Female commuters deter thieves with spiky bags
By Cai Wenjun and Huang Lanlan |
October 26, 2012, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
THE fashion world probably didn't expect punk-style designer bags and shoes would be used by Shanghai commuters to deter thieves and people from getting too close to them on crowded subway trains.
Pictures showing people getting onto a crowded Metro train with spiky bags were posted online recently, sparking a debate about the potential risk to other passengers.
Bag owners claimed the items are stylish and also useful tools to keep fellow passengers and possible pickpockets away.
Some also said the studs and spikes can scare off indecent guys.
The so-called hedgehog bags and shoes are available both online and at stores on Qipu Road, which is famous for selling cheap and fashionable items.
Shanghai Daily reporters yesterday found many shops on Qipu Road in Hongkou District were selling hedgehog backpacks, handbags and studded shoes.
"Hedgehog handbags are very popular among young women," said Yu Chuang, owner of a handbag store. "They are so easy to sell that I often ask factories for more bags."
According to Yu, the bags generally sell for 100 yuan (US$16) to 300 yuan and that the price might be double at well-known stores.
Another handbag seller, surnamed Xu, claimed branded handbags and shoes of this type are also very trendy in Western countries.
"Many chic models sported hedgehog handbags at the Paris Fashion Week this year," Xu said.
But others worried the handbags were dangerous.
"The spikes on these bags may hurt other people, especially in a crowded subway train," said Liu Zhenqi, a college student in Shanghai, adding that she would not buy such a handbag.
Metro officials said such bags and shoes are not considered risky and they haven't received complaints about these items hurting other passengers.
A worker at Tiantong Road Metro station near Qipu Road told Shanghai Daily yesterday that hedgehog handbags are allowed to pass through their security scanning machines.
Pictures showing people getting onto a crowded Metro train with spiky bags were posted online recently, sparking a debate about the potential risk to other passengers.
Bag owners claimed the items are stylish and also useful tools to keep fellow passengers and possible pickpockets away.
Some also said the studs and spikes can scare off indecent guys.
The so-called hedgehog bags and shoes are available both online and at stores on Qipu Road, which is famous for selling cheap and fashionable items.
Shanghai Daily reporters yesterday found many shops on Qipu Road in Hongkou District were selling hedgehog backpacks, handbags and studded shoes.
"Hedgehog handbags are very popular among young women," said Yu Chuang, owner of a handbag store. "They are so easy to sell that I often ask factories for more bags."
According to Yu, the bags generally sell for 100 yuan (US$16) to 300 yuan and that the price might be double at well-known stores.
Another handbag seller, surnamed Xu, claimed branded handbags and shoes of this type are also very trendy in Western countries.
"Many chic models sported hedgehog handbags at the Paris Fashion Week this year," Xu said.
But others worried the handbags were dangerous.
"The spikes on these bags may hurt other people, especially in a crowded subway train," said Liu Zhenqi, a college student in Shanghai, adding that she would not buy such a handbag.
Metro officials said such bags and shoes are not considered risky and they haven't received complaints about these items hurting other passengers.
A worker at Tiantong Road Metro station near Qipu Road told Shanghai Daily yesterday that hedgehog handbags are allowed to pass through their security scanning machines.
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