Everyone could be a little more fabulous

Social Change through Mens’ Evening Bags

Kenji Huang

This Story Starts with

ConflictPassionsPROTEST...

On November 2008

A step back for the Civil Right Movement in California

Proposition 8Passed...

Source: http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/

What can one person do?

What can I do?

Designer SolutionPeople

Designer SolutionPeople

Blue Ocean Strategy, W. Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne

Reconstructionist

Structuralist

What can one person do?

Challenge to Status Quo

The difference between the styling of men and women bags are still

apparent. Women’s bags are vibrant, colorful, and varied with textures

and silhouettes. On the other hand, bags for men are dull and

lackluster. They have the same shapes, muted colors, little details and

textures. This is a reflection of the status quo in which men are not

permitted to express themselves and their identity with fashion,

especially in the limited selection of bags.

VS.

Disparity in How Men and Women Express Themselves

Example of Selection of Women’s Bags

Source: NeimanMarcus.com

Example of Selection of Men’s Bags

What can one person do?

Make a Case

Bird of Paradise

Guppy Fish

In many species of animals, the male are more vibrantly decorated in

terms of pattern, texture, and colors. Nature shows us that males and

masculine ideals are social constructs. If males in nature are so vibrant

and colorful, why can’t we?

Male Animal Species

Presenting...

Defining the Fabulous+ brand through masculine and feminine deconstruction, encouraging social change and form language. And designing three bags for the brand.

Creating a desirable object through analysis of trend, form, materials, and function.

Everyone could be a little more fabulous

Bulky &

Too Less to

Bring Entire Bag

The Opportunity

?

With the increase in things men carry with them at all times, pockets

have become too small a storage, yet other bags are too large. There

is a lack of products that address the needs of men at night during

leisurely activities.

DAYNIGHT

Security

Attention

Impress

Structured

Portable

Sophisticated

Light-weight

Comfortable

Storage

Status

Compartmental

Professional

Functional

Need

Want

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Success Criteria

The Brand

This mind map identifies some of the qualities in creating the brand.

explorer

innovativefunctional

quality

dream

glamorous

fame & fortune

preciousconnection

unique

status symbol

satisfaction

attention

fantasy

celebrity

voguebrand

Self Importance

Statement

Royality

Escape

FutureBeing Ahead

New

Rock Star

High Fashion

Adventure Travel

Promise

Smart

Show O�

Features

WorthEnjoyment

Believing

Trying

De�ning

Paris

Hollywood lifestyle

Carefree

Happily Ever After

Self Worth

Meaning

Reward

Ful�llment

Special Society

Need

Personal

Success

Achievement

Goal

Journey

Pride

Stand out

Unapologetic

Care

Rare

++

1. 3.2.

6 Points of Form: Bold, Dazzling, Attention, Status, Fantasy, and Sophistication

Challenging What isMasculine and Feminine

Activism: Equality, Human Rights, Gay Rights

=

The Inspiration

Airy

Layered

Delicate Textured

RockerSparkle

The Inspiration

Gareth PughJohn Galliano

Dark embellishment on the sleeves with reflective characteris-tics

Unexpected and exaggerated details

Materialswith sheen

Androgynous characteristics

challenge masculine/feminine

line

Hint of color

Male iconographic cues

Trendy elements: chains

Alternative modes of storage

Internal structures

Collar inspired

Fantasy to Reality

Mens Evening Bags

The straps have a upward �aring collar, a trendy element

A popped up collar with an accent white stripe connects to the strap with an elegant contour

Curvy detail add feminineaccent

Hidden zipper

A box pleat on the collar helps it stand up on the neck

The inside of the bag contrasts the dark exterior similar to high-end blazers

A reveal of an accent color echoes inspiration of suit detail

The outer sides of the bag is a subtle burgundy hue with a sheen that changes color in di�erent light

Chain detail adds sparkle and emulates style of chains on jeans

Everyone could be a little more fabulous

Change one bag at a time

In case those weren’t fabulous enough for you: the couture version

Change one bag at a time