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LouisVuitton

The Most Functional & Stylish Backpacks

Filed under: Handbags


Backpacks
are the go-to, functional and easy to wear bags. It's a no brainer. They offer ample space with plenty of compartments and pockets for organization. Backpacks distribute the weight of what you're carrying over both shoulders as opposed to ending up with one painful shoulder or an elbow.

Unfortunately, they are not the most fashion forward accessory to wear, especially if you are a lover of luxurious and head-turning handbags. So what is a woman to do when you need a practical bag that still exudes your sense of style? How about starting your search with our collection of eye catching backpacks that maintain their functionality. This is far from a complete list, but it serves as inspiration in your search.

First up is Prada's Nylon Backpack ($695) - a favorite of many for a multitude of reasons. It balances functionality and style so seamlessly that it has evolved into a classic and timeless accessory. Made with nylon, it lacks a bulkiness that many backpacks posses, it's easy to keep clean and lightweight. The interior is roomy and the exterior pockets allow for smaller items to be safe and easily accessible. In addition to a front flap closure with a magnetic and buckle closure, there's a drawstring closure for added security. Measurements: 12 1/2"H x 11 3/4"W x 6"D.

View the other backpacks in the collection below.

Antique Louis Vuitton Bench for Sale

Filed under: Decor

vuitton bench
An antique bench upholstered in Louis Vuitton's signature monogram canvas is being offered for sale by Southall Antiques in San Francisco. Priced at $6,400 and probably not a Vuitton original, the unique, eye-catching object is a 20th century Louis XV style parcel gilt and acanthus carved piece raised on cabriole legs that was apparently re-covered at some point in the famed fabric. Given that Vuitton is very careful with its canvas due to the pervasiveness of counterfeiters, we are inclined to wonder whether the fabric itself is authentic. It is nonetheless an attractive and attention-getting design accent for the right decorating scheme as well as an attractive item for vintage Vuitton collectors.

Louis Vuitton Mon Monogram Service Now Available Online

Filed under: Handbags


For some time it has been possible to personalize a Louis Vuitton bag at a number of flagship stores around the world. Now the service is truly global as it is available to all on their web-site.

There are three classic LV bags available for the online service: the Keepall, the Pegase and the Speedy. After choosing the bag and its size there are 17 different colors available for the diagonal or vertical stripes that will adorn your bag. You also have the option to put up to three initials on the bag with or without a "point" between the letters. There are cute features that let you reverse the colors, rotate your bag to view the monogram from all sides, and save your creation to finalize your selection later. If you decide that you must have an entire monogrammed set just push a button and your chosen monogram will be applied to other bags. If you'd like something more complicated, like your family crest, painted on your luggage you'll have to go to a Louis Vuitton store and discuss it with a sales associate in person.

The good news is that you receive free shipping with your online purchase, but be forewarned, the return policy is not the same for the monogrammed items and it can take up to 8 weeks for delivery. It is a bit funny that the web-site touts that there are over 200 million different combinations possible, so even though you are a carrying an LV bag it will be completely unique. However, it does beat tying a piece of colored string to the handle to differentiate your Louis Vuitton from all the others coming off the baggage claim rack at the airport.

Louis Vuitton Sues Hyundai Over Super Bowl Ad

Famously litigious Louis Vuitton is at it again to protect their monogram logo. This time they are taking on Hyundai over the display of a Vuitton-logoed basketball used in in a thirty-second spot aired during the Super Bowl. It's just on the screen for a second or two, but that's enough to make Louis Vuitton angry. The commercial is meant to present the Hyundai Sonata as an luxury item at a lower price and showcases a megayacht parked in a modest neighborhood, policemen eating caviar while on the beat and crystal chandeliers used as streetlights. The NY Daily News reports that Vuitton has filed a trademark infringement suit in Manhattan Federal Court saying the logo is "famous and incontestable."

