Fanny pack, bum bag, utility bag, belt bag – it has many names. An accessory brought to us with the 90s era aesthetic revival, it has become the new wardrobe staple. 

When the capricious lady called the fashion industry annoyingly threw at us the new fanny pack trend, I sighed realizing that it’s another trend that I won’t accept. But look at me now, I’m a person who can’t leave the apartment without my fanny pack. How did it happen? After meditating on this topic, I’ve realised that the reason for my unacceptance lies in association. If westerners usually associate fanny packs with sporty people, tourists and dads, for Russians the image is not that colourful. As for me, the belt bag is associated with a bus conductor, a tired woman trying to make her way through a crowded bus. 

 As for now - after replacing mundane associations with colourful fashionable ones - I proudly walk around the city with my belt bag. I can’t help but wonder about how fast this trend happened to spread. Because even small kids are riding around on bicycles and rollers with fanny packs. Like, damn it, fashion is really powerful. Also, belt bags are really alluring, and there are some reasons for it. 

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Dropping my #GIRLCRUSH gingham fanny pack & bucket hat this friday..oh yeah and the hat is reversible 😘💖💕💗🦄 #goodforyou #girlcrusheveryday

Публикация от Irene Kim 🦄 아이린 (@ireneisgood) 22 Авг 2018 в 5:59 PDT

For anxious people with their heads in the clouds, probably composing a fashion article in their heads while they’re walking, fanny packs actually spare their nerve cells. You don’t have to think about securing your bag and constantly pulling it closer to you. Because it’s just there, literally on your body, in your eyesight. As a result: cortisol levels are normal and you’re feeling cute and stylish – ah, all those little joys in life. 

On top of that they’re hella functional: small yet roomy they free your hands. Nice bonus - you don’t have to fix them on the shoulders. Also, if you just need to grab some essentials like phone and keys, but don’t feel comfortable with stuffing with them your pockets – fanny pack to the rescue. 

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블링크 어제 오랜만에 가까이서 볼수있어서 정말 너무 즐거웠어요! 저희 열심히 월드투어 마치고와서 이렇게 또 따뜻하게 맞이해주셔서 너무 감사합니다. 앞으로도 우리 이렇게 자주 만나요! 사랑해요🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤

Публикация от ROSÉ (@roses_are_rosie) 1 Июл 2019 в 12:13 PDT

We’re finally getting to the fashion part, yay! Because no matter how comfy and functional things are, fashion is mostly about self-expression through visual aspects. And bum bags can easily provide you with that. Modern designers made sure that you would be able to find one that will fit you, presenting a variety of leather and textile variants. They’re like a good pair of sneakers that can be combined with both sporty and classic looks and silhouettes (of course, only if you choose and mix wisely). You can pull off both sporty or more classy looks wearing a fanny pack with a sleek pantsuit. 

Better than talking about everything in theory, I think we should look at some examples. I’m certain that many of you have already seen dozens of photos with western celebrities wearing belt bags, so I’m going to illustrate this trend with some Korean idols. 

While everyone is going crazy for Euphoria and the make-up in this hit series, I’m just here watching Koreans rocking glitter stickers and rhinestones like no one else - both men and women, by the way. They sure know how to sparkle.

Kim A Hyun for Ceci Korea

Honestly, I’ve become obsessed with this kind of make-up and considering I’m not one to follow make-up gurus on Youtube and Instagram, it’s pretty surprising. I just like how it’s out of mundane contouring, creating a mask make-up routine that is popular nowadays. And it just looks pretty! Sparkling freckles created by tiny shimmering crystals and glitter under the eyes add a touch of fairytale-ish fantasy to a look and kinda makes you step out of your make-up comfort zone. You can go for some bright accents or choose a pastel pallet — both will look quite magical and eye-catching.

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<RED> 8/13 6PM

Публикация от 김우성 (@iwoosung) 11 Авг 2019 в 9:26 PDT

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BBIBBI 100million view!! 추카추🎉💜

Публикация от 이지금 (@dlwlrma) 15 Июл 2019 в 8:46 PDT

 Shine bright like a diamond or a Sailor Moon’s Moon stick — it depends on what you prefer — and good luck with pulling off that magic powder make-up! Also, don’t forget to get inspired by your favourite idols.

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Mystical moon for #coachella day 2 🌙✨

Публикация от PONY 포니 (@ponysmakeup) 15 Апр 2018 в 2:32 PDT

Land of the rising sun, where blooms of the sakura attract thousands of viewers from all around the world, a place were traditions and modern views easily coexist. We are in Japan. It is impossible to imagine culture of the modern world without Japan’s gifts of karaoke, sushi, anime, ikebana and much more. Also, I guess many children were raised or at least have seen the Pokemon or Sailor Moon cartoon TV series, including me. Although Japan was an isolated country for a long time, the first cultural tsunami wave had reached western world in 1862 after International Exhibition in London, which caused appearance of the phenomenon Japonism. Japanese influence spread everywhere, from interior design to art, especially in French impressionism, and even affected Van Gogh’s work. To the fashion sphere, it brought traditional Japanese attire-kimono and geisha image.

