Feature Bag #26: Cuir Soana Sac Plat

its been a little over two years since my last a feature bag post. not for lack of bags but for lack of time (and quite honestly, a waning interest – i can't be bothered).

but anyway, today i present to you my Soana Sac Plat in marron (dark brown):

from the Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2007 Runway collection designed by Paul Helbers.

here's the bag as seen during the presentation in Paris:

constructed out of highly durable and rather unusual kangaroo skin, the Soana leather made its debut during this collection and has since made a reappearance in the S/S 2008 menswear show and the recently concluded F/W 2012 Women's RTW extravaganza patchworked into skirts and coats.

here are a couple of detail shots of the bag including the blind stamped branding, contrast stitched 'Geometric V' motif, polished golden hardware….

… micro monogrammed cotton lining and brass plaque label.

and here it is with brother, the transmogrifying Soana Sacoche:

my Soana Sac Plat has been my go-to bag when i need to just chuck everything in for a quick getaway

it's gotta be LoVe =]

feature bag #25: Monogram Miroir Sac Plat

well fun, flashy & frivolous won eventually.

here’s a belated Christmas present to myself, the LV Monogram Miroir Sac Plat in argent:

Monogram Miroir made its debut in Fall/Winter 2006 – a collection of Louis Vuitton’s most iconic bags with a distinctly dipped-in-metal effect. these were inspired by Swiss artist Sylvie Fleury‘s 2000 sculpture of a chrome plated bronze LV Keepall:

this first collection of silver and gold monogram embossed PVC bags proved to be extremely popular that Louis Vuitton has been doing one-shot limited releases of new Miroir bags and accessories since then. usually to mark a grand opening of a new boutique or a special event. for their Holiday 2009 Collection, they selected the Sac Plat to mirrorize. an undisputed classic, this bag in original Monogram canvas is one of LV’s earliest shopping totes. its newest reincarnation keeps true to the original with rolled, saddle-stitched handles, gusseted side panels and a spacious interior with flat pocket, mobile phone pouch and D-ring:

the highly reflective silver surface picks up colours from its surroundings in a somewhat "camouflage effect" as a blogging friend describes it.

here’s some varied displays with different light exposures:

this is possibly the flashiest bag i will ever own. it’s absolutely shameless and i love it!

even my little Edward seems to like his new "hangout" too:

one couldn’t find a more awesome bag to kick-start a new decade.

spread the LoVe!

Feature Bag #24: Cabas Escapade

here’s the final instalment of this month’s back-to-back feature bag reveal, presenting……

the Cabas Escapade:

from the LV F/W 2009 menswear show collection:

the little covered ID pocket as seen on the runway would’ve been a nice extra feature, but im sure there’ve got their reasons to remove it from the final product.

at first i thought the LV Monogram was screenprinted directly onto the microfibre material. but its actually a very fine jacquard weave that plays with the light. the scintillating shiny-matt reflections enhance the contrast between the midnight blue pattern and the burgundy ground colour.

the Brittany veal leather handles & trim and the sparse and roomy interior also sport this season’s key colour: burgundy

but the main feature of this super lightweight tote is that it can be folded into the zip pouch included:

making it the perfect extra bag for incidentals when my bag can’t accommodate.

like i mentioned in my F/W’09 runway review, this bag will polarise people – either you love it or hate it. but i would urge you to see it for yourself. even my brother – who was rather resistant when i first showed him photos of the bag – was instantly converted.

the Cabas Escapade also appeared on the runway in blue, silver and my much hoped for blue feather pattern. but now that it is only offered in the one colour and in the one model, makes the Escapade a little bit more special in my opinion.

and im very much happy with it.

ps: i’ve been humming to this song for the past couple of days and it quite rings true:

"Come on baby let’s get away
Let’s save our troubles for another day
Come go with me, we’ve got it made
Let me take you on an ESCAPADE
Let’s go!"

runway photos: men.style.com

Feature Bag #23: Monogram Macassar Soft Briefcase

here’s my first intake for the new season:

Monogram Macassar Soft Briefcase

this is one of my original Top 3 Picks when i reviewed the LV F/W 2009 Menswear show - the only one that actually made it to production.

here it is again as seen on the runway:

this new collection aimed exclusively for men, is named after the macassar ebony (kamagong) – a highly prized and decorative exotic hardwood known for its striking high contrast of gold and black streaks. this rather unusual combination of the classic Monogram canvas with black leather and silvered hardware was first seen in the Fall 2004 show. it was such an unexpected mix, it took 5 years for them to be reinstated and now offerd as part of the permanent collection. i just love how this slight departure from Louis Vuitton’s signature vachetta leather trims makes this subdued, rather sombre line unquestionably masculine. im sure just like with Damier Graphite, women will be demanding LV make it in a Speedy too. but i doubt that, this one will just be for the boys to enjoy =p

one of my favourite features is the wine coloured interior lining:

my photos don’t give it justice. its actually a richer and deeper purple-red than it appears. i think it’s the perfect complement to the browns and black of the bags. and burgundy seems to be the key colour this season. it can be seen lining all of the men’s F/W’09 bag collections and even in RTW.

