A bag becomes something completely different when worn by different personalities – similar to how no one is perfume smells the same in two different people. To test this idea, we invited four different artists to style the same bag according to their style and personal style for a day, while imagining locations across LA where they will wear it. A bag? Acne Studios riveted wine bag from the brand's spring/summer '24 collection. It feels like a bag that's tough enough to withstand a long day in LA and light enough not to drag you down.
In the fourth part of seriesmultidisciplinary artist Gage Crismond noticed something in the bag that was always present in his personal style: utility. For Crismond, choosing an everyday outfit is driven by the goal of being “functional and comfortable,” especially as he moves from different creative methods including choreography, creative direction, tattooing, designing, making music and acting. He took us on walks around the neighborhood with his dog Rae and his Acne Studios bag in tow.
Who are you and what do you do?
What I do is everything. I am a multidisciplinary artist, focusing on dance and movement. That's why I came to LA. But man, I do photography, I model a little bit. I lightly participate in some acting and music composition. I've really focused on my creative direction and tattooing, that's my main thing [lately]. I always list these because I don't want to sell myself short.
Describe your personal style.
Highly functional and comfortable. I really like the durable material. I really like the thick and layered material. I'm very simple. Straight to the problem. I really don't like brand logos and things like that. I would say comfort and convenience is the easiest breakdown.
Gage wears Ugg platform boots, borrowed and thrifted camouflage pants and shorts, F-ed at Birth shirt, KISS RED Bow Wow Power Wave durag, Pro Club beanie, vintage ring.
I'm very simple. Straight to the problem. I really don't like brand logos and things like that. I would say comfort and convenience is the easiest breakdown.
— Interdisciplinary artist Gage Crismond
Talk to me about dreaming up an outfit around this Acne Studios bag.
The bag itself was so sturdy that I just thought: “How is this possible? I Looks good with the bag, right?” instead of “How can I do it a bag looks good?” I just felt like it was the perfect level of fussiness. It was so silver and shiny that I knew I could incorporate something unique, like the bag, but without standing out too much. . I said, “Okay, let me create some layers and maybe some different patterns.” And then keep a really clean shirt because of culture. When I saw the bag, I thought, “Oh, it reminds me of that big metal Craftsman. [toolboxes] but it only has silver rivets on it.” That's what I get from it – this is a utility bag. It's definitely not an ordinary wallet.
How does a sense of place inform a sense of style? How do you travel through LA with an idea of style?
I don't mean to rebel, but I don't think about it. I think that's why my style stands out. Since I came from Michigan, I always thought, “I'm not going to dress differently or change anything.” Maybe I'll be influenced by other brands, influenced by LA culture – it's obviously warmer here. But other than that, I will always keep my snowboarding style. Just staying true to my Michigan roots. That's the reason for the camouflage, the Ugg boots. I will wear shoes until they have holes in them. That's the convenience point.
Producer: Pure studio
