THE BIG MEG

DESCRIPTION

This wearable sculpture/bag is a testament to the exceptional craftsmanship and unparalleled creativity that define the iCONS+ series. Meticulously crafted from cerulean-hued hand-boarded Madras vegetable-tanned goatskin, the bag is adorned with a detachable visor that showcases razor-sharp teeth, a pair of googly eyes on the top, and two pectoral fins, alluding to the prehistoric megalodon, the largest shark to have ever existed.

Adding to the unique design, the front pocket flap boasts three translucent remora fish made from embossed TPU and white goatskins. The bag is also adorned with a pair of hand-polished, mirror-finished 316L stainless steel 'hands' in the form of a Morningstar (right)- a signature emblem of the iCONS+ series, and a spring keyring (left) with a removable giant oceanic manta ray charm, embellished with three vibrantly printed yellow pilot fish (Golden Traveally), adding a delightful touch of whimsy to the piece.

The bag is secured with a smooth Raccagni silver-tone zipper and comes with a pocket with an invisible magnetic closure at the front. The interior of the bag is fully lined in electric blue recycled cotton twill and has a small goatskin patch pocket. The artisan mark “E” and year of production mark “A” are stamped on the back of the right zipper stopper.

MORE DETAILS

H20 x W14 x D10 cm (8” x 5.5” x 4”)
Exterior: 100% Hand-boarded Madras goatskin
Interior: One goatskin patch pocket
100% Recycled cotton twill lining
Front flap pocket with magnetic closure
Two adjustable shoulder straps
Removable ray charms
Removable visor
Hand-polished mirror finished 316L stainless steel hardware
Required 45 hours for one artisan to make
Cross-body, shoulder bag and backpack
Can also be displayed as an art object
Individually handmade in China
Reference No. CX23U0104002

STORY

Do you know that with fossil records dating back 400 million years ago, sharks have outlived the dinosaurs and many other forms of life currently on earth? The earliest megalodon fossils (Otodus Megalodon, previously known as Carcharodon or Carcharocles Megalodon) date to 20 million years ago. For the next 13 million years the enormous shark dominated the oceans until becoming extinct just 3.6 million years ago. O. Megalodon was not only the biggest shark in the world, but the largest fish ever to exist. Estimates suggest it grew to between 15 and 18 meters in length, three times longer than the largest recorded great white shark. The word megalodon, a compound of Greek root words, means “giant tooth.”

The primary objective of the creation of this work entitled The Big Meg is to help raise awareness of the urgency of shark and rays conservation. Sharks and rays are keystone species that play a vital role in the natural order of our marine ecosystem and coastal communities. Despite being the apex predators, these majestic species are severely threatened with extinction and are being killed at an alarming rate on a daily basis due to human activity. The two biggest threats attributed to the dwindling population of sharks are overfishing and the demand for their fins and meat.

According to a new study re-assessing their IUCN Red List of Threatened Species extinction risk status, more than one-third of all sharks, rays, and chimeras (fish related to sharks and rays) are now at risk of extinction because of overfishing. And according to the Shark Conservation Fund, scientists are predicting that vulnerable shark populations could collapse within the next decade. Approximately 100 million sharks and rays are killed every year for their valuable fins, meat, livers, and gills, placing them among the world’s most endangered vertebrates.

As apex predators, sharks and rays stabilize food webs and act as a barometer for ocean health. Restoring healthy shark and ray populations is key to the creation of a healthier ecosystem and improving the resilience of these water bodies to climate change. On a global scale, the preservation of our sharks will have a ripple effect on broader conservation issues. These animals are indispensable to the ocean's health, the world’s food security, and the economic stability of hundreds of millions of people across the globe.

WWF (World Wildlife Fund) and the SCF (Shark Conservation Fund) are two of the world’s leading conservation organizations that help maintain the vibrancy of the world’s oceans by halting the overexploitation of sharks and rays and to prevent extinctions through innovative, strategic, collaborative solutions. These organizations work to protect the world’s marine resources by promoting sustainable policies and robust and enforceable trade regulations. As a concerned fellow human being, I kindly urge you to learn more about these beautiful creatures and what you can do to support the conservation efforts. For more information, please visit:

www.worldwildlife.org
www.sharkconservationfund.org

CONTACT US