Despite the fact that, as we reported last month, Louis Vuitton designer Marc Jacobs is getting sick of the fashion house's frequent collaboration projects, director Sofia Coppola has just signed on to design a new capsule collection for the brand. Coppola, a close friend of Jacobs' who recently appeared in a Vuitton ad (above) with her famed father Francis Ford Coppola, will reportedly create a range of handbags and shoes for the company. Though nothing's been confirmed, it's expected that the new collection will initially only be available in Japan like LV's current collaboration with Comme des Garçons designer Rei Kawakubo.
"I've kind of warned everybody up there [at LV] that I think they've gotten a little too into this idea ," Jacobs said of the collaboration projects just last month. "I'm glad that everybody gets behind it, but what they don't realize is that I do it at a pace that maintains the brand's integrity and seems really right, and I think that sometimes everybody loves a good idea so much that they kind of go too far and it kind of kills it." Perhaps he's making an exception for personal friends like Coppola.
Marc Jacobs pays tribute to 60's style and feminine pastels through his new Daydream collection. With various sizes, shapes and colors the collection offers smooth grain, Italian made leather with a subtle sheen. Although the purple-hued Suvi bag ($1,495) doesn't suit my color fancy the Eugenie clutch ($495) in coffee bean is perfectly stylish (and makes me want to go get another cuppa joe...). Whether you want a shoulder bag, clutch or an in-betweener (like the Diamond bag for $1,295) Marc Jacobs' smart and savvy style shines through in each of the Daydream handbags.
Here's a classy looking clutch that has absolutely nothing in the way of ruffles, gems, or other frills. It's even a fairly rugged shade of pewter gray. The perfect nice-but-just-a-little-casual clutch to go with a favorite sweater dress or maybe nice jeans and a cute top. The Rolls Clutch by Marc Jacobs features an old-time Rolls-Royce on its foldover front with silver-studded wheels, press stud closure, zipped compartments on both the back and on the inside, and an interior fully lined in smooth brown leather. Bring a small bit of unexpected fashion statement to your next get-together. $1,095
If you want a bag that's super feminine without being too terribly frilly this pink Stam Ostrich Tote by Marc Jacobs might be what you're looking for. It is big and pink but it's an earthy shade, plus the ostrich leather gives it an interesting texture. Silver hardware includes a detachable chain shoulder strap and a logo clasp at the top for closure, and other than that it's a pretty simple and straightforward design with a roomy interior (just one zip pocket) lined in leather. $5,500
It's a big, silver, lacy-looking bow that doubles as a clutch.
What do you think of it?
My first impression was 'geez, who wouldn't look tacky carrying that?' But the more I look at the more I think it's really sort of charming. In an off-beat, ultra-feminine- with-a-hint-of-biker-chick sort of way.
The Bow Bag Clutch from Marc by Marc Jacobs features silver metallic leather with a double overlay of netting. It has two pockets (one on each side of the bow's center) each with its own zipper closure and bright pink lining. Also features a short chain strap with attached designer logo. $250
As Louis Vuitton's latest line in collaboration with an outside talent hits stores, the fashion house's designer Marc Jacobs says the increasingly frequent projects have gotten out of hand. Vuitton's new collection designed by Comme des Garçons' Rei Kawakubo just went on sale in Tokyo, but unlike previous LV collections by Takashi Murakami (far right, with Jacobs) and Richard Prince, Jacobs complains that he had no creative input on Kawakubo's, New York magazine reports.
"I've kind of warned everybody up there [at LV] that I think they've gotten a little too into this idea ," Jacobs says. "I'm glad that everybody gets behind it, but what they don't realize is that I do it at a pace that maintains the brand's integrity and seems really right, and I think that sometimes everybody loves a good idea so much that they kind of go too far and it kind of kills it." This could be an indication that despite the massive profits brought in by the trendy collaborations, they could be coming to an end soon, or at least slowing down considerably.
Louis Vuitton designer Marc Jacobs will open a boutique for his signature collection at the lavish Elysian Hotel development in Chicago (right) early in 2009. Jacobs' quirky, so-hip-it-hurts clothing is revered by celebs like Victoria Beckham, who starred in his ad campaign.
Jacobs has inked a ten-year lease on the 2,700-sq.-ft. space, which will be located in the development's Beaux Arts-style retail courtyard. The designer already has a boutique for his bridge line, Marc by Marc Jacobs, in the Windy City.
