Apple has unveiled its latest luxury offering, the Issey Miyake iPhone Pocket, which has swiftly sold out online. This exclusive item is available at only 10 retail locations globally, even as it faces a wave of derision across social media platforms.
This collaboration between high-end Japanese fashion and the principles of tech minimalism has sparked a heated discourse regarding Apple’s ongoing foray into lifestyle-driven wearables.
Global Demand Meets Limited Supply
By Friday morning, every variant of the iPhone Pocket had been depleted from Apple’s online store. The product can be found across a mere 10 retail outlets worldwide, including prominent cities such as London, Milan, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Paris, with just a solitary location in the United States—Apple SoHo in New York. Interestingly, no Australian Apple stores received the item.
Despite the skepticism surrounding its utility, ardent enthusiasts of designer Issey Miyake moved quickly to purchase the limited stock. Owen Sanders, a 29-year-old buyer of the last short pink version, revealed he acquired it as a gift for his wife.
“She’s a fan of the designer,” he articulated. “Every time someone wears a black turtleneck, people say, ‘You look like Steve Jobs.’ And that’s due to Miyake. That carries significance.”
Apple iPhone Pocket and ISSEY MIYAKE short strap colors
The Legacy of Controversial Apple Accessories
The iPhone Pocket perpetuates an enduring Apple narrative revolving around the release of extravagant, often contentious, accessories.
From the notorious US$19 polishing cloth to the lofty US$999 Pro Display XDR stand, the tech titan has consistently leveraged high-end add-ons to cement its brand ethos.
Furthermore, Apple appears increasingly invested in the concept of “wearing your phone.” In September, it debuted a crossbody accessory transforming the iPhone into a fashionable purse—an aesthetic phenomenon that has long resonated in Asian markets.
The new Miyake Pocket also evokes one of Apple’s early cult classics: the iPod Socks, a colourful knit sleeve sold over two decades ago for US$29.
Online Backlash versus Devoted Enthusiasm
While loyal followers eagerly flocked to stores, the online response was far more polarizing.
Users on Reddit lambasted the iPhone Pocket as an out-of-touch luxury item during challenging global economic times. Reactions spanned from “Thought this was a parody” to “Is it April Fools’ Day?”
Nevertheless, advocates argue that the accessory is misinterpreted.
Despite the ridicule, the Issey Miyake iPhone Pocket underscores Apple’s formidable influence in the fashion arena. Its swift sell-out indicates a devoted audience eager to embrace audacious, design-centric accessories, even amid controversy.
As Apple persists in blending technology with high fashion, one observation remains: while not everyone grasps the frenzy, those who do are indeed purchasing at an astonishing rate.
Source link: Mybigplunge.com.
