Nik Bentel’s math-inspired ‘orb bag’ has a glossy finish that looks like a distorting mirror

Nik Bentel unveils the mirror-shaped orb bag

Nick Bentel recent release, The Orb Bag, which is inspired by mathematical surfaces known as “Dupin’s Cyclide,” gives the impression that the wearer is bringing their own distorting mirror everywhere they go. Its shiny chrome finish reflects anyone and anything, and when the user holds The Orb Bag in their field of vision, they can see who is walking or what is happening behind them, like a car rearview mirror but from distorted manner.

But that’s not Nik Bentel’s initial goal when he thought of creating The Orb Bag. He wanted to create a handbag-shaped object that could distort light. He succeeds in using the chrome finish, but in order for the handbag to have as perfect and precise a shape as possible, the designer, who also made the pastry box in Wes Anderson’s Grand Budapest Hotel in a real bag, geared towards math and equations.

images courtesy of Nik Bentel Studio | Mia Teresa photos

Design inspired by the mathematical equation of ‘Dupin Cyclide’

In a word, Nick Bentel Orb Bag is inspired by algebraic surfaces known as the “Dupin Cyclide”. It looks like a smooth, curved “drop” or giant crescent (with both ends connected) but in 3D shape. Dupin’s cyclide takes a flat shape, like a squashed oval or circle called a conic section, and rotates it around an axis without touching the oval at all. As the oval rotates, this smooth, curved shape is created.

When Nik Bentel and his team came across this mathematical equation, they used it as an idea to create their Orb Bag, easily capturing the shape of the Dupin cyclide. It’s safe to say then that they turn a mathematical calculation into an orb bag, finished with a high-gloss chrome to reflect and distort the reflective environment.

The Orb bag by Nik Bentel, with a mirror style inspired by “Cyclide Dupin”

Hidden magnetic clasp for the Nik Bentel Orb bag

Nik Bentel’s Orb Bag is also made from acrylic using a two-part injection mold. Its interior is lined with metallic leather and there is a hidden magnetic clasp on the inside rather than the outside to make the shape smooth when the wearer closes it. These clasps allow for an uninterrupted, mirror-like surface appearance. When the Orb Bag spins, it may look like a coin spinning before falling.

When the user holds it, the Orb Bag can resemble a black hole as all light is drawn into the bag, distorting everything around it. Its mirrored surface can also be an ideal tool for quick hold and facial control. At the time of publishing the story, Nik Bentel’s Orb Bag costs $250 and is limited to only 150 units. Fans receive a dust bag alongside this mirror-like orb, along with a unique verification token to prove their ownership.

Dupin Cyclide-inspired Orb bag by Nik Bentel reflects the environment in a distorted way

view of Nik Bentel’s Orb Bag with its mirror-like surface and inspired by Dupin Cyclide

the surface is finished with shiny chrome to achieve the mirror style

Maya Man models for the Orb bag by Nik Bentel