If Telfar’s Shopping Bag wins the prize for the best it bag of the last five years, Kiko Kostadinov’s Trivia handbag wins the “Rising Star” trophy. The classic baguette-shaped silhouette of the handbag, twisted askew optical illusion effect – has become a street style staple since its launch in the London-based up-and-coming label’s Fall 2021 collection. Iris Law and Bella Hadid were both photographed wearing them, further establishing the bag’s power as a design symbol synonymous with the brand, which just presented its Fall 2022 collection at Paris Fashion Week. The mastermind behind this accessory, and Kiko Kostadinov’s line of women’s clothing in general? Laura and Deanna Fanning, Melbourne-born Australian twins who took on the role of Kiko Kostadinov’s co-creative directors immediately after graduating from Central Saint Martins in 2018.
For their latest presentation, which premiered last Saturday on PFW’s digital program, Laura and Deanna pushed the boundaries of their creative output even further, launching a collection with a particular focus on accessories. Their Fall 2022 line is inspired by stereotypical glamor and femininity, reminiscent of the 1930s and the visual ideals established during Hollywood’s Golden Age. “Our starting point was obvious references to what was happening in women’s fashion at the time – the dresses were very close fitting, all the fur and the shine too,” Laura said. O in a recent interview. The designers then reclaimed what has since become a pastiche of female expression, using humour: old-school pomp was revisited through shimmering textiles sprinkled throughout the collection, such as knitted sweaters with sequins and tinsel gloves. A literal highlight was the seasonal updates to their now-iconic bag, done in blue and green sequins.
A look at the Fall 2022 iteration of the Trivia bag.
Courtesy of Kiko Kostadinov
Joining the Trivia in their expanding portfolio of accessories is an all-new bag silhouette, which they named the Wishbone, after a custom piece of hardware that comes on the strap of every handbag. (His shape also resembles the twins’ zodiac sign, Aries.) way that spoils their function,” Deanna explained. And while these shapes – a circle, a square and a triangle – come from vintage bags, the “bold and uncomfortable” color choice, drawn from opposite sides of the color wheel, brings an unmistakable sense of modernity.
For Fall 2022, the Fannings applied their accessory design methods to the way their customers dress, incorporating jewelry as essential elements of the garment. “The bag can’t exist without the heavy hardware, some dresses can’t exist without the necklace. We asked ourselves: what does jewelery mean in the everyday sense? Deanna said, explaining that the snake chains featured on the catwalk will also be sold with the clothes. The Murano glass bead necklaces and necklaces, including their delicate take on a bolo tie, had a transformative quality and offered shoppers the ability to adjust and interpret Kiko Kostadinov’s designs to suit their personality and of their lifestyle.
But the lifestyle of a Kiko Kostadinov woman is always active, as evidenced by her choice of shoes. Laura and Deanna constantly create hybrids of sneakers and classic feminine shapes, blurring the lines between decorative and utilitarian. “This season is definitely more decorative, but it also alludes to a sporting ideal,” Laura said of the Mary-Jane-ski-boot mash-ups, which are filled with tiny bows strewn all over. Deanna added that the duo were influenced by their past collaborations with sneaker experts at Asics and took a thoughtful approach to product design from this partnership. “No decision is taken lightly – every aspect is very well documented. What am I drawing? What are the components and how best to put them together? This process breaks it all down and helps us work through it. think in detail,” she said.
While the collection is brimming with street style potential, it’s clear that Laura and Deanna Fanning have no intention of taking over the world with their designs. “We approach collection design through craftsmanship and image creation, and we know that not all ideas will translate to massive audiences. That’s not where the brand is, or what we want to do,” Deanna said. But when applied to the world of accessories, their niche strikes a balance between innovation and practicality – which is why their designs have already resonated with a wide range of fans, both A-list and otherwise. “I never really thought that what we do would fit into their orbit, but we’re glad that all these different people can relate to it,” she added. “It’s come full circle, sort of, because the idea for the Trivia bag came from a baguette bag from the 1990s, seeing all the celebrities [of that time] with them in hand. And then seeing someone like Bella or Iris Law with the bag is like the bag has gone back to the original reference.
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