first it was Damier Graphite, now this. i’ve also wished for blue Taiga and it did show up on the Spring 2010 runway. somebody in Paris must be reading my blog! hehehe… riiiight. hmmm… how about Tobago leather in dove grey or evergreen for Fall 2010? wishful thinking i know, but its worth a try. you never know

for now i shall be enjoying this:

there’s one more reveal to follow =)

runway/backstage photos: men.style.com

Feature Bag #22: Défilé Utah Doctor’s Bag

this month i present one of the top dogs of my collection:

the Défilé Utah Doctor’s Bag

it is from the Louis Vuitton Men’s Fall-Winter 2005 Collection, which in my opinion was one of their best shows:

the overall theme of the show was Russia at the turn of the century. yes, a full three years before Frida Giannini conjured up her Men’s F/W 2008 collection for Gucci with a very similar theme. this LV collection has got to be the most opulent for the luxury brand to date, where exotic furs like nutira & astrahkan and skins such as ostrich, stingray and alligator abound.

it also appeared in that season’s RTW catalogue:

subtle suede "V" on each side references Georges Vuitton’s personal insignia and the precursor to all the geometric V detailing we see on some of the current LV men’s runway bags:

i usually just pull one of these out for quick access inside:

which is lined with ecru coloured raw canvas and features a large patch pocket:

the antiqued brass hardware just adds to the overall vintage feel of the bag

the unusual handle configuration is saddle-stiched comepletely by hand:

the screen printed initials of the company’s founder were taken from one of his personal trunks:

i also got a mini Utah leather luggage tag stamped with my initial to match

here it is next to one of my regular sized tags for comparison:

this is the bag i fondly call Yuri:

as in Dr. Yuri ZhiBAGo. geddit? =P

Feature Bag #21: Monogram China Run Naviglio

my amazing SA did it again. presenting the China Run Naviglio:

this collection was originally meant for worldwide release back in May 2008 to commemorate the return of the Louis Vuitton Classic Car Race to China (the last was in 1998). but boycotts – in response to the French handling of the Beijing Olympic Torch Realy thorugh Paris, and President Sarkozy’s remarks afterwards – caused delays and postponements for both the race and the merchandise. when they finally pushed through, Australia lost their allocation. surprise, surprise. but the branch manager of my favoured local boutique was able to procure this bag for me from overseas.

the collection is composed of Monogram canvas bags and accessories including a pair of Utah leather driving shoes and white lambskin driving gloves:

they all feature traditional screen printed stripes in red and white and the crest for the LV Classic Car Race:

the panda is a cute touch. the inside is lined in the most vivid red cotton fabric:

we all know that this colour is auspicious to the Chinese. its actually a different red than the ones seen on some Damier ebene pieces.

*i like how the Shepard Fairey print on the background matches it perfectly.

but wait, here’s the matching necktie too:

its a very fine silk in the most elegant shade brown can get. but what i like is the little vintage Ferrari:

the tie is quite nondescript on its "exposed" side but like i’ve mentioned before, few rarely evade the LV monogram:

it gradually appears in the weave towards the narrow end which also bears the crest like a little surprise:

so there you go… another reveal out of the way

there’s still a couple more to follow. 

Feature Bag #20: Stephen Sprouse Tribute Monogram Graffiti Keepall

i know some of you have been regularly checking for updates. please pardon the delay, i’ve just been too busy since i returned to Melbourne. in the next few entries, i shall be revealing a bunch of LoVelies. so hang in there

anyhooo… the wait is over! without further ado, here’s my Monogram Graffiti Keepall 50 in orange:

at long last!!!! and im just as excited about it since i blogged about the rumours back in November. it is very difficult to capture the vibrancy of the graffiti print – i swear it glows in normal light.

the colour is actually more like a radioactive orange-red than this flat tone in the photos

i also think the larger print format of the Keepall compared to the smaller font on the Speedy puts the fluoro contrast into full effect.

i don’t have any black light, but i think it still glows in dim light too:

if reason was to be heeded, one wouldn’t be inclined to get another Keepall particularly if one already owns a Keepall 50 with a strap even. but i was instantly entranced by this fluorescent vision when it emerged from its dustbag. heads turned, gasps heard…. palpitations and tremours felt…. SOLD!

one for work, the other for play.

here it is along with two other Graffiti pieces i acquired last month:

that’s 3 out of the four Sprouse Tribute Graffiti items on my hit list.

one last look…..

it is even more fantastic than i had imagined. im still very much stunned.

