Coperni Unveils Working Bag Made Out Of 99% Air, Built On NASA Material
Image via Coperni
Coperni is making carrying the weight on your shoulders a thing of the past. The Parisian label that brought us inventive pieces like Bella Hadid’s unforgettable spray-on dress is back with another fashion first: the Air Swipe Bag, presented at its Fall/Winter 2024 show. This see-through wonder is composed of 99% air and 1% glass—and is, believe it or not, functional.
The secret ingredient in this space-age, egg-shaped clutch is silica aerogel, a nanomaterial used by NASA nicknamed “frozen smoke” for its airy, sponge-like texture. Professor Ioannis Michaloudis, the brains behind the bag, harnessed this ultralight material, often used by the space agency for capturing stardust, to create the largest object ever made from it.
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Despite its delicate appearance, don’t be fooled—silica aerogel can withstand extreme heat of up to 2,192°F and a pressure of 4,000 times its weight. So, while the Air Swipe Bag might look like it could be whisked away by a strong breeze, it’s frankly quite durable.
Coming in at a feathery 33 grams, the Air Swipe Bag—based on the brand’s iconic Swipe silhouette—is also surprisingly functional, all things considered. Measuring 10.6 x 6.3 x 2.3 inches, it has enough space for your essentials, proving that experimentation and practicality can go hand in hand.
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It’s not cut from the same cloth as the typical handbag, which ignites some questions about eco-friendly opportunities in the industry. If a purse can be made practically out of air, it opens up new possibilities for reducing the environmental impact of fashion production and consumption.
It makes one wonder: what other unexpected materials could we be wearing next?
[via The Cut and Harper’s Bazaar, images via Coperni]
