Newly Mint-ed

Just two months ago, The Blackberrie reported painter/photographer Marilyn Minter's Chelsea billboards celebrating the Whitney Biennial. Now, this fashion-photographer-turned-social-commenter has completed her first foray into design.

Collaborating with logo-loving Coach, this unlikely duo has come together with two other American artists, Kiki Smith and Laurie Simmons, to create one-of-a-kind evening bags. The designs will be auctioned off this Tuesday at a black-tie dinner benefiting the Whitney.

Reed Krakoff, president and creative director of Coach, and his wife, Delphine, are the 75th anniversary chairs of this year’s Whitney American Art Award. Coach’s collaboration with these artists is said to reflect Krakoff’s “passion for contemporary art.”

Minter’s contribution is an elegant evening clutch in turquoise python. The inside satin lining is apparently screen-printed with a glittering eye, an image borrowed from her “Frost-Bite” piece.

Final Word: Should we expect to see some of Minter’s pseudo-pornographic, pulsating images appear on Coach totes this holiday, Anya Hindmarch-style? I won’t hold my breath.