It's not a secret that Asian motifs are becoming more popular in the fashion world than they used to be. It seems that western designers have really gotten interested in this theme and are enthusiastically adding them to their new collections. However, it's not a new tendency. Western civilization always treated Asia as if it's a whole new world – exotic, mysterious, and thus beckoning.

Caprice in Purple and Gold: The Golden Screen by James Abbott McNeill Whistler

Mysterious and exotic Asia, an inspirational world with ancient traditions, philosophy and a different understanding of the world. Lands of peaceful religions, where physical strength cannot be achieved without a strong mind and inner harmony. Lands of philosophers and calm, where observation and steadiness give you more than a basic everyday rush. Most of all, a land where humans and nature are one.

Since ancient times western people have been attracted to Asia for many reasons: political, economic and, of course, cultural. Nowadays, countries such as China, Japan and South Korea still excite people around the world with their distinctive and authentic culture. People are seeking peace, harmony and inspiration in such countries, and a breath of fresh air; designers are no exception. I have noticed that season by season eastern references in fashion collections have been increasing; from small Asian details to whole Asian-themed and inspired collections. The Metropolitan Museum exhibition “China Through the Looking Glass” and the spectacular Met Gala 2015 event only confirmed my thoughts

Following steps of fashion luminaries, I want to invite you on an exciting fashion journey through time and space, to China, Japan and South Korea. I will try to study the main idea of their traditional clothes, their modern influence and perhaps predict some future trends. Let's go!

Do you hear that loud drum beat? Where are we? The country with the highest population, first place in the world in textile production at 35%, with the most rapidly growing economy in the world, that's all modern China. We cannot imagine modern fashion and textile without this country. However, China can give us more than cheap textile and clothing production: specifically, a never-ending source of fashion ideas and inspiration.

The celestial empire is one of the most ancient of the world's civilizations. A bright and enchanting culture with a rich and absorbing history; it couldn't help but affect on national clothing. It had been developing since the second millennium BC to the collapse of the Chinese empire in 1911. Changing dynasties which had their own style and clothing rules; different cuts, decoration, even different meaning of colours. Layer by layer, clothing traditions of different dynasties were creating original and beautiful variations in traditional costume. The Chinese fashion timeline illustrates which historical stages the country has been through: for example, Mongolian influence during the period of the Yuan dynasty, or Manchurian clothing traditions which were imposed on Chinese people during the Qing dynasty. Despite all this diversity in style of Chinese traditional attire, people associate China with only a few wardrobe subjects, which became the country's symbol and have been reflected in many designers' work.

When I think about China, I immediately imagine a beautiful picture of untouched nature, and women in long gowns with wide sleeves fluttering in the wind. These cinematic associations are the result of many hours watching Chinese movie masterpieces, which I think only encourage my costume history study. And after this game of associations, we can mark the first Chinese costume essential: Hanfu. A long crossed collar robe with wide sleeves and a 3000 year history that became a traditional Chinese gown for 20 centuries until the reign of the Qinq dynasty. The only thing left from this majestic gown in modern interpretation is crossed collar, which became absolutely independent. Nevertheless, it was used in the Asian-inspired Proenza Schouler and Rag and Bone collection in a/w’12, and also in Haider Akerman s/s’11.

However, above all spectacular gowns is the cheongsam dress, with one more movie association “In the Mood for Love” by Wong Kar Wai, where the female lead wears different variations of this beautiful dress. Body hugging silk dresses with the a mandarin collar and frog buttons are a result of a mix Manchurian, Chinese and western clothing traditions. The origin of the Cheongsam was the changpao dress, which became traditional Chinese dress with the Manchurians conquest. As a great example of Asian style adaptation and symbolic Chinese clothing it has many different fashion variations: it has appeared in many collections, TV shows, movies (not only Chinese period dramas) and on red carpets. A very elegant version of cheongsam was presented by one of the most famous Chinese representatives in the fashion world, Jason Wu, in his fall-winter 2012 collection which praised Chinese clothing heritage. Another beautiful feminine variation of this dress is from Zuhair Murad Haute Couture Fall’11 with one more Chinese basic essential dragon embroidery, light textiles with a slight hint of the Japanese obi belt. Embroidery is a very important part of Chinese clothing - not just decoration, but detail with deep meaning and a complex art. It could be a protection, but first of all it is a sign of status. It is well known that the emperor wore a gown with dragon embroidery,  symbolising wealth, strength and power. One of my favourite brands that love Chinese references is Valentino, since the fall-winter Shanghai collection and between Slavic-inspired collections,  there were always little signs of Chinese fleur, for example, the pre-fall’16 collection reminds me of theTang Dynasty costume with its cropped jackets and transparent light fabrics and again - gold mighty dragon!

All these facts are just a tiny part of a huge centuries-old culture, but the thought that such a country and culture exists makes me very inspired and curious - what else we can find there, what else we can discover? I hope that designers keep digging and find lots of subjects for Chinese clothing which will later be adapted for the catwalk.

Filled with right Qi and millions of beautiful and spectacular images and ideas in our head, we can say xie xie (thank you)and zai jian (bye-bye) and move forward!