Renowned for her work on the jewelry in “Black Panther,” Julia Koerner, an award-winning Australian designer, merges nature with computer algorithms in her creations. Her handbags, available on her website, reflect this fusion, embodying a strikingly unique aesthetic. Utilizing algorithms and 3D printing, Koerner crafts bags that are both sturdy and visually airy, featuring a skeletal design reminiscent of alien forms. Despite their otherworldly appearance, Koerner draws inspiration from nature, with this bag specifically inspired by the shape of dried kelp found along the Pacific coastline.
The Kelp Mini handbag was made by scanning real kelp in 3D, then adjusting and shaping it into a handbag style. It’s mostly made of 3D printed plastic, using resin-based printing for smooth, glossy surfaces with very few visible print lines.
The bags have a unique hinge at the base and a clever clasp at the top made of interlocking parts. The chain hooks inside to keep the outside neat, while passing through openings. The compact, firm design doesn’t hold much, so small items might slip out, but it’s great for essentials like coins, a wallet, lipstick, and sunglasses.
The bags are made from sustainable plant-based material and printed using solar energy. Julia Koerner’s inspiration from nature extends to protecting it, so her products have minimal environmental impact. They’re printed in LA for US orders and Vienna for Europe. Even bags with small printing errors are sold at a discount to avoid waste.
Koerner’s designs are captivating because they’re uniquely different. Whether it’s the jewelry from Black Panther or her other creations, she embraces nature’s wild side. Her work features unconventional curves and organic shapes, blurring the lines between reality and imagination, and between design and art.
