The Wine Bag: A Fashionable Twist on Wine Packaging

Antonia Skaraki's Design Merges Fashion with Festive Spirits

The Wine Bag, conceived by the creative prowess of Antonia Skaraki, is not just another beverage container—it's a statement piece. This Christmas Limited Edition, crafted exclusively for Lidl by The Wine Barrel, is a testament to the power of design in transforming everyday items into covetable accessories. Skaraki's vision was to create a product that resonates with the fashion-forward, particularly women, by turning a simple wine box into a chic handbag, complete with golden accents and a leather-like texture.

What sets The Wine Bag apart is its meticulous attention to detail. The golden elements are not merely decorative; they evoke the warmth and joy of the festive season. The leather texture is not just a visual treat; it adds a tactile dimension that mimics the luxury of a designer purse. And the red string strap is not an afterthought; it's a deliberate nod to authenticity and practicality, allowing the wine to be carried with the same ease and flair as the latest runway accessory.

The realization of this concept was no small feat. The Wine Bag's structure is a paper box ingeniously engineered to hold 1.5 liters of semi-dry wine, presenting both a design and production challenge. The dimensions—250mm in width, 100mm in depth, and 185mm in height—were carefully calculated to balance aesthetics with functionality. The result is a package that not only looks good but also serves its purpose with grace.

Skaraki's approach to this project was underpinned by extensive research into the fashion industry's influence on lifestyle choices. The design team, led by Skaraki and art director Andreas Deskas, recognized the opportunity to infuse a sense of style into the wine category, traditionally dominated by bottled presentations. Their efforts culminated in a product that stands out on supermarket shelves and speaks directly to a demographic seeking something more than just a beverage—a fashion statement.

The Wine Bag's journey from concept to Lidl supermarkets across Greece was a sprint against time, with the project commencing on September 10, 2022, and wrapping up just over a month later. The challenge was not only to create a unique offering for the Christmas season but also to elevate the wine-in-box category, which often plays second fiddle to its bottled counterparts. The design team's solution was a masterclass in innovation, resulting in increased sales and a fresh appeal to Lidl's female clientele.

This fusion of fashion and function has not gone unnoticed in the design world. The Wine Bag was honored with the Bronze A' Design Award in 2024, a recognition of its creative ingenuity and contribution to enhancing the quality of life. The award celebrates designs that embody the best practices in art, science, and technology, and The Wine Bag is a shining example of how thoughtful design can turn the ordinary into the extraordinary.