#PopUps: Baseball and bling
Baseball and pop culture have intersected in America for more than a century. The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum takes a look at these cross-over stars and events in our web feature #PopUps.
As New York City gears up for Fashion Week from Sept. 8-15, it seems only appropriate to take a look at baseball popping up in designer merchandise. Designers like Coach, Dooney and Bourke, and even avant-garde designer Betsey Johnson have taken baseball into their accessory designs in recent years.
As baseball has been closely tied to American culture for about 150 years, it is no surprise to see the fashion industry either becoming officially licensed vendors or incorporating baseball into their collections.
When thinking about avant-garde accessories, one of the first names that comes to mind is Betsey Johnson. Johnson’s handbags and backpacks have been extremely popular since their initial launch. If you are looking for a birthday cake purse to wear to a party or a pretzel handbag for a German festival, Betsey Johnson has you covered.
Thus, it is no surprise that Johnson created several baseball themed accessories. Her Luv Betsey line released a cross-body purse titled “Swing Batter”. This simple design is a round cross-body purse with baseball stiches to make the purse look like a large baseball. Johnson also released the “Home Run Backpack” -- a similar white design with red marking to imitate the double-stitch of a baseball. These bags, while no longer available on Betsey Johnson’s website, can still be found at many retailers. Even though Betsey Johnson may be well known as a designer, many remember her from the 2014 season of Dancing with the Stars. Johnson was eliminated in week four of the season. However, Johnson is not the largest name in the fashion world to recently find inspiration from, or incorporate baseball.
Dooney and Bourke also cashed in on baseball, however they have become an officially licensed manufacturer. Dooney and Bourke has lines of MLB, NFL and NCAA accessories. Currently, the MLB products range from men’s wallets, to clutches, satchels, and cross-bodys. These products are available in multiple patterns for all 30 teams, but the patterns do vary. Interestingly enough, some of these bags include a single stitched red seam on the handles which clearly alludes to the red double-stitching on a baseball. Dooney and Bourke’s MLB collection products are currently available via the Baseball Hall of Fame Gift Shop.
One of the best known accessory designers is Coach. Founded in 1941, Coach has become a household name in quality handbags and leather products. Coach has an MLB line of products that include clutches and bags, but also include MLB key chains and paperweights. Coach also seems to cater a bit more to the male audience than some of its competitors, as it has two styles of men’s wallets. These wallets tend to be bright in color, but tastefully simplistic in their design. The orange New York Mets wallet is a great example of the line’s design. However, leather based products are not the only fashion accessories to be influenced by baseball.
When it comes to baseball jewelry, Alex and Ani is one of the forerunners. Founded in 2004 and named after the daughters of Founder and CEO Carolyn Rafaelian, Alex and Ani’s unique design of bracelets have become wildly popular. These bracelets, known for their wire thin bangles with dangles, can be seen in a variety of unique designs. Alex and Ani is an officially licensed vendor of MLB goods so it should come as no surprise if one were to see a multitude of fans wearing an Alex and Ani bangle of their favorite team the next time at the ballpark. Alex and Ani’s MLB line is also available through the Hall of Fame’s on-site and on-line stores. Shop.baseballhall.org
However, Alex and Ani bangles being sold by the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum are not the only pieces of jewelry in the museum. For decades, Hall of Fame members have been given a ring upon their induction. Additionally, one of the most popular cases in the Museum is the World Series Ring collection. This collection features many, but not all, of the rings awarded to World Series Champions. However, these rings are not the most famous bits of jewelry in the Hall of Fame’s collection.
In the 1942 film Pride of the Yankees, Lou Gehrig (Gary Cooper) gives a bracelet to his wife Eleanor (Theresa Wright) made of various awards that he received throughout his career. This, like most of the film, was true. In fact, the bracelet used in the film was the same bracelet given to Mrs. Gehrig by her husband. This unique and one-of-a-kind piece resides at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. The film prop and gift made from real MLB awards is currently on display on the Museum’s second floor in a case devoted to the Iron Horse. Photo of Gehrig Bracelet.
Additionally, the Hall of Fame recently came into possession of a Seattle Pilots bracelet. Since the team was only around for one season (1969), it is easy to date the bracelet. The bracelet and the matching broach are currently on display on the museum’s first floor along with other recent acquisitions.
As fashion often reflects the culture that creates it, it is no surprise to see baseball and American fashion intertwining. From backpacks to bracelets and almost every accessory in between can be found in a baseball themed design. Who knows what New York Fashion Week holds, but I wouldn’t be too surprised if a baseball themed article of clothing pops up on a runway.
Nate Tweedie is the manager of on-site learning at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
