a VERY limited Louis Vuitton...hehe

The main reason this Louis Vuitton bag won't last forever? 'Cause it's made of sugar and flour!


Gregory Soriano, a master baker, created this CAKE in a tribute to the Louis Vuitton Patchwork Tribute bag from last year. I am ogling this photo and just can't get my head wrapped around that this is a cake, and not some whimsical sculpture. Dubbed the "World's Most Expensive Cake," I actually wonder how much a cake of this artistic quality would go for. He has some other designs as well, but this one really, ahem, takes the cake. :D

The cake is above, while the purse that inspired it is below.


Source & Source

the ugly side of Louis

WWD Japan revealed on their cover a sneak peek of the exclusive collaboration between Louis Vuitton and Comme des Garcons. Starting in September, there will be a pop-up store selling six exclusive bags, all designed by Rei Kawakubo, featuring the classic monogram canvas and leather, albeit with some, ahem, whimsical twists, like extra handles, or two handles morphed into one. The store will only be around for 3 months, and will only be in Tokyo.


I took a gander. I paused. And the first thought in my mind... What is this HIDEOUS eight-armed atrocity? It's absolutely ridiculous. I can't even label this an artistic piece. It seems very trivial and silly. This is supposed to celebrate the two esteemed brands?!?

There is just something so plainly revolting and convoluted about these designer collabs that I feel speechless. Where is the DEE-ZIGN?!?!? I don't see it here. I'm not even talking about the practicality factor, which this bag obviously does not have, but pure aesthetics, that makes one proud to carry a bag, any bag. This is not one of them. It took my breath away because it is such a sorry looking piece of crap.

I have been a devoted LV fan for years, back when the pieces were classic (Vernis is my fave line, all the way), and it was such a luxury item that one doted on and took care of, and wore with some level of pride and fancy. Nowadays, the brand has devoted itself to so many hit-and-run, sometimes successful, sometimes tacky projects that it has lost a lot of appeal for me. These new "limited" pieces don't excite me at all. If anything, I'm dumbfounded that anyone, fan or critic, would think that these are cool at all.

Am I just being too conservative? I hope not, as I always prided myself on having a clean, appreciative eye for the finer things in life. These creations really look shoddy and uninventive to me. I don't understand the hype, if only to allow ppl to hate it, much like I do, and spew venom about it on blogs. Haha...but I digress...really, this is is JUST - SO - UGLY!!!

I took a quick look at Comme des Garcons' designs, and there are some really cool, edgy stuff in there. Their color thematics fall into the blacks and whites, the lines are very post-modern and not frilly at all. I would have LOVED to see them re-invent the LV brand into something that was in line w/ their usual perspective. That to me would be a true collab. Taking stock LV canvas and changing (or in this case, adding) stupidly useless handles does not equate a genuine collab for me. It's an insult to a true LV lover and anyone who has the moneybags to afford this useless crap. It is a sad day in the world of LV.

Source & Source

Kanye the Shoemaster

Kanye West confirmed that he is in collaboration with Louis Vuitton on a line a shoes. This should be interesting, considering he was in talks w/ Murakami awhile back to work on a line of jewelry, but that seemed to have died with time, so he must be itching to get his creations out one way or the other.

It's interesting that after LV's line of jewelry w/ Pharrel Williams, that the next celebrity collab for LV is with another hip-hop star. It seems that Marc Jacobs really digs their larger-than-life influence.

Source

luxury sounds for your ears

While I am anticipating the arrival of the Chanel mobile museum, another French fashion house worked on some cutting edge, unexpected marketing of their own. Louis Vuitton is working in collaboration with Soundwalk to bring to you 3 urban soundtracks designed for self-guided tours through three cities in China.

The soundtracks are an hour long, and each city is narrated by a different Chinese actress: Gong Li 鞏俐 for Beijing, Shu Qi 舒淇 for Hong Kong, and Joan Chen 陳冲 for Shanghai.

