Water bottles are the latest obsession in the fashion world, representing a shift towards functionality and practicality in the post-pandemic era. We’ve seen the unlikely industries of fashion and water collide, with a number of brands releasing their take on the reusable water bottle, and even an Evian bottle designed by Virgil Abloh.
The designer water bottle is an interesting concept because it speaks to the climate-conscious conversation that’s been trendy in recent years, while also playing into the expanding consumer appetite for branded and designer merch.
Recent runway shows have been flooded with stainless steel bottles sloshing alongside the most stylish looks, with brands like Fendi, Alyx, Givenchy and Marine Serre all getting involved. Saint Laurent offers a range of travel mugs in their lifestyle store; one resembling a tall, solid gold statue. Louis Vuitton has also made a smart monogrammed thermos flask with an audacious leather carrying case.
This is nothing new – designers have been venturing away from clothes for a long time in an effort to emphasise their brand as a lifestyle. In the past Louis Vuitton even launched a ‘sporting goods’ line which included dumbbells and a skipping rope, Prada has been known for its dog line and Vivienne Westwood for yoga mats.
This phenomenon is also prevalent in the streetwear movement, with many independent stores dropping random accessories to cement their brand deep within the community. For example, Supreme is known for its outrageous drops including anything but clothing, for people to consume and collect as rare relics of hype beast culture. The reusable water bottle is just the most recent item to receive a high-fashion reconsideration.
It’s not just in the runway shows of luxury fashion houses that these bottles have been stealing the spotlight. Other high-end brands with deeper connections to street style have also been releasing their own versions. As part of their House of Genius initiative, Moncler just launched a new collection of accessories to accompany their ready-to-wear pieces, and there is no surprise that it included a water bottle made in collaboration with 24Bottles. The collection was designed for a retreat in the countryside, celebrating the performance and technological culture of the outdoors, and reimagining Moncler’s alpine heritage for the future. Stone Island also worked with 24Bottles to release a bright green water bottle that features its iconic thermosensitive technology.
The reusable water bottle has become fashion’s newest obsession and an essential accessory for the masses. Combined with bold, emblazoned branding and luxury aesthetics, the underlying notions of sustainability and climate awareness make the designer water bottle a statement piece in its own way.
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