In fashion, inspiration often comes from unexpected places. Simple, familiar objects are turned into audacious creations. From trompe-l’œil to playful nods, these everyday-inspired accessories shift the silhouette, draw attention, and show that with a touch of creativity, even the most ordinary object can become extraordinary.
Reinventing the ordinary
In the constant quest for renewal, designers often draw inspiration from what surrounds them. A fold, a volume, can become the starting point for an accessory. These shapes may emerge from a house’s archives, reinterpreted through the lens of current trends, or be inspired by external elements.
A striking example is Celine’s Fortune Bag, launched by Hedi Slimane in 2021. This sculptural piece is clearly inspired by the shape of the fortune cookie, the iconic Chinese biscuit, echoing its delicate curve and fold. Its silhouette also recalls the furoshiki, the Japanese art of fabric wrapping. By playing with these layered references, the designer creates a conceptual object, true to his vision of refined yet sharp luxury.
At Andersson Bell, the Korean brand known for its experimental designs, the shape of a vase becomes the basis for a handbag. Shown during the Spring-Summer 2024 runway, the model was literally filled with fresh flowers, blurring the boundaries between accessory, decorative object, and artistic performance.
This season, Lacoste also embraces the art of reinterpretation, transforming its pleated tennis skirt, one of its classics, into a structured handbag. More accessible than Andersson Bell’s vase, this creation manages to combine familiarity with novelty. Widely shared on social media, the piece was a true commercial success, proving that a slightly quirky approach can also win over the broader public.
An organic moodboard
Nature and edible elements play a central role in accessories inspired by the everyday. Back in the Spring-Summer 2010 couture collection, Jean-Paul Gaultier unveiled a handbag made of leaves, a perfect fusion of nature and couture sophistication. This piece embodies trompe-l’œil at its finest: an organic, living, and fragile bag.
Under Jonathan Anderson’s direction, Loewe delights in blurring boundaries. The asparagus boot bag, now one of the house’s most iconic pieces, perfectly illustrates this desire to surprise, without necessarily aiming for mass appeal. Alongside it, a toad-shaped clutch, straight out of a fantastical bestiary, reflects the designer’s taste for unexpected references to nature.
This fascination with the ordinary extends beyond accessories. Under his direction, Loewe’s candle line has gained new momentum, built around unique vegetal scents: tomato leaves, beetroot, cucumber… Fragrances that disrupt traditional luxury codes while continuing the aesthetic of a re-enchanted every day.
Pop culture and food reinterpretation
In a more pop and provocative vein, Moschino long stood out for its taste for visual subversion, particularly under Jeremy Scott’s direction (2013–2023). From his very first collection for the house, he made a splash with pieces inspired by fast food, especially the McDonald’s universe. What followed were seasons marked by edible kitsch: candies, cereals, baby bottles reimagined as handbags. More than a single season, it was a visual thread Scott wove throughout his decade at Moschino. It was not unusual to see a bag shaped like a carton of fries, a laundry-detergent bottle turned minaudiere, or accessories echoing everyday packaging. This playful yet subversive visual language allowed Moschino to assert a pop aesthetic that questions the boundaries of luxury and consumption.
In a more nostalgic and personal register, Balmain’s Fall-Winter 2024 collection draws inspiration from a déjeuner sur l’herbe. Olivier Rousteing reimagines the pastoral banquet theme with almost theatrical sophistication: clusters of grapes become sculpted earrings, gingham recalls the picnic tablecloth, and Bordeaux snails even find their way into the jewelry.
Whether through pared-down forms or more extravagant twists, everyday-inspired accessories challenge the boundaries of fashion. By drawing on the most familiar objects, designers reinvent our relationship with style. These creations prove that in fashion, creativity knows no limits and that the ordinary can be made sublime.
