The lunchbox purse: hardly functional, subjectively beautiful, totally '90s

Bree Davies February 26, 2013 10:14AM

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From 1993 to 1996, I carried a lunchbox as a purse. Now as an adult who carries what I call a Mary-Kate bag -- a black hole/abyss that holds keys, a liter of water, a wallet, various snacks, a change of clothes, a collection of Nora Ephron essays, a reporter's notebook, 700 pens and a ho-on-the-go kit complete with toothbrush and a full face of make-up -- I can't imagine carrying around a small metal box that holds everything I could possibly need. But in honor of Paileontology: Vintage Lunch Box Exhibit happening at Blue Dot Studio this weekend, here are some scattered thoughts on the vintage lunchbox purse craze of the early '90s.

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Bree Davies is a multimedia journalist, artist advocate and community organizer born and raised in Denver. Rooted in the world of Do-It-Yourself arts and music, Davies co-founded Titwrench experimental music festival, is host of the local music and comedy show Sounds on 29th on CPT12 Colorado Public Television and is creator and host of the civic and social issue-focused podcast, Hello? Denver? Are You Still There? Her work is centered on a passionate advocacy for all ages, accessible, inclusive, non-commercial and autonomous DIY art spaces and music venues in Denver.

Contact: Bree Davies

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Twitter: @cocodavies

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