Louis Vuitton has taken on notable big and small names before. Louis Vuitton sued Britney Spears over use of a Vuitton-embroidered dashboard in a video and legal action from both Gucci and LVMH prevented rapper T.I. from releasing his "Swing Ya Rag" video which highlighted both Gucci and Louis Vuitton products. Pop group Danity Kane got in trouble for their use of Louis Vuitton trademarks used on the debut album and in related videos. The song "Show Stopper" includes the lyrics: "Bet you ain't never seen, Chicks ridin' this clean, Louis Vuitton seats, We do it deadly." As part of the settlement, P. Diddy's Bad Boy Records agreed to remove all visual references to Louis Vuitton trademarks and make available amended versions of the album and video without the Louis Vuitton images. Guitar player Dave Navarro ran afoul of the brand for his use of Vuitton guitar straps.

Check out the full Super Bowl ad after the jump

Louis Vuitton Offers $10,000 Alligator Wingtips

Filed under: Shoes, Men's Style

louis vuitton alligator wingtips
At an astonishing price of $10,000 per pair, Louis Vuitton is offering what are perhaps the world's most expensive pair of men's dress shoes for Spring / Summer 2010. The Manhattan Richelieu wingtips are finished in waxed genuine alligator skin. Designed to embody the famed French firm's tradition of luxury and craftsmanship with a bit of vintage flair, the handmade footwear features intricate stitching and a subtle pattern of perforations. They are crafted using Blake construction, a shoe-making technique designed to impart immediate suppleness and comfort. The thread is embedded in the outsole, making it less vulnerable to wear and tear. The stylish shoes have a glove-soft leather lining, a Ruthenium-finish metal LV monogram cube embedded in the leather heel and a hand-painted leather sole.

[via JustLuxe]

The Downscaling of Ginza, The Changing Face Of Japanese Luxury


Tokyo's Ginza district has long been known as Japan's most fashionable shopping street but the street's changes reflecting the country's fluctuating economic picture. The Independent has an interesting piece on the street's shifting fortunes which have seen luxury brands moving out to make room for a new kind of retailer. In 2008 Louis Vuitton scrapped plans for a new Ginza flagship store. Last year, Versace pulled out of Japan altogether. But those store windows aren't staying vacant. Instead fast fashion stores like Uniqlo, Abercrombie & Fitch, H&M and Zara have moved in. The operators of Japan's Seibu department store announced that the store is closing but Forever 21 is moving in. Where there was once Gucci, now there is Gap.

Last year I wrote about the changing look of luxury in Japan. In the past years, logo-chasing was important to the Japanese shead-to-toe Louis Vuitton was seen as chic. Now many trendsetters favor a high-low approach, combining expensive pieces with more inexpensive items or pairing vintage finds with new pieces. The Ginza area still has enough fancy stores to attract tourists in search of a bit of glamour but with tourism down, focusing on more dependable, regular shoppers seems like a smart strategy.

120 Year Old Vuitton Damier Trunk for $11,000

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Men's Style


We've written before about the aesthetic pleasures of vintage luggage. Now a London antiques dealer is offering one of the most beautiful examples of classic Louis Vuitton we've ever come across. Dating back to 1890, less than 40 years after Louis Vuitton was founded in Paris, the Vuitton Damier cabin trunk comes from an era when well-heeled travelers had a large retinue to cart along their every need even on the most exotic excursions. The Pullman Gallery in London is offering the trunk, featuring the rare Damier checkerboard pattern, brass handles and hardware, and wood and leather trim, for $11,000 to serious collectors. Restored to original condition, the beautiful trunk is most likely the only one of its kind.

[via Luxury Launches]

Louis Vuitton Ella Sunglasses

Filed under: Apparel

ella vuitton sunglasses
Ready to go a little contemporary, retro, and femme fatale all at once? Louis Vuitton's new Spring/Summer Ella sunglasses are a unique blend of style and color, featuring a laser-cut aluminum frame with visor in your choice of bright pink or green color hues. ILVOELV says they look like a new age superhero mask and I have to say I kind of agree -- I can't decide if I love them or hate them! Louis Vuitton certainly gets points for fun, though. $600, look for them in a boutique near you.

Louis Vuitton Raindrop Besace Trash Bag Purses, Handbags of the Day

Filed under: Handbags


There's not a lot to be said about this bag as looking at it pretty much says it all. Louis Vuitton is certainly taking a step into new territory with this Raindrop Besace design, departing from the usual classic and refined style to this edgy, trendy, and somewhat controversial design. Available in two colors (see the green version after the jump) I've heard they're made of leather but look very much like plastic trash bags with drawstring closure. Few details are available but obviously there's also goldtone hardware and a detachable leather shoulder strap (in case you want to carry it by hand like a real garbage bag) and I'm guessing there's no lining or interior pockets to speak of. Watch for them this spring for $1,996 each.