In Beijing, Gong Li re-visits the Central Academy of Drama while telling an old love story between two young students.


Shu Qi narrates the sights and sounds along the tour path starting at Luk Yu Tea House, along Stanley Street in Central, Hong Kong.


Chinese-American actress and director Joan Chen takes travelers through the quaint French Concession area in Shanghai.


Original soundtracks composed by Kubert Leung and Albert Yu. Shan Sa (”The Girl Who Played Go”) and Mei Feng (up-and-coming young Chinese author), have written these journeys much like film scripts — subtly blending reality and fiction to offer a cinematic experience in the heart of the city.

Stylish travelers can download Louis Vuitton Soundwalk for iPod, mp3 players and mobile phones on www.louisvuittonsoundwalk.com or www.louisvuitton.com. It is available in six languages, English, French, Cantonese, Mandarin, Japanese and Korean. Each audio guide costs $17 and comes with a map.

While these were obviously designed to run in conjunction with the upcoming Beijing Olympics, I find this project intriguing and refreshing. Even if I can't go to Asia, to be able to listen to the soundtracks themselves sounds like a lovely blend of art, music, and travel, and because it's a product of Vuitton, there is almost a guaranteed level of sophistication in terms of the final product.

In viewing the trailers, I'm actually surprised by how well Shu Qi speaks in English; there is almost a slight British lilt in her pronunciation. Gong Li is new to English, and her voice is very harsh, so I don't know if I would enjoy listening to her. Joan Chen speaks with an American accent; no surprise there. I wonder what the other languages sound like, since the trailers are only in English; do these ladies narrate in all 6 languages?

View all three trailers below. The soundtracks sound really beautiful; I wonder if they will be available for sale outside of the Soundwalk guides?







Source & Source

Monogramoufugly Part 2

I have to reiterate from an earlier post, but this is one of the most nauseating designs from Louis Vuitton in a long time. And to think, this is from Murakami, who I have been an avid fan of for the last few years!

Rihanna was carrying this Speedy with the new camouflage pattern. While the bag goes with her sharp, edgy look, as a bag on its own, it's just plain fug. It's beyond hideous. The mix of that pattern and the logos, none of it melded well, and it's all so, so wrong.


I hope this style goes away quickly and quietly, as I certainly don't forsee any legs for this trend. I mean, this is certainly one way to kill the brand.

Source

I spy the Mancrazy

I spied in this paparazzi photo Ashlee Simpson carrying the LV Mancrazy bag. Oddly enough, it looks more like a Speedy in the way it sags, rather than a rigid bag, which is how it appears in the press photo.

I never knew Ashlee as an LV girl, while I always associated her sister Jessica as the LV queen, but perhaps her love for LV is rubbing off?

Louis Vuitton Monogram Joke Collection - Mancrazy bag - $2,710

Source

Battle of the Price Tags

Gryson Tate (Paper Patent) $875

vs.
Gryson for Target Drawstring Tote Bag $49.99
Savings of $825.01

Dior Diorette Yellow Gold Ring $5,550
vs.
Juicy Couture Garden Party Ring $88

Savings of $5,462

Louis Vuitton Monogram Tissé Rayure Clutch $1,850
vs.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Airliner Jacquard Wallet $198

Savings of $1,652

jeweled blossoms

I am obsessed with this brooch! I don't normally fawn over costume jewelry, but I love that unexpected exploding petal, breaking into tiny jeweled pieces. I'm really trying to control any impulse purchasing, since I don't even wear brooches, so what would I do with this, but design-wise, it's adorable, and so imaginative! I'm already thinking of maybe inquiring if they have a pendant version. What a lovely piece to wear, real or faux.

Louis Vuitton Jeweled Brooch - $1,132

Source

jewels fit for a king

Louis Vuitton sent out a newsletter this morning hinting at a jewelry collection that will be unveiled on their website at the end of April. A collaboration with Pharrell Williams and Vuitton creative consultant Camille Miceli, the Blason collection will feature four distinct themes.


