Issey Miyake Bao Bao Lucent Bag – White

The Lucent is the flattest and most graphic thing in the line, and the large triangles are why. Where other Bao Bao models use small tiles that produce a fine, almost pixelated faceting, this one uses big ones, so the surface resolves into a handful of bold planes rather than a mass of tiny ones. At just over thirteen inches square and barely two thirds of an inch deep, it is essentially a flat sheet that happens to be a tote, and it folds and flexes along the seams between triangles as it is carried. Adjustable straps mean it can sit at the shoulder or in the hand. Season-less is the right word for it: there is no material here that reads as summer or winter, no hardware to date it, and nothing about the geometry that belongs to a particular year.

The colour

White is the version where the geometry is most legible, since a pale surface holds the shadow lines between panels clearly and the triangles read as a drawn pattern rather than as a texture. It is the more graphic of the two and the more demanding to keep.

Sizing and dimensions

13.3 x 13.3 x 0.70 inches. Adjustable straps. A flat square tote, deeper in practice than the stated depth once loaded, since the panelled construction flexes.

Large triangles give a much bolder read than the small-tile models, and a flat square tote is the most useful shape a bag can be. The adjustable strap means it does two jobs.

Made in Japan, in white. Large triangular panels, mounted so that they flex against one another rather than holding a fixed form, with adjustable straps.

White and geometric against dark clothing is the sharpest way to carry it. Because the depth is minimal, it suits a flat load rather than a bulky one.

Wipe clean with a soft damp cloth rather than laundering, and keep it away from heat, direct sun, and solvents. A pale surface will show marks, so wiping it promptly is worth the habit. Store it flat. Our fabric care guide covers PVC, coated cloth, and bags directly.

The same bag in black is the sibling colourway. Then the Carton Shoulder Bag, which is the zip-top version of the same idea. There is more on the house on the Issey Miyake designer page. Everything we carry from Issey Miyake is listed together.