapsible and unique.
Bao bao bag price ranges from $295 up to $1300 which can still be quite expensive but definitely worth it due to its convenience, versatility, and minimalist design.
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