In Paolo Puck’s imaginary realm of Fliffmellington, surreal characters come to life through elaborate costumes. Often weathered and tumbled-looking, a series of handbags, purses, and helmets glimpse a wonderfully weird world.

“I’m in the long process of faithfully recreating various artefacts from the world of Fliffmellington,” Puck tells Colossal. “Long-term, I will be making a book and short film, as well as an anthropological exhibition of the artefacts.”

two sculptural handbags by Paolo Puck shaped like a radish and a pickle

The artist aims to highlight the world of Fliffmellington through its material culture, which often features motifs of expressive or abstracted animals and absurdly large vegetables. The overall costumes reference personalities like the “Gherkin God” or an enigmatic, fantastical character named Celeste, who is associated with an organization called Jezilwik Grindlewax.

Puck’s approach to making detailed, wearable pieces is through the lens of archaeologist and conservator, as if the objects have been carefully excavated or recovered from a forgotten place, shedding light on an unknown culture.

Enter Puck’s uncanny world via the artist’s website and Instagram, and find tutorials and making-of insights via Substack. You might also enjoy Nikolas Bentel’s hyper-bespoke accessories.

a metal helmet designed by Paolo Puck with a strange, chihuahua-like motif on the top

two side-by-side images of a purse that looks like a narrow dog's head, with a mouth that opens at the bottom and an ear shape that is a flap on the top

a small purse by Paolo Puck shaped like a round toad

a sculptural purse designed by Paolo Puck in the shape of a fish

a sculptural purse designed by Paolo Puck in the shape of a fish that comes apart as if it's been chopped into segments

two sculptural purses by Paolo Puck shaped like a radish and a pickle, shown open, with the pickle purse containing a knife that is also shaped like a pickle

a sculptural metal duck by Paolo Puck

a sculptural purse designed by Paolo Puck in the shape of a disembodied head

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