There was Jane Birkin and her catchall, the Olsen twins and their tattered designer handbags, and Carrie Bradshaw and her saddle bag. Now, accessories brand MZ Wallace and online retailer Platform are introducing a new archetype: the Aspiring Actress bag.
The new line sees a collaboration with New York-based artist Cynthia Talmadge, whose work has captivated audiences with its unflinching exploration of contemporary Americana's darker undercurrents and sensationalist tabloid culture. Talmadge's paintings, photographs, and installations have long served as a mirror to society's fascination with fame, tragedy, and the spaces where glamour and grit intersect. Now, this keen cultural insight has been translated into the very fabric of MZ Wallace's latest creations.
To debut the line, crafted with prints of a new series of work by Talmadge, the brand enlisted actor Annie Hamilton, whose unfiltered approach to her craft has garnered great attention in the digital age. Hamilton, known for boldly sharing her self-taped auditions online, offers a raw, firsthand perspective on the struggles and dreams of aspiring performers in the city that never sleeps.
Talmadge and Hamilton talk to CULTURED to dissect the bag's identity and the stories it might tell as it traverses the streets of New York and beyond. In their discussion, they explore how the "Aspiring Actress" bag becomes more than just an accessory—it's a symbol, a conversation piece, and perhaps even a mirror reflecting the ambitions and anxieties of those who carry it.
CULTURED: What essentials would you throw in the “Aspiring Actress” bag for a day and night out on the town?
Annie Hamilton: This bag is perfection because it does not look like a Mary Poppins bag, but it certainly has the capabilities of one. I'd take all of my makeup—ALL OF IT, every last stitch—perfume from Liberty, mini roll-on deodorant, a couple of hotel pens, beta-blockers, hair clips, string headphones, clip-on hoops from Claire's, my phone charger, and another pair of underwear.
Cynthia Talmadge: My dog Thomas for day. A taser for evening.
CULTURED: If New York were a person, how would you describe your relationship with them?
Hamilton: NYC is the Heartbreak Antichrist. The only relationship that consistently loves me back. (Not being dramatic.)
Talmadge: We’re great co-parents.
CULTURED: How would you characterize the collaboration with MZ Wallace?
Talmadge: I’m interested in world building, so it was really satisfying to translate my paintings into a purse. Everything from creating the narrative about the aspiring actress, to cutting up tabloids, to shooting with Walker Bunting and Annie Hamilton at a rehearsal space in Midtown was part of the process.
CULTURED: Do you have any rituals or routines that help you tap into your creative mindset?
Hamilton: I mostly write these days—my ritual is to let myself take as many shower breaks as I want or need to reset my brain. I also like putting on a new pair of socks.
Talmadge: I get a five-star notebook with dividers for each show where I make lists and notes, and I print out every reference photo and pin it up.
CULTURED: What advice would you give your younger self about making it in the big city, knowing what you know now?
Hamilton: Don’t waste your time in Los Angeles.
CULTURED: Where is the most bizarre place research for a project has led you?
Talmadge: I had the opportunity to show my paintings of Frank Campbell in Frank Campbell, which was surreal. Lately, I’ve been on the Reddit threads for diplomats’ wives, and I’ve got a printed PDF of every single state dinner menu from the Carter administration on my desk.
CULTURED: What is your favorite painting in this project?
Talmadge: I like the one with the star map, crumpled Chasen’s napkin, and a wristband from an urgent care visit.
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