Eastpak bags HIV Awareness

Rucksacks are having a current resurgence. Just take a look around any part of London and you’ll see them being used as part of daily life, whether it’s on the tube, walking down the street, or during the rush hour commute. But it’s not just practicality that’s bringing the rucksack back into the spotlight, because now they’re looking good too.

It’s a fantastic time for the launch of the third annual Eastpak Artist Studio, a project founded alongside the charity Designers Against Aids (DAA) to help raise HIV awareness. For the 2013 project, a wide range of artists and creatives from around the world have transformed the Eastpak brands’ iconic Padded Pak’r into pieces that vary from the abstract to the downright stylish. With the common aim to educate in mind artists were allowed complete freedom to present the piece in whichever way they wanted, and with all proceeds from the bag sales going to DAA they really are a labour of love.

Four of the fifty-six artists that took part were British, flying the flag for our homegrown talent and innovation. Visual Artist Rob Ryan, WAH Nails Founder Sharmadean Reid, Fashion Designer Simeon Farrar and London Menswear Designer Joseph Turvey, put their personality and passion for the project into designs that are interesting, meaningful and highly wearable.

Style points go to Nepco’s angelic feathery creation and an ultra-girly design by Mimi Nazan, whilst our favourite ‘modern-art’ creations include a bag shaped into a castle (complete with turret) by Athos Burez, and the Freedom Eastpak’s cage bag by Pansik.

You’ll have to be quick if you’re planning on buying a piece of design history – the bags have been available since the beginning of December and certain styles have already sold out.

Donna Knott

Read more about the artists behind the project and order your favourite creation at the official Eastpak Artist Studio page. You can also watch the Artist Studio introduction video by clicking here.