Stroitelev has photographed more than 100 women alongside the everyday objects they carry. Ngoc Anh, a 47-year-old saleswoman at a Vietnamese market in Ho Chi Minh City, carries a golden Buddha figurine, a wooden incense holder, and prayer beads in her bag. Anya Max, a 37-year-old dominatrix from Vancouver, Canada, keeps black latex gloves, a blue corset, and a cap reading 'Daddy is a John' as part of her routine.
Each woman's belongings reveal her tastes, habits, and lived experiences. A worn-down lip balm, a faded receipt, or a bundle of old keys—these small objects speak volumes about their owners. Ngoc Anh's Buddhist devotional items and Anya Max's BDSM gear each testify to the identities of two women whose professions and cultures are worlds apart. Through this project, Stroitelev archives the intimate routines and personal tastes of women.
Looking inside a bag is an intimate and honest way to get to know someone. The objects we unconsciously choose to carry often say more than what we reveal in interviews or on social media. Inside the bags of women with entirely different professions and personalities lie their unique stories. What stories are hidden inside your bag?
FAQ
What is Sergey Stroitelev's <WOMEN'S BAGS FROM INSIDE THE> project?
A decade-long project by Berlin-based photographer Sergey Stroitelev, it archives the everyday lives and tastes of over 100 women by photographing them alongside the contents of their bags. The work stems from childhood curiosity about the world inside his mother's handbag.
Who are the women featured in the project?
Over 100 women of vastly different professions and cultures, including Ngoc An, a 47-year-old vendor at a Ho Chi Minh City market, and Ana Max, a 37-year-old dominatrix from Vancouver, Canada. Their bag contents range from Buddhist devotional items to BDSM tools.
How do the contents of a bag reveal a person?
Small objects like worn lip balm, faded receipts, and old key rings reveal tastes, habits, and lived experience. Unconsciously chosen and carried items testify to an intimate identity that interviews or social media cannot capture.