Via Book of Joe

The $35,000 Louis Vuitton Whisky Case

Filed under: Gadgets, Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spirits, Men's Style


Famed French luxury goods house Louis Vuitton has come out with an updated, ultra-luxe version of the classic Whisky Case portable bar that the firm first offered in 1955. Available by special order priced at about $35,000, it's wrapped in elegant Taiga leather, though you can order it in iconic monogram canvas as well. And whereas with its compartment for mixer the previous model was more of a Scotch and soda case, if you will, the new incarnation demands nothing less than the finest single malt. Constructed entirely by hand at Vuitton's atelier in France with fittings, hasps and locks of silvered solid brass, it comes with a silver ice bucket and tongs, silver cocktail sticks in a pull-out drawer, four crystal whiskey tumblers, a crystal decanter with a silver lid, and two crystal "Coupelle" dishes in separate compartments.

Louis Vuitton's Animania Collection

Filed under: Handbags

Louis Viutton Animania Collection
This cute little clutch was inspired by a story that started almost a hundred years ago when the Vuitton family made little wooden toys. Reneé Vuitton, Gaston Louis Vuitton's wife, loved to collect the wooden toys and years later (in 1954) Gaston honored her hobby by dedicating an entire floor of the newly opened Louis Vuitton Avenue Marceau store to the vast collection.

Now Louis Vuitton is celebrating both the collection and the sweet story behind it with the Animania collection of darling little clutches, coin purses, scarf squares, and bag charms. Above is a little rooster clutch in logo-imprinted patent leather, and there's also a songbird in a pretty shade of earthy teal.

The collection uses mostly patent leather, canvas, and karung snakeskin. See the coin purses and the rest of the collection in the gallery below. $220 - $500

Readers' Choice Award Nominees for Best in Accessories

Filed under: Handbags, Jewelry, Timepieces / Watches

Best Jewelry Line
Each of the Readers' Choice nominees for Best Jewelry Line is a leader in the industry. One is not only known for its signature jewelry, but also for the blue box that it comes in. Another is known for its handcrafted pieces, but it is also known for its many innovations. Another nominee is a newer designer on the scene who is inspired by Florentine jewelry-making, but also astronomy, celestial, mythological and astrological influences. Another nominee is synonymous with glamour and fame and has ties to some of the world's most famous jewels. Finally, there's a nominee known for the panache of its founder, as well as its vast collection of the world's finest diamonds.
Graff Diamonds
Harry Winston
Temple St. Clair
Tiffany & Co.
Van Cleef & Arpels

Best Watch Line
The Readers' Choice for the Best Watch Line nominees include a perennially favored brand among the watch-loving elite that is known for making the most complex wrist watch in the world. Another nominee is known for its functionally-themed luxury sport watches. The third nominee, while an historic brand with almost 200 years of heritage, is known for being a forward focused luxury watch maker of the future. A fourth nominee is perhaps the best-known luxury watch brand in the world, with a stellar reputation to match. Lastly, there's a watchmaker that epitomizes Swiss haute horology with its modern classics and technical innovation.
Audemars Piguet
IWC
Jaeger-LeCoultre
Patek Philippe
Rolex

Best Leathergoods Line
The Readers' Choice for the Best Leathergoods Line for a Luxist Award include award-winning brands from France, Italy and London. One started out making equestrian equipment in 1837, and still makes its goods by hand; some of its handbags are so coveted, there's a two-year long wait list to buy one. Another was started in London by a former fashion editor who partnered with a couture shoe maker to create a company now synonymous with the "red carpet". The third nominee is known for its clean lines and simple classic color palettes while the fourth is a global force of tradition and innovation. And finally, the last nominee epitomizes luxury with its delectable designer bags and vaunted luggage--some of which command five figure prices.
Bottega Veneta
Gucci
Hermes
Jimmy Choo
Louis Vuitton

