DESIGN STORY: GET THE BAG

Stylist Akeem Smith with bags. Photograph by Vincent Dilio; Grooming by Michael Anthony.

DESIGN STORY: GET THE BAG

Stylist Akeem Smith with his hand resting on Phallus Chalice by Eric Nelsen. Photograph by Vincent Dilio; Grooming by Michael Anthony.

DESIGN STORY: GET THE BAG

Stylist Akeem Smith in a restful slumber. Photograph by Vincent Dilio; Grooming by Michael Anthony.

DESIGN STORY: GET THE BAG

Summer is finally here so why not enjoy it à la mode? Let Jamaican-born style maven and PIN–UP muse Akeem Smith walk you through three little summer style vignettes, from bags to all sorts of other riches.

THE CARRY

“I leave my baggage at home when traveling,” says 22-year-old Smith, who claims he usually doesn’t board a plane with more than a wallet and an iPhone. Which isn’t to say that when it comes to bags, the well-traveled stylist doesn’t enjoy packing some serious fashion heat. Clockwise from left to right: Konstantin Grcic, Three Bag Large, waxed cotton canvas, contrasting nylon trim (available through Maharam); Pauline Deltour, SUPER BAG, blue leather, raw linen (available through Discipline); Konstantin Grcic, Frame Bag, nylon, webbing lattice (available through Maharam); TELFAR, Shopping Bag in sizes M, L, and XL, microleather (available through telfar.net); Andre Walker, Classic Logo Bag, raw linen (available through Dover Street Market). America Oro sunglasses by RETROSUPERFUTURE. Black tracksuit by Y–3.

THE DRAPE

Normally intended for upholstery, the brand-new Myddleton fabric by Wallace Sewell also looks good draped on a body, finds stylist Akeem Smith. (“It’s the less obvious second skin,” he weighs in.) Rendered in the British duo’s signature plaid pattern, the design for the sturdy wool textile was inspired by the work of 20th-century artist Anni Albers (available by the yard through Designtex). The black Phallus Chalice by Seattle-based artist Eric Nelsen (available through Traver Gallery, Seattle), a Michele de Lucchi-designed wooden tray (Quattro Muri e Due Case, available through Alessi), and Eero Aarnio’s classic Rocket stool in jolly red (available through Artek) complete Smith’s picture of perfect domesticity.

THE DOGGY BAG

Nothing says summer like an open-air picnic accompanied by a four-legged friend. Enter PetNic, Alessi’s new travel organizer for the modern dog lover. Designed by Miriam Mirri, it comes in three different color options (green, gray, and pomegranate) and features a detachable lid that can be used as a food and/or water bowl. “I haven’t been to a picnic in years,” says Smith, who is seen napping on the Beverly duvet set from SAFE HOUSE USA’s summer collection, “but next time I go, I’ll definitely be bringing my bitch.” In his case, a six-week-old white Komondor. White cotton shirt by Y–3; Crazy 1 basketball sneakers by Adidas.

Taken from PIN–UP No. 16, Spring Summer 2014.

Photograph by Vincent Dilio; Grooming by Michael Anthony.