Go ahead, paint on my designer bag

Luxury handbags have become the canvas of choice for artists and art lovers

- Aaron Kok

After the adrenaline rush and joy that come with the purchase of a new bag fade away, for many people, their beloved purses take on a different role.

Beyond the colour of the leather or the fanciful handle design, people need their bags to work for them. The bags ought to be practical enough to carry daily essentials, versatile enough that they can be worn with a variety of clothing, and durable enough that some clumsiness would not result in heartbreaking damage.

Yet, in the converging paths of art and fashion, it seems like bags have found a new role for themselves. For a select few clients, they have become canvases for iconic artists.

Capucines bag that recalls Gehry's penchant for curving walls and angular shapes in his architecture projects, these rare pieces presented the best of his repertoire with the revered skills of Louis Vuitton's artisans. "I'm glad that big fashion houses are willing to take the risk of paying homage to certain artists," says Filipino actress Heart Evangelista, who is also known for her marquage artworks that she applies to her handbags. "Sometimes, it's nice to celebrate the expression that art and creativity gives you."

The 39-year-old star's marquage journey started when she had an accidental spill on a lizard skin Birkin bag, which left a mark that could not be removed or covered up. "I decided to use art as a way to cover it up, and from there, my whole exploration of painting on bags began."