K-POP stars are known for donning designer items with styles their fans would like to follow. But most of their items have a hefty price tag and most fans do not usually have the same access to high-end brands. For example, a fur coat by Dan Cassab worn by Blackpink’s Jennie costs $3,600.
The pros and cons of making merch
Leta Sobierajski, David Shrigley and Morag Myerscough weigh in on the ups and downs of making merchandise and products – from the joy of designing tangible objects to the challenges of getting it right 29/04/2021 9:38 am
“A long time ago, people thought that it was in some way cheapening your output as an artist if you made merchandise,” says David Shrigley, the reigning king of artist-made goods. Over the course of his career, Shrigley has produced everything from duvet covers and salt and pepper shakers – labelled heroine and cocaine – to a pool toy shaped like a beakless swan. And fans have eaten them up, showing that, while he might be right about the lingering snobbery, there’s real connections, and real money, to be made in this realm. Recent brand collaborations including Morag Myerscough’s set of Tatty Devine jewellery, and Leta Sobierajski’s leather goods range with American brand Dan Cassab also prove that there’s gr