Milan hosts retrospective exhibition on 1980s shopping bags

The “Shopping Bag” retrospective, curated by Biscottini Retro, is scheduled for September 12 at WAO Kitchen in Milan. Part of the “WAO, che mercato!” event, the exhibition focuses on shopping bags from Milanese stores during the 1980s.

The collection highlights how these items served as mobile advertisements and symbols of brand identity, turning customers into mediums for visual communication. Notable pieces include various Fiorucci bags featuring robots, pin-ups, and vibrant lettering, which represent the decade's specific aesthetic. The exhibition aims to demonstrate how ephemeral commercial packaging can serve as a documentary and emotional record of a city's retail history and social trends.