A Fusion of Fashion and Culture: Sprayground Transforms Artworks from The Met Collection into Wearable Masterpieces for Limited Edition Collaboration
Sprayground, celebrated for its thought-provoking, innovative, and dynamic accessories, has unveiled an exclusive collaboration with The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Drawing inspiration from beloved works of art in The Met collection, the 17 piece capsule is exclusively available at The Met Store and online at store.metmuseum.org starting today, followed by a wider release on the Sprayground website on August 11.
The exclusive collection features an array of stunning designs inspired by works of art spanning 5,000 years of art from around the globe in The Met collection. Highlights include the Chinese Landscape Backpack which borrows motifs from a late 17th-century Jingdezhen vase, the Kuba Kingdom Headdress Backpack based on a 19th-20th century beaded mpaan crafted in the Kuba Kingdom (present-day Democratic Republic of Congo), and the Greek Temple of Sardis Column Backpack which recalls a monumental foliate carved column ca. 300 BCE. Spanning The Met’s 19 curatorial departments, the offering references works in a range of media expertly translated into fashion-forward accessory designs. “These pieces, among others, are a collection of diverse cultures across the world to show how we are all connected,” said BenDavid.
"As someone born in the Bronx, I have vivid memories of visiting The Metropolitan Museum of Art with my mom and being awestruck by the artifacts and history. During my time at the School of Visual Arts, we would visit The Met weekly for our art projects, deepening my connection to its treasures. It is truly amazing to now collaborate with the Museum, blending my art with theirs and creating something unique for this exclusive collection," said David BenDavid, fashion visionary and Creative Director/ CEO & Founder of Sprayground.
“We are proud to collaborate with Sprayground on this unique program, which melds Sprayground’s signature aesthetic with fan favorites from The Met collection in a bold new way. This project is sure to inspire conversations about art, design, and fashion and we hope that customers and fans will visit The Met in-person or online to discover the historic works which inspired the designs,” says Josh Romm, Head of Global Licensing at The Met.
Each piece includes a special tag, hang tag, and a plaque, inspired by the plaques seen in museums, complete with a QR code, providing detailed information about the bag and its relationship to the original artwork that inspired its design. This innovative approach allows customers to delve deeper into the history that inspired their Sprayground backpack, creating a personal connection to the art. Each bag is a limited edition, ensuring that these unique creations will never be produced again.
The capsule collection is featured in Sprayground’s latest marketing campaign, shot at The Met. Showcasing the collection in this inspiring environment positions the distinctives designs within the context of the Museum.