While the jewelry had already been promoted heavily back in January, this will be the first time you can purchase it from the comforts of your home. The designs span a wide range of European influences, from the power symbols of aristocracy to the more romantic cherub. The line is definitely a one-off collaboration, and does not relate to any of LV's current clothing or bag designs. Although I find the pieces to be too loud and dare I say, a little on the pimpin' side, it definitely aligns with Pharrell's unique style.


You can see a promotional video for the collection here. The video's ok, but the song is really strange. :p




Louis Vuitton Blason Jewellery Collection - €1,400 - €420,000, or approximately $2,070 to $621,000

Source & Source

Bally Jana sounds like a cartoon character...

I know, I'm supposed to be looking for the perfect camera bag for my trip, but I couldn't help myself when I saw photos of this bag worn by Jessica Alba!


It's so big I think you can roll me up and stuff me in there (ergo, opposite of small, which is what I'm supposed to be focused on), but what I really love are those giant chain handles, which actually serves a purpose of carrying it like a messenger bag if need be. Those giant chains were the same reason I really liked the Louis Vuitton Olympe Stratus GM from last year. Something about these giant, chunky resin chains that give the bag an edgy yet sweet look. It's like casual jewelry for the bag.


Anyhow, if I wasn't so set on not buying any bags for awhile (we ARE in a recession, folks, stop kidding yourselves), I'd def. look into this very cool piece. A beige version of the bag is available, too, but I like the black patent version MUCH more.


Bally Jana bag in black patent leather - $1,295

Source & Source & Source & Source

arm candy

While I'm still on the fence on whether or not to get the Louis Vuitton Monogram Watercolor Speedy, Hong Kong actress Myolie Wu got to pose with some limited edition bags at the flagship opening of the Canton Road store in Hong Kong.


I think the Miroir is passé already (not sure that anyone but celebrities actually bought one anyways?!?), but the Watercolor Monogram still calls to me. I will wait and see if eLuxury will carry it in May...

Source

come here to get your designer bag!

I found this to be an utter riot. Outside of the Murakami exhibit in Brooklyn, they created sets of faux vendor stalls that were selling real LVs. I love the irony of forcing these wealthy people to have to feel like they need to be bartering in the streets in the cold for a $3,ooo bag. While this was an obvious poke at the counterfeited bags that you can buy on Canal St., there is a certain level of poking fun at the rich, too. The fact that they would buy into this marketing concept and will play along only shows what the power of a brand will make people do. It is kitschy rather than low-class to be buying a designer bag from a street vendor. How the times have changed.


I think all that's missing are the Street bags from LV's last spring collection. Those fit the Chinatown theme MUCH better...


Source & Source & Source

Monogramoufugly

I couldn't make it out to Brooklyn to see the new Takashi Murakami exhibit, but a simple search online and one can see what all the hype was about, as various bloggers have been posting photos, and some on eBay are hawking the limited edition goods as well. I didn't find any info. on any new Murakami characters being introduced this time around (like he'd done for the LA exhibit), but a new monogram/camouflage pattern was introduced, and while some early limited edition bags and accessories were for sale at the exhibit, the rest of us will have access in mid-June for the new line.


Frankly, I really think this is the fugliest Murakami pattern ever. Nothing is very balanced in this print. What the hell does the LV monogram have to do w/ camo? Where is the "art" in this? It's so uninspired and passé (do you know anyone who wears camo these days?) that I'm not even going to write more about this, because as much as I adore LV from time to time, this is just ugly and lame. I would not spend any $$ on this. Even if someone gave it to me, I wouldn't carry it. That's how crappy this new pattern is. So sad.

If I wanted camo (and not of the serious military kind), I would've gone with the Tokidoki/Lesportsac camo print, which is more creative, unique, and inventive. Certainly, Simone Legno had a good time incorporating his cast of characters with a traditional camo print to infuse a new look and feel. This is where the art comes in, really. However, even with this design, I didn't succumb to buying a purse, so there is no way in heck I would even entertain the idea of the Monogramouflage. Blech.


