Timeless Treasures opened at Beymen Tersane in Istanbul on November 8, bringing together 80 bag designs from 55 brands and designers. Curated by Laurence Benaïm, the exhibition combines new work with archival objects. A trunk made for Sultan Abdülhamid II in 1886 joins displays exploring Anatolian craft traditions and the changing cultural roles of bags.
Timeless Treasures – The Eternal Journey of the Bag opened on November 8 at Gallery 8 – The Space, within Beymen Tersane in Istanbul. The exhibition includes 80 bag designs from 55 international brands and designers. Writer Laurence Benaïm curated the selection, combining work made for the project with objects chosen from fashion-house archives. Its closing date is February 8, 2027.[1], [2]
A Louis Vuitton trunk made for Sultan Abdülhamid II in 1886 is among the historical objects. Brought from the company’s Paris archives, it has vertical stripes and drawers. The Paris–Istanbul section centres on this trunk. More than two years of research and preparation preceded the exhibition, which examines materials, production techniques and the cultural roles bags have held in different periods.[1]
The seven thematic sections include historic letter pouches, İznik tile motifs, goldwork, boxes and trunks. Other displays address weaving, leatherwork and saddlebag traditions extending from Central Asia to Anatolia. Work by three students recognised in the Beymen Young Talents Design Competition appears alongside the fashion houses’ pieces. A section devoted to younger designers addresses new interpretations of inherited craft.[1]
