Renzo Piano designs handbag to match new Whitney Museum
Renzo Piano has designed a limited-edition bag for Italian fashion house Max Mara modelled after his latest project: New York's Whitney Museum, which opened to the public last week (+ slideshow).
![The Whitney bag by Renzo Piano](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/05/Whitney-bag_Renzo-Piano_dezeen_468_0.jpg)
The Whitney Bag features a boxy, structured appearance with ribbing that mimics the museum's facade — a central idea behind the tote's design.
![The Whitney bag by Renzo Piano](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/05/Whitney-bag_Renzo-Piano_dezeen_468_5.jpg)
"Our aim was to apply one of the most characteristic elements of the museum project — the facade – to the bag: hence the idea of the modular strips enveloping the exterior," said Piano in an interview on Max Mara's website.
![The Whitney bag by Renzo Piano](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/05/Whitney-bag_Renzo-Piano_dezeen_468_6.jpg)
"We tried to maintain a simple, pure design," Piano added, "working only on the details by applying a creative use of technology and placing the accent on respect for the materials."
![The Whitney bag by Renzo Piano](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/05/Whitney-bag_Renzo-Piano_dezeen_468_10.jpg)
The calfskin, top-handle bag is offered in black, bordeaux and tan, along with a collector's edition in light-blue grey that refers to the metallic sheen of the museum facade. Only 250 collector's bags are available.
![The Whitney bag by Renzo Piano](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/05/Whitney-bag_Renzo-Piano_dezeen_468_13.jpg)
Metal components are reminiscent of the stanchions securing the building's tension cables.
![The Whitney bag by Renzo Piano](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/05/Whitney-bag_Renzo-Piano_dezeen_468_11.jpg)
The interior is lined with red suede and stamped with "Designed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop."
![The Whitney bag by Renzo Piano](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/05/Whitney-bag_Renzo-Piano_dezeen_468_12.jpg)
Piano's studio worked closely with Max Mara during the design process, the architect said, noting that this was his first time creating a handbag prototype.
"This is our first such experience, and I believe it will remain the only one," he said.
![The Whitney bag by Renzo Piano](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/05/Whitney-bag_Renzo-Piano_dezeen_468_1.jpg)
The architect said profits from the sale of the purse will be donated to the Renzo Piano Foundation, to finance its cultural and educational projects. Founded in 2004, the Genoa-based nonprofit organisation aims to promote research activities.
![The Whitney bag by Renzo Piano](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2015/05/Whitney-bag_Renzo-Piano_dezeen_468_14.jpg)