A bag made from 99% air: the new invention from the Coperni duo
The Coperni creative duo of Sébastien Meyer and Arnaud Vaillant embody innovation and modernity in the contemporary fashion industry. Their meeting is a true fusion of talents and visions that has given birth to one of the most influential brands internationally.
In 2013, they founded Coperni, paying homage to Nicolaus Copernicus, the revolutionary astronomer whose theories turned our perception of the universe on its head, reflecting the duo’s desire to defy convention and reinvent fashion codes. Since then, Coperni has rapidly gained recognition for its innovative collections and avant-garde approach.
Closing the Spring/Summer 2023 show with Bella Hadid wearing a dress made using spray-on fabric technology and robot dogs parading down the catwalk at the Autumn/Winter 2023-2024 show, Coperni continues to make its mark by unveiling memorable catwalk shows. The brand then reinvented its iconic Swipe Bag as a CD player, once again demonstrating its ability to rethink fashion in innovative ways.
The Swipe Bag, often worn by celebrities such as Kylie Jenner and Doja Cat, is closely associated with the Coperni brand. After creating a model made entirely from glass in the south of France, the fashion house presented the “Meteorite Swipe Bag”, designed from a meteorite that has fallen to Earth, once again highlighting the innovation that characterises its creative identity.
During Paris Fashion Week Autumn-Winter 2024-2025, Coperni unveiled its latest collection on 4 March, featuring elements such as transparency, fur detailing, aluminium dresses and skirts, and blazer-culottes. However, one accessory in particular caught the eye: the Air Swipe bag, a variation on the brand’s iconic Swipe model, inspired by space technology.
The bag is visually captivating with its semi-opaque bluish and white reflections, but its most striking feature is its unexpected material. Called the Air Swipe bag, it is made from silica aerogel, a material used by NASA to capture stardust. Weighing just 33 grams, the bag is 99% pure air and 1% glass. Despite its lightness, it is capable of withstanding extreme temperatures of up to 1,200 degrees and pressure equivalent to 4,000 times its weight. This technical feat gives the Air Swipe bag a resolutely futuristic look.
The development of this piece was led by Professor Ioannis Michaloudis, a specialist in the intersection of art and science. The research and development required to create it took over two months. Despite what its appearance and composition might suggest, the bag is neither cloudy nor fluffy; in fact, it’s quite hard-wearing.
During the design process for the Autumn/Winter 2024 collection, Sébastien Meyer, co-founder and creative director at Coperni, was intrigued by Aerogel. As a designer who wants to push the boundaries of art, Meyer couldn’t resist the opportunity to explore this unusual material.
