Film director Ted Vadakan and graphic designer Angie Myung founded Poketo in 2003. Working as a team to set up exhibitions, it was only natural that they developed relationships with the artists over time. The duo cannot help but to realize that art is a high-end market only opened to a fortunate few, and went on to turn art into something for everyday. The wallet is their first offering ─ portable and functional. It was extremely well received and sold out in a short space of time. Poketo has already collaborated with over two hundred artists by now, including San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Nike, Arcade Fir and Weezer.
Poketo names its latest Suit tote after iconic personalities ─ famous 1950S actor Humphrey Bogart, French director Chris Marker (‘La Jetée’, filmed in 1962, is Angie’s favourite), American philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson, Pee Wee Herman (mesmerizing comic character created by Paul Herman’, Wilco band member Jeff Tweedy, Don Johnson from the TV series ‘Miami Vice’, Donald Trump… it is certainly an alternative way to interpret contemporary culture.
The two styles displayed here are Joe (in brown) and Nathan (in black). Made from second hand clothes, each Suit tote is one of a kind ─ mixture of wool suiting material and cotton shirt, even throwing in some silk occasionally; the handles are made from old leather sofa. Pockets are handy and made in just the right size to fit in iPad and such like.
Apart from being one-offs, Suit tote is the product of a charity project. The tote bags are co-manufactured by Poketo and Eco Party Mearry (non-profit organization from Korea). All profits are donated to eco-awareness education and promotion in Korea.
Text: BEBOP | Translation: dilettante
Photo: Anthony Chan
Update: 25 May 2010
