Nik Bentel Studio integrates DJ equipment in acrylic handbags

New York-based Nik Bentel Studio has created a pair of handbags with speaker and mixer functions that, when used together, create a portable DJ set-up for performing on the go.

Studio founder Nik Bentel drew from the on-the-go music culture of New York City when designing the pair of acrylic shoulder bags, which nod to the equipment used by people who play music on subway platforms or the streets.

"Music plays such an integral part of NYC's creative culture, particularly in the design sphere (many designers are DJs!)," Bentel told Dezeen. "It only seemed fitting to design a fashion object for the musicians we admire."

Bentel's studio conceptualised two bags, one with a mixer and one with a speaker, that can be used together to create a mobile DJ set-up.

With clear or black acrylic options, the bags can be worn high up on the shoulder. They have a silhouette based on one of the studio's previous designs, the Tati handbag.

The void created by the strap was designed to be a perfect circle, referencing the dot in the lowercase letter I in the designer's first name, Nik.

On top of functioning as music equipment, each bag also has space for actually carrying items.

"The challenge here was to provide the highest quality hardware in the smallest amount of space possible. Gotta leave some room for ample handbag-space capacity," said Bentel.

"Considering quality and IRL wearability is an important part of our design process."

For the electronic components, Bentel worked with technical designer Swan Carpenter.

The Mixer bag has a four-channel mixer with stereo and mono capabilities and four inputs. A series of nobs on the side of the bag allow for adjustment and LED level monitors allow for real-time sound monitoring.

On the other hand, the Speaker bag can achieve more than 70 dB of output and was designed primarily for use with a Bluetooth connection. According to the studio, the five-watt speaker can be heard, unobstructed, from around 100 feet away (30 metres).

With controls meant to be simple while still providing versatility, Bentel said the bags were designed to build on impulses that combine fashion and music, and can be used by a wide audience.

"Think of concert visuals, music videos, wearing a guitar as a backpack," he said. "These handbags tell the world that the wearer is a curator, a sculptor of sound – someone who lives out-loud."

Bentel has created other dual-function handbags, including one with wheels that can be remote-controlled like an RC car. Other interesting integrations of technology into handbags include a Coperni bag created with liquid 3D-printed silicone.

The photography is courtesy of Nik Bentel.

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