Simply Abu Dhabi Magazine XVII

1 7 1 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I Aigner Bags M ore than half a century ago, the fashion designer Etienne Aigner presented his first collection in New York – and caused a major sensation. Not since the invention of the steamer trunk had there been any real innovations in travel luggage. A few years later, Aigner met Heiner Rankl, a businessman with a keen feel for the future and equally strong respect for tradition – and the cult brand of Aigner was born in Munich in 1965. This is exactly what the latest Iconic Collection from Aigner honours in its spring/summer 2015 designs. The Munich-based luxury leather lifestyle brand is celebrating its heritage by reinterpret its iconic bags in new and exciting ways – a fitting tribute to the 50 Years of Aigner anniversary. To mark the occasion, special one-of-one editions of the signature Cybill bag will be delivered to Aigner stores around the world: 50 unique versions of the bag that highlight the clear, elegant Aigner stylistic elements in a most impressive way. Each piece has its own, unmistakable look, whether handmade from crocodile leather, ponyskin or with luxurious leather embossing and in various colours frommulticolour to neon. Just as an example, the Paradisa and Flora versions (tan and green crocodile, respectively) will be sold in the Dubai store, along with several others. It’s an incredible opportunity to be literally the only person in the world with your own version of this cult classic. The main theme of the Iconic Collection is the Best of Aigner, merging the traditional, authentic craftsmanship that the brand is renowned for with contemporary fashion, style and panache to create a bag that is at once ladylike and edgy. Never before has head designer Christian Beck delved so deeply into the company archive, the label’s treasure trove, to find inspiration. Beck is consistently ensuring that the unmistakable Aigner DNA and its high standard of quality and functionality are visible in all of its products. The result: he created modern icons out of characteristic bag silhouettes through the sophisticated details, luxurious materials and innovative processing techniques, paired with the finest workmanship. High-contrast embossing and exclusive crocodile leather is combined with pop candy colours and metallic finishes; traditional saddlebags are finished with light and modern frame constructions and intelligent internal compartments; classics are refined with avant-garde fastenings and chain handles. During the anniversary year, each bag is crowned with a very special logo tag: a symbiosis of the famous trademark A shaped like a horseshoe (as a nod to the saddler trade) along with the number 50. It’s an expressive statement that both symbolises the company’s proximity to its roots and the path that Aigner is taking into the future.