Acne Studios x Mulberry collaboration winter 2019
The limited-edition range marries Swedish design with British charm, breathing new life into classics from each side including the Mulberry Bayswater and Acne Studios' Musubi bag.
Small Musubi Bayswater in oak silky calf leather, £1,295; mini crossbody Messenger in pink small classic grain leather, £795
'This is a collection about friendship and our freedom as brands to do what we want to do. It is like a conversation between Acne Studios and Mulberry, one that is founded in mutual respect and a desire to make great products,' says Jonny Johansson, creative director of Acne Studios.
In a twist on the usual collaborative format and in the true spirit of creative exchange, the design studios of each respective house were given the freedom to reimagine some of the most celebrated styles of their counterparts.
Buckled Bayswater in black and tan Scotchgrain leather, £1,295; Messenger in matte black croc, £995
The spirit of collaboration goes further than the product too, with a combined logo designed so that the letters of Acne Studios sit like leaves on the Mulberry tree emblem.
In the hands of the Acne Studios design team, Mulberry's much-loved Scotchgrain bags have been made over to feature buckle straps and oversized metal hardware, bringing that signature Scandi edge to a messenger and mini cross-body satchel styles.
The Bayswater – one of the styles that helped cement Mulberry's position as purveyor of 'it bags' in the Noughties – has also been combined with Acne Studios' Musubi bag, with its signature origami knot.
Computer Case in black and tan Scotchgrain, £345; micro Musubi Bayswater in pink small classic grain leather, £850
There is also a selection of small leather goods: a laptop case, medium-sized pouch, coin purse, small zip-around wallet and a Scotchgrain lanyard. The whole collection is built with a pared-back palette: oak, pink, black, using crocodile print, Scotchgrain or grainy leather.
'There is a pure Swedishness and Englishness to the collection that I think twists the look in an interesting way. I like how they are practical and you also want to carry them. It feels good to make bags that are desirable and that also have purpose,' says Johansson.
Medium pouch in black and tan Scotchgrain, £175; lanyard in matte black croc, £90; coin purse in black and tan Scotchgrain, £135
The full collection is available now online and at selected Acne Studios and Mulberry stores.
