What does this phone case say about me?
‘It was so overpriced. My mum said that if I bought it I was asking for attention, but I just found it amusing…’
And what it really says
Ha! This phone cover makes me smile. It’s a cheerful, silly-sized piece of frippery, designed to be noticed but only because it’s daft. At least that’s what you first think: those who know their brands – and Victoria is a fashion student – will recognise its style as inimitably Moschino.
Moschino is an Italian label that takes pop culture – cartoons, tattoos – and merges it with surprisingly classic clothes. It covers traditional dress shapes with disposable references. This means it can aim its funny at those with money – its style says throwaway, but Moschino isn’t cheap. I’ve checked the price of this phone case: it costs £55.
It’s interesting that Victoria paid for it as soon as it came out. Part of fashion’s delight is the first-past-the-post element – having something before any of your friends; plus Victoria is a modern-day student who lives on credit, who has money for now and will work it out later.
If you look closely at the phone case, it mixes a household cleaner with eau de toilette. (Toilet and toilette, hoho!) This is a joke, but there are other mixed-up references. Spray cleaners are about convenience and freedom: if you use them, you have more time to have fun. More time to spend on your smartphone, more time to spend on fashion even if you don’t always have the money to hand.
It’s quite Warhol-y, really, moving advertising references on to everyday objects. Smartphones are as ubiquitous as cleaning products these days, and deemed just as vital to life. Who wants to go back to scrubbing things with soap, or telephones on the wall? This phone case is all about modernity (it only fits an iPhone 6). It says that what Victoria likes about fashion is fun. It also says that Victoria has a very big bag.
If you would like Miranda to cast an eye over your favourite possession, email a photograph to magazine@observer.co.uk
