In an impressive showcase of its Bespoke program, Bang & Olufsen in collaboration with fashion house Balenciaga, has unveiled the Speaker Bag, revolutionizing the concept of ‘portable music’.
Just seen on the catwalk of Balenciaga’s Couture show in Paris, it presents a new definition of ‘Haute Couture hi-fi’. Crafted to resemble the iconic sculptural form of Balenciaga’s handbags, the Speaker Bag serves both as an eye-catching accessory and a powerful portable speaker; offering up to 18 hours of battery life and multipoint connectivity.
The production of the bag reflects the attention both brands pay to craft. Each piece is milled from a single block of solid aluminum, before being pearl- blasted, anodized and hand-polished at Bang & Olufsen’s Factory 5 in Struer, Denmark over a period of several days to create the perfect satin finish. A door at the rear of the speaker opens to reveal a storage compartment wrapped by hand in Balenciaga’s Italian lambskin leather.
"This bag is a testament to what happens when two very special companies with an unparalleled heritage of craftsmanship join forces. Both design teams are dedicated to excellence, and I think we together created something unique,",’ says Miklu Silvanto, Bang & Olufsen's Chief Design Officer. For him, the term Haute Couture means "custom, exclusive, culture creating, art of making… By extremely skilled craftsmen."
This is a true collaboration – as Silvanto explains, "From our aluminum factory to Balenciaga's atelier to an entirely remarkable product. You have to see, hear and feel it."
The Speaker Bag has been created in a very limited edition, and will only be available at select Balenciaga boutiques and at their Couture show in Paris.