Best Department Store/Boutique
Nominees for Readers' Choice for Best Department Store/Boutique include one based in London that has no fewer than 330 different departments, a staff of 5,000 from 50 different countries and is visited by as many as 300,000 people on a single day. Another, with roots in Texas, is known for its superior customer service, in addition to its luxury merchandise, including some of the world's most extravagant items. One New York-based store has a shoe department that is so large, it was given its own zip code. Another Manhattan-based store specializes in hard-to-find international designers, many of which it will help launch into fame. Lastly, there's an upstart from London that is so cutting-edge and up-to-date, it launches 300 new styles on a weekly basis.
Barneys New York
Harrods
Neiman Marcus
Saks Fifth Avenue
Top Shop

Best Clothing Designer
Readers' Choice nominees for Best Clothing Designer are award-winning fashion designers from Italy, England, France and the United States. One was started by a wunderkind who was named chief designer of one of the most respected fashion houses when he was still in his 20's. Another has been one of the leading names in fashion for nearly 100 years. A third nominee, known for its timeless style, has outfitted First Ladies on both sides of the aisle for decades while the fourth is famed for its understated elegance. The final nominee is synonymous with high fashion though its roots are in luggage and leather goods.
Alexander McQueen
Chanel
Gucci
Oscar de la Renta
Prada

Louis Vuitton Casino Trunk

Filed under: Gadgets


For the opening of its newest boutique in Macau, one of the largest in the world, Louis Vuitton has unveiled an exclusive collection headlined by a bespoke Casino Trunk. The three-story space is part of the famed French luxury label's planned expansion across the Asia Pacific region. Available by special order only, the luxe Casino Trunk contains special drawers and compartments housing a roulette wheel, green baize game table cloths, playing cards, poker chips, gambling dice and a banker's briefcase. "The opening of this store and the investment it represents reflects Louis Vuitton's confidence in this market and the appreciation by the local customer of the quality and craftsmanship of Louis Vuitton's product range," declared Vuitton Chairman and CEO Yves Carcelle.

Louis Vuitton: From Vaunted Travel Trunks to Delectable Handbags

Filed under: Handbags, Shoes


With an array of vaunted leather luggage, delectable designer bags and other accoutrements sold only through its own stores and boutiques, Louis Vuitton epitomizes luxury. No surprise, then, that it's a finalist for a Readers' Choice Award in the Best Leather Goods Category.

Founded in 1854 by a Frenchman of the same name, Louis Vuitton started out specializing in travel trunks. The sturdy luggage was favored by legendary explorers such as Pierre Paul François Camille Savorgnan de Brazza, in whose honor the Congolose capital of Brazzaville is named.

Georges Vuitton carried his father's tradition into the 20th Century, peddling his wares around the world as international travel became accessible to more and more people. But it wasn't until its merger with Moet and Hennessey in 1987 that Louis Vuitton became a true global luxury powerhouse. The resulting conglomerate, LVMH, now pulls down billions in revenue even amid the worst economic downturn in a generation, thanks in part to handbags that often fetch five figure prices.

Chaired by billionaire Bernard Arnault, LVMH has continued its historical trend as outfitter to the stars. Recent ad campaigns for Louis Vuitton have featured celebrities from Gisele Bundchen to Andre Agassi; others -- like the self-styled "Louis Vuiton Don" Kanye West -- have provided publicity for free. Even former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev has been featured in Louis Vuitton ads, proof of the brand's incredible power.

Cast your vote for the Readers' Choice Awards at http://www.luxist.com/awards-vote/accessories-awards.

Lara Stone Replaces Madonna as the Face of Louis Vuitton

Filed under: Apparel


Louis Vuitton is bidding adieu to aging pop chameleon Madonna and replacing her with model-of-the-moment Lara Stone, nearly 30 years her junior, in its upcoming ad campaigns. The Dutch stunner, who appears on the cover of the new British Vogue and has starred in numerous other high-profile ad campaigns, will bring a breath of fresh air to the famed French brand. Stone poses on a bed of moss and ferns surrounded by doves in the new ads, photographed by Steven Meisel, which will debut in Februrary fashion mags. "Because the collection loosely took its cues from the idea of the New Age traveler, we decided to create a green, outdoorsy set that would evoke a spirit of peace and love," Vuitton designer Marc Jacobs tells Vogue UK. "To model the clothes, we wanted a modern, iconic, sexy beauty... It had to be Lara Stone."

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