An Artistic Collaboration

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of International Gallery BEAMS in Japan, Cambridge Satchel has collaborated with Ryan Gander OBE RA and International Gallery BEAMS on an experimental project exploring the relationship between art, fashion and craftsmanship.

Bringing together three distinct creative worlds, the collaboration combines The International Gallery BEAMS’ expertise in fashion, Ryan Gander’s contemporary art practice and Cambridge Satchel’s tradition of British craftsmanship. The result is a collection of just 50 unique satchels, each playing with the idea of placing objects outside the bag rather than inside it.

Working closely with Ryan Gander, 50 personal objects from his studio have been selected and reimagined in leather. Each object has been crafted as a distinctive keychain and, in a playful twist, incorporated into the satchel itself.

By transforming personal studio objects into functional leather details, the project blurs the boundaries between artwork, fashion and everyday object. Each satchel becomes a discovery, inviting curiosity and encouraging the wearer to look at the familiar in a different way.

Combining Ryan Gander’s artistic vision with the craftsmanship of Cambridge Satchel and the fashion perspective of The International Gallery BEAMS, the collaboration creates something truly unique: 50 individual satchels that are as much objects of curiosity as they are functional pieces.

The International Gallery BEAMS

The International Gallery BEAMS is one of Japan’s leading fashion and lifestyle retailers, with a strong international reputation and a long history of championing innovative design and creative collaborations.

Known for its carefully curated approach to fashion, art and culture, International Gallery BEAMS brings together established names and emerging talent from around the world. Its distinctive perspective and commitment to creativity make it a natural partner for collaborations that explore the relationship between fashion, art and craftsmanship.

Ryan Gander OBE RA

Ryan Gander is a British contemporary artist renowned internationally for his diverse and multidisciplinary practice. Working across sculpture, film, writing, graphic design, installation, performance and more, Gander moves freely between mediums rather than being defined by a single approach or concept.

His work often explores ideas around language, knowledge, perception and the way we understand the world. There is frequently a playful, puzzle-like quality to his work, inviting the viewer to look closer, question what they see and make connections of their own. This approach is reflected in the satchel collaboration.

Gander’s international reputation was recognised in 2017 when he was awarded an OBE for his contribution to contemporary art. His ability to move between different forms and ideas makes him a particularly fitting collaborator for a project that brings together art, fashion and craftsmanship.