Coperni's Fall 2024 Paris Fashion Week show left fashion enthusiasts in awe as the Paris-based label introduced an extraordinary accessory. The Air Swipe bag, a stunning creation crafted from air.
Renowned for their bold and boundary-pushing designs, Coperni collaborated with none other than NASA to bring this innovative accessory to life. The result? A mesmerizing egg-shaped clutch, almost translucent in appearance, reminiscent of something straight out of a futuristic fantasy.
The Air Swipe bag is unlike anything seen before in the fashion world. Composed of a remarkable material known as silica aerogel, it is 99 percent air with just a hint of "glass."
This nanomaterial, lauded for its ability to withstand intense heat and pressure, was originally employed by NASA for collecting cosmic dust.
To achieve this, Coperni enlisted the expertise of Ioannis Michaloudis, a visual artist and silica aerogel researcher at the American University of Cyprus. The meticulous process involved numerous iterations, with the Coperni team revealing to British Vogue that it took 15 prototypes to perfect.
Sébastien Meyer, co-founder and creative director of Coperni, described the Air Swipe as a blend of science and poetry, while CEO Arnaud Vaillant likened it to a magical cloud. Indeed, silica aerogel's unique properties evoke a sense of wonder, as noted by George Gould of Aspen Aerogels Inc., who described it as having an otherworldly feel and a crystalline sound when dropped.
Beyond its avant-garde appeal, the Air Swipe bag raises intriguing questions about the future of fashion. Could this be a glimpse into a more sustainable era of accessorising? As one commenter on Coperni's Instagram post pondered, does it serve the function of a bag?"
The brand assured that despite its ethereal appearance, the Air Swipe is not just for show. In a response, they revealed that it can indeed hold an iPhone, emphasizing its functionality alongside its futuristic allure.
As Fashion Month draws to a close, Coperni's creation serves as a testament to the limitless possibilities of fashion innovation. With sustainability at the forefront and the sky as the only limit, the Air Swipe bag may just be the harbinger of a bold new era in accessories.