Feature Bag #20: Stephen Sprouse Tribute Monogram Graffiti Keepall

i know some of you have been regularly checking for updates. please pardon the delay, i’ve just been too busy since i returned to Melbourne. in the next few entries, i shall be revealing a bunch of LoVelies. so hang in there

anyhooo… the wait is over! without further ado, here’s my Monogram Graffiti Keepall 50 in orange:

at long last!!!! and im just as excited about it since i blogged about the rumours back in November. it is very difficult to capture the vibrancy of the graffiti print – i swear it glows in normal light.

the colour is actually more like a radioactive orange-red than this flat tone in the photos

i also think the larger print format of the Keepall compared to the smaller font on the Speedy puts the fluoro contrast into full effect.

i don’t have any black light, but i think it still glows in dim light too:

if reason was to be heeded, one wouldn’t be inclined to get another Keepall particularly if one already owns a Keepall 50 with a strap even. but i was instantly entranced by this fluorescent vision when it emerged from its dustbag. heads turned, gasps heard…. palpitations and tremours felt…. SOLD!

one for work, the other for play.

here it is along with two other Graffiti pieces i acquired last month:

that’s 3 out of the four Sprouse Tribute Graffiti items on my hit list.

one last look…..

it is even more fantastic than i had imagined. im still very much stunned.

Feature Bag #19: Canwan Palana trousse souple

though we still get the odd shower in the late afternoons and evenings, today is officially the first day of summer here in Australia. to mark the return of the sun and heat, i’ve selected my most summery LV bag to feature this month:

the Canwan Palana trousse souple

from the men’s Spring 2007 runway:

the first collection by Paul Helbers, whom Marc Jacobs appointed to take over the reins of LV menswear. Mr Hebers, who previously worked for Maison Martin Margiela, is fond of unlikely couplings. here, the theme he selected is Hawaiian Victoriana. hence the hibiscus print mixed with black.

i love that they’ve taken such an unexpected turn with florals. which at first may appear a bit garish, but eventually most succumb to its rather uncharacteristically LV appeal. this particular piece was not actually offered for sale. only a Keepall was ever made available to the public, but the print was used extensively in men’s RTW and other accessories:

this soft toiletry bag was a press gift or "swag" given out to magazine editors. they act like little teasers to build interest and to get their wares into editorials. this particualr piece is from someone who works for a men’s fashion magazine in America. it doesn’t have the typical LV datecode but instead it has the "P" stamp denoting its designation:

the material is silkscreen printed cotton canvas similar to my Monogramouflage Treillis and is trimmed in black calfskin:

the interior is lined in black LV patterned cotton with a polished brass plaque indicating its Spanish origin:

here it is next to my large toiletry bag for a size comparison:

i would’ve loved to have the stunning Keepall, but being made of bare canvas it wasn’t the most practical of bags. this trousse is more ideal and useful for me. i’ve actually been using it as a clutch bag from time to time. it fits my daily essentials plus enough space for incidentals. its such a fun and happy kind of bag. in fact every time i carry it, the theme to Hawaii 5-O plays in my head. and it sure gets a bit of attention. not because im carrying a clutch bag but because its a hawaiian print clutch bag.

but i love it!

other featured items from Spring/Summer 2007: Soana Sacoche MM, "Louis" strass pin. 

runway photos from men.style.com, Canwan print collection photo by nitro:licious.

Feature Bag #18: Damier Graphite Tadao

TA-DA!

Damier Graphite Tadao

i just can’t resist a good large tote. especially since this comes with a practical and comfortable shoulder strap. this brand new design is named after the famous Japanese architect Tadao Ando, another Pritzker Prize winner. included in Damier Graphite’s launch catalogue, here is Monsieur Duvauchelle modelling it:

when im feeling understated, the sombre grey-on-black just sets the mood

someone once described the new canvas as a black&white photograph of the original Damier ebene canvas. im inclined to agree. for A/W 2007, they printed photos of Damier suitcases and key pouches on t-shirts:

were they already hinting of things to come? if you want to read more about this t-shirt, click HERE.

while looking rather conservative and corporate, this tote can shift from work to play with ample room to function as an overnighter too:

here’s a photo of the spacious interior fitted with a large internal pocket, smaller patch pocket and mobile phone pouch:

yet another fantastic offering from Vuitton’s newest line. undoubtedly one of the most popular too. SAs from both LV boutiques here in Melbourne told me that the Tadaos are flying off the shelves the quickest. i highly recommend it. get yours today!