Next best thing to an endorsement from Cayce Pollard?

Posted by Rob Walker on October 13, 2008
Posted Under: Products


Coolhunting notes some new products from Porter, “the famed Japanese bag maker,” that are “drawn from the William Gibson line, which is inspired by the science fiction writer of the same name.”

It wasn’t clear to me whether that means Gibson was involved, and on what level. Coolhunting says: “The shoulder bag costs $340 while the laptop bag goes for $530. The bags are exclusively available in limited numbers from Self Edge in San Francisco. The store is also planning on hosting a William Gibson party on 9 November with the man himself.”

Curious.

This led me to the Self Edge site, which has fresh news of more Gibson product.

William Gibson, always the fan of a faceless and logo-less product that exceeds all expectations; something timeless and classic that most across the world can relate to. Last week we brought you William Gibson’s Head Porter bags, and this week we’ve got his new line of Athletic Shoes.

William Gibson’s new line of athletic shoes?

Hunh.


In Self Edge’s online store, the high-tops are $168, the low-tops $158.

They do have a nice look.

I wonder if Blue Ant has a piece of this?

Further diversion may be found at MKTG Tumblr, and the Consumed Facebook page.

Reader Comments

Funny you should mention Blue Ant:

http://item.rakuten.co.jp/vari/br-jk-br11457-r/

Check the photos – this was on History Preservation’s line of Buzz WG jackets (as well as the Cayce Pollard M-65: http://historypreservation.com/hpassociates/detailpop.php?uniqnum=285 ) but has since disappeared.

Funny thing, to be sure.

#1 
Written By Ryan Tomorrow on October 14th, 2008 @ 4:09 pm

it was better when what these products might look like was left to your imagination.

#2 
Written By discoczech on October 14th, 2008 @ 5:22 pm

you obviously dont know anything about the brands. you have a brillient blog but this is pretty off….

#3 
Written By kix on October 15th, 2008 @ 11:51 pm

Can you be more specific, kix? I’m not making any comments about the brands, I’m interested that Gibson, whose work generally seems .. unenthusiastic … about consumer culture and marketing cullture, would put his name on a line of shoes. Perhaps you mean I just did not give adequate context regarding Porter and Buzz Rickson? I think it would have been a distraction from the part interested me (and that’s relevant to this site).

Thanks for the comment though.

And Ryan, thanks for that link. Very amusing.

#4 
Written By Rob Walker on October 16th, 2008 @ 7:48 am