I Want To Chew on This Vintage Miu Miu
Plus secondhand pink finds to blow big juicy bubbles with
You’d think Miuccia molded it from a pack of Hubba Bubba. Pink chalky tape warmed into a putty between her fingers, she sculpted the handbag with a paper thin bubble perched between her lips. The only sound in the studio was a snappy POP when she’d get too daring with the size.
It’s hard to nail the right shade of pink: too subtle and you risk veering toward pale sickly flesh, too saturated without a balance of sophistication and you could enter Jojo Siwa tutu territory. This Miu Miu bubblegum is a dart piercing a bullseye on the color wheel. It’s better actually — it’s the dart piercing the dart in the bullseye, splitting its tail in half eliciting gasps and cheers from the bar seats. I’m halfway through a tepid pint of Guiness rocking in my stool shouting “Oh my god! That’s the perfect pink!”
This colorway didn’t walk down the runway in September of 1999, though. The jovial cartoon pig hue was crafted not for the early viewer but for the consumer who was shopping the collection in the spring of 2000. For the one who could pick it up at Bergdorf and give the fresh leather a solid whiff. Sling it over her shoulder to test out the sporty mesh cushion on the strap. It was made for real life. Made to sink your teeth into.
Robin Givhan wrote of that Miu Miu show and the others of the spring 2000 season: “Indeed, it has been a long time since the fashion industry boldly suggested so much candy for the closet.” She wasn’t referring to candy as literally as I am (more like ruffles and jewels and delicate adornments), but that remark turned out to be oracular in a more mouth-watering way.
Under icy grey skies wrapped in wind streams like frozen ivy, I need a pop of pink like I need a Vitamin D supplement. A little contrast is proof of life, and a little leather accoutrement the color of grocery store cupcake frosting sweetens the deal.
This purchase was, of course, a secondhand steal and a very thoughtful birthday gift from me to me. I didn’t set out to find a bag exactly as old as I am, but given the timelines of ideation and production, I think Miuccia may have been pregnant with this collection the same time my mother was pregnant with me. Sisters separated at birth. Reunited thanks to eBay seller susan2460.
Because I’ve clearly gone mad with bubblegum fever, I tracked down 35 vintage and secondhand delicious pink pieces to satisfy your craving.
Anna Sui metallic round tote / $100 (I think this one would taste like pennies and having a new crush.)
Jil Sander leather lace-up pointy toe heels size 8 / $95 (I’d feel like a Charlie’s Angel stomping around in these.)
Vintage Kate Spade corduroy messenger bag / $72 (I’m all in on messenger bags right now and have almost pulled the trigger on this one a few times over the last several months. Releasing her reluctantly into your hands to find a good home.)
