Proletarian Accessories at Large in Midtown

Yesterday I was out doing anthropological research, but Paul Smith's 16th St. store didn't have any in my size so K and I went to Barneys. Truth be told, we were in the area for drinks at the Grolier Club, where we met the fine gentleman who will engrave our wedding invitations. He was absolutely charming— the very image of gin at noon over Newport harbor. I'd share his contact, save he's ours— and such perfect cuffs! But enough of that, I am a man of the people, so on with the show....

So we're at Barneys and I come across these:


Admittedly, the Industrial Circus is not the first to present this act. Trovata's canvas and patent leather bag was presented in September of 2006 as a part of their Spring collection. Alas I missed it. Sorry I was busy at Marc Jacobs that night. But a quick search of ye olde goegle reveals that whatshaute.com gave this review along with the following image:

"September 23, 2006

Trovata’s Spring ’07 runway show showed off their breezy nautical inspired collection accessorized with unpretentious duffle bags. Based on an old carpenter’s bag, the styles are unisex and were designed in collaboration with bag guru Reed Krakoff, Creative Director and President of Coach.

Trovata's debut accessories collection has the simple and unembellished feel of traditional Coach bags. The canvas body is highlighted by a metal frame, polished leather and patent leather trims. The large tote is unfussy, chic, versatile, and highly practical. The unisex styling makes it appropriate for both men and women to carry.

The handbag collection is set to debut in January of 2007, exclusively at Barney’s New York."


So this:


Became this:


Nice. Score one for the master. But even more disturbing may be the discovery that a similar bag, albeit ignorantly referenced and retold, is on the market for chic yogis. This bag from Crescent Moon offers all the feigned disdain of one's proletarian roots, without all the sweaty yoga mat holding:


Here's the math: $50 for the Klein Tools bag, $595 for the Trovata bag, and $130 for the Crescent Moon bag. Step right up, and pick your poison. But wait! It gets better. Do you know the Coleman brand?


Makers of such fine camping and outdoor gear as this cooler for $31?


If you don't know Coleman, you're a ponce who's been raised in splintered tower's of ivory, all adrip with hemlock. But more power to you now that Barneys is selling Coleman and "Thermos like products" clad in the finest of leathers, like this cooler for $600:





There's a new trend in town. But's it's not new at all, only unpublished to my eyes and ears. Well, I guess it falls under David Brooks' "Bobo" concept. People are desperately dressing down. Casual fridays ain't enough anymore. New sources are necesary, and the stuff of the working class is here to lend its hand again and again. Tool bags with sophisticated colors and materials; roto-molded thermal maintenance camping stuff clad in calf's leather. Please don't set your drink directly upon my cooler.

As for the input of whatshaute.com, somehow I missed how carrying a tool bag decorated with patent leather became unpretentious. I guess pretense only works in an upward direction. Of course! What carpenter could ever club with us and foil our casual plot?