Source & Source

Art on Commerce

So after I wrote about the subject of art vs. commerce, I thought this might segue nicely into the topic of buying art ON commerce. The influx of designs on handbags as of late have coalesced from simple linear, geometric, or floral designs into artwork that has manifested onto the fabrics of our every day life. Many design houses have entered into this arena of producing art specifically for a bag, not unlike designers who would create a pattern for fabric or wallpaper.

I don't know how I feel about all of this. I love the artwork, no doubt, but I also feel like there is a level of laziness involved, and the unnecessary hype around these projects diminish the true luxury of owning art. (Perhaps art shouldn't be only for the wealthy elite?) When an image is merely mass-produced and repeated over and over again on canvas or leather, it somehow doesn't feel very special. It feels like the purchase of a poster, or a "limited-edition glicee," which is a fancy way of saying hi-tech poster, and you're not getting the real art, the original, because that sits in some archived sketch book, or is a digital print in a computer hard drive.

James Jean original sketch

Prada Spring 2008 Campaign

Richard Prince "Nuts" painting

Louis Vuitton Richard Prince Monogram Joke bag

In some ways, I'd rather own the real art than have it on my bag. But maybe this is what fashion is all about; the celebration of art and function combined. Thoughts?

Source & Source & Source & Source

Art vs. Commerce

When Louis Vuitton launched their That's Love LVOE Canvas bag last year with a price tag of $1,700, I knew that sh*t had hit the fan, because now we were entering the divergent waters of really catering to the elitists who wouldn't bat an eyelash for buying something of so little material value (all in the name of craftsmanship) because the price tag was in the name of the brand, to the wannabes who would deem it ok, because OF the brand, and not for other sensible reasons. Although I criticize the pricing strategy, I would say I was of the few who actually loved the LVOE design, but the price doesn't justify the fact that the bag was made of cotton canvas (that wasn't even coated) and glass beads (I don't care if it took 20 hours to make). I would say that the bag itself was adorable, obnoxious, yes, but a true piece only for a true LV lover.

This is why I had to smile when I saw these silk-screened canvas bags from South Korean artist Zinoo Park. Colorful, cheeky, unapologetic pop-art for the masses, with the words FAKE stamped proudly all over them, the bags were a refreshing look at the counterfeit market that has a healthy appetite for cheap designer goods. The bags were showcased at the London’s 100% Design for an art exhibit in Seoul called “Wake Up Andy Warhol.” I immediately bought two of these, a smaller one ($80) in blue and a larger one ($90) in brown. They are printed with a different design on each side, and are reversible (so buying one bag was like buying three!). Only 100 were made of each design, so it was a chance to own a very cool piece of art w/o forking out too much money. (They are now sold out from Poketo, but a search on designboom shows that they still have some left, and for a little cheaper!)


But of course, this always brings up the question, what is art, and is this artist selling out by attacking/critiquing the most obvious target? In my opinion, the elephant was already standing in the room, so why not? In the global landscape of mass consumption, there is always the latest and greatest, and no matter how you cut this one, he created a design that easily resonates with LV purveyors alike, no matter if you're a fan of LV, a critic of the counterfeit market, a critic of LV itself, or looking for a colorful bag for summer. This is marketing at its finest, and as far as I can tell, I don't believe he even infringed on any copyrights laws!

Designer Zinoo Park

The irony of all ironies was that during the exhibit, REAL LVs were silk-screened with the words FAKE and were available for sale. Shortly after that, there were knock-offs of the FAKE LV bag. This begs the question, are you buying for art, or for the quality of the product itself, when you're willing to pay for a fake LV that's stamped FAKE all over it? And would you use a real LV that had the words FAKE on it? What makes one better than the other? And are you then ripping off the artist, or the conglomerate? Who loses out the most here?

Real FAKEs above

Fake FAKEs below

Source & Source & Source & Source