The 60-story edifice designed by architect Lucien Lagrange, is being billed as "a throwback to the grand hotels of the 1920's with the modern conveniences of today." It features 188 guest suites starting at $600,000, 51 private residences which start at $3 million, and a restaurant by famed chef Charlie Trotter.
This is a big tote that's proud of itself and isn't shy about announcing itself for all to see in big pink letters. Totes are great to have around for all kinds of things, and although this Marc by Marc Jacobs bag doesn't exactly fit into the "neutral" category it is made mainly of black and cream (which both go with a lot), and the concept of spicing up an outfit with a bright shot of color is always in (hence the hot pink!). Zip top closure, monogrammed lining, and 1980s vibe included. $170
Only women looking to make a serious statement, and who really likefrogs, will buy and carry this Evening Rana Pouch by Marc Jacobs. It might not be the boldest wristlet out there, but with an over-sized golden frog (complete with glittering gemstone eyes) perched brazenly on the front it's hardly subtle. Made of kangaroo leather with a lining of silk my favorite feature is the attractive single strap loop-through closure. And if the black isn't bright enough for you now worries, there's always the hot pink option (in case the golden frog alone just isn't going to turn enough heads). 8" x 5 1/2" x 6", $795.
You gotta love a bag named "Groovee," and this Dr. Q Colorblock Groovee by Marc Jacobs has a lot more to love than just its name. Available in two color schemes (wine multi and midnight multi) it's made of casually flashy crinkled patent leather with a flat bottom (including protective metal feet of course), gold metal hardware, a removable shoulder strap, a zip top with an extra long pull tab (yay for less fumbling!), 3 pockets on the inside, and a multi-colored textile lining. $498
As my colleague Deidre Woollard noted the other day, Istanbul has become something of a hotspot for foriegn brands. In addition to the Christian Dior boutique she wrote about, Marc Jacobs, Chloé, Bottega Veneta and Jimmy Choo have all recently opened shops in the Besiktas district, aka the SoHo of Istanbul. The centerpiece of the neighborhood is undoubtedly Starwood's new W Istanbul (which she mentioned as well). This is the first European outpost for W, the fastest growing luxury hotel brand in the world with 22 properties and 18 more in development. Here's a tour of the hip new hotel which W constructed out of a row of beautiful 1870s townhouses. The W Istanbul features 134 luxurious guest rooms including 26 suites -- many with their own private gardens, terraces and cabanas -- a branch of chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten's New York hotspot Spice Market, a sexy Sip Lounge bar, and a signature spa. It also boasts spectacular views of the Bosphorus, the renowned waterway between the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara.
Spring is on it's way, which means I need a new white purse! I found the perfect one while browsing the Ron Herman website. This Marc Jacobs quilted leather purse (which is also available in black) costs $1,375 and features polished golden brass hardware and a removable canvas shoulder strap. What sold me on this purse is the zipper closure. So many purses have tricky inconvenient closures and end up gaping partially or even completely open. The attention to detail that is synonymous with Marc Jacobs never fails to impress. Marc Jacobs has been the creative director for Louis Vuitton since 1997 and remains a favorite designer to many celebrities and stylists.
I like the long, lean look of this bag. The cream colored leather is pebbled for texture and the gentle gathering adds softness. The simple logo medallion looks sharp and goes well with the over sized strap rings. I like it when a designer pays as much attention to the interior of a bag as the exterior. This one has a pretty black and white floral print lining and a 6" zipper pocket as well as two patch pockets. Well-sized at 7"H x 11"L with a 13" strap drop, the bag sells for $228.
I am seeing a lot of variations of this color in handbags this fall and I like it a lot. This deep plum leather is quilted with elastic, giving the bag a bit of give and an overall soft look. Nothing new about the chunky gold-tone chain strap, but it does look sharp against the diamond pattern of the bag. With a single zip pocket and classic kiss-lock closure, it is simply beautiful. $1395.
Louis Vuitton lovers will have a unique temptation this fall. The next issue of the pricey periodical Visionaire will be guest edited by Marc Jacobs. The issue will feature photos of the famously fashionable (Drew Barrymore, Selma Blair, Lil' Kim, Scarlett Johansson, Stephanie Seymour, Gisele Bündchen et al.) by noted fashion photographers Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott. The biggest draw for the 192-page edition will probably be that it comes in a limited-edition Louis Vuitton gold Monogram Miroir case. You can get yours starting October 1 for $375.
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