There’s nothing subtle about Alexander Wang’s new collaboration with handbag designer Judith Leiber: It says, ‘I’ve got money.’
In fact, it says it twice. The new clutch looks just like a huge wad of $100 bills, rolled up with a rubber band around it.
It also costs a whopping $4,995.
Ta da! Alexander Wang collaborated with Judith Leiber on a new cluch, which looks like a rolled-up wad of $100 bills and is wrapped with a real rubber band
Cash money: Only 20 pieces of the $4,995 bag will be produced, as they are hand-beaded with 10,263 Swarovski crystals and take a week to make
Of course, there is a difference between carrying one of these babies and simply bundling up the cash to carry around on it’s own — for one thing, it’s a purse that can actually fit a few things inside.
It’s also covered in glittering hand-beaded Swarovski crystals — 10,263 of them, in colors like gunmetal, green, and clear — and takes about a week to make.
But while the money isn’t real, the rubber band actually is, and there is a removable chain strap that comes with it.
‘When I think about collaborations, I always try to work with people who do something that’s very specialized and who are a leader in their field,’ Wang told WWD
Glitzy: Leiber is known for her whimsical clutches, which come in fun shapes
Surprise: The uber-pricey bags have been popular since the ’90s but are quite different from Wang’s aesthetic
‘I love that we don’t normally do evening bags or do anything that’s really decorative or bedazzled,’ he added.
The bag will debut on the runway at Fashion Week this September, but Wang and Leiber will only be producing 20 pieces for customers to buy. It will be available at his New York and London stores, his website, and Saks Fifth Avenue.
Last fall, for his Spring 2017 show, Wang joined forces with Adidas Originals for a very different look — one much more similar to his casual street style.
Leiber, who is known for making glitzy and often kitschy evening bags in funny shapes, is an unexpected partner for Wang.
‘Within the last year and a half, we’ve been pushing a lot more evening capsules in our pre-collections,’ Wang added, noting that that’s included more eveningwear.
Two is bette than one? Wang has been teaming up with other designers for collaborations, including Adidas Originals
Evolving: Though the designer is known for simple, sporty streetwear, he has been attempting more eveningwear as of late
‘One of the gowns that we’ve done for three seasons now has been consistently one of the top sellers in our entire line, so we know there’s a customer for it.’
So far, the fan reaction on Judith Leiber’s Instagram — where images were posted earlier this week — has been positive.
‘Fantastic and whimsical design concept! Love it, wrote one.
‘I need this,’ wrote several others.
‘With how expensive these bags are this seems pretty accurate,’ quipped one follower.