The Anya Hindmarch “I Am Not a Plastic Bag”(s) just sold out of Whole Foods. That’s over 2000 bags gone before 11 am. More later…
5
posted by a
Jul 18, 2007 12:01PM
The five bags thing doesn't ring true--there's a limit of three bags per person (from the sounds of things, I don't know why it isn't one).
I hate the ebay reselling thing, even when it is for something like this that I don't want. Despite AH's protests that the scarcity is the only way to get people to pay attention to the environment, this has read all along like a cheap stunt for her company that is exploiting a cause, not furthering it. I think the environment is far from most of those people's minds when they line up, sell on ebay or bid on these bags. And what about all those people who reportedly flew into NYU to get the bags after the riots in HK (reported in today's Times and on gawker...)
Personally, I'm getting really disgusted with this bag and what it has come to represent.
6
posted by brendastarlet
Jul 18, 2007 12:50PM
Whole Foods decided to sell them only on the east coast. I stopped by my Whole Foods out here this a.m., and the clerks said you folks got the entire shipment.
Silly. I'd rather fly to Paris and get another Grand Epicerie bag from Bon Marche.
7
posted by chloe
Jul 18, 2007 1:14PM
my coworkers who live above whole foods said there were people there last night...who stands in the pouring rain for a bag to carry their groceries in?? i understand people waiting in line for sample sales, designer collaberations but for a bag that was meant to replace your plastic grocery bag?!?
sick
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posted by tmm
Jul 18, 2007 1:21PM
What's wrong with these people? Can you say Herd Mentality? I would stand in line overnight for a free Birkin perhaps, but never a damn grocery bag. Besides, I have three FREE cotton totes from Barney's Coop to use at the local WF. Go buy yourself some cute jeans (huge sale) and get your free tote on.
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posted by Corey
Jul 18, 2007 2:35PM
I think whole thing is great. I don't think Anya H. had any idea this would snowball the way it did. Like phenomenon three summers ago of the Wear Yellow original rubber bracelet, people are just responding to a product that has a bit of soul as well as trendiness.
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posted by Chloe
Jul 18, 2007 3:35PM
I disagree. I don't think people are responding anymore for the cause but more for the appeal of carrying that bag. People that actually cared about the cause started carrying around similiar tote bags a long time ago. If the purpose of this was to create awareness then put the bags all over New York...don't announce that they are going on sale and there are only 2,000 etc. etc because then people will wait on line for hours and it will turn into this trend. The fact there was a limited number makes the whole having a bag thing 'exclusive'. Caring about the environment has nothing to do with this.
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posted by Jen
Jul 18, 2007 3:40PM
Was anyone else over these bags long before they got to NY (just because of the hype and the kind of people you knew who would carry them)? I remember the other day, going into whole foods and pointing out the sign for the bags to my boyfriend (who is from London), and his only response was, "I thought those were over already?". I agree.
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posted by Corey
Jul 18, 2007 4:12PM
I agree that this is a trend-driven craze (with not a few people just grabbing them to resell on ebay). Still, popular culture is an important force for creating change, be it the Summer of Love, punk rock, "Maude," Nirvana, Michael Moore, or Anya H's bag. Anyway, you can bet MOMA already has a couple for its Design Collection.
posted by Chicanduntroubled.com
Jul 18, 2007 10:29AM
Damn...