twitpic: the frankenshoe

slowly warming up to these shoes form the Prada men’s S/S 2011 show:

but i still wish the soles stopped at espadrilles.

mark your calendars

 7 October 2009, Wednesday 14:30 (Paris)
                 – Louis Vuitton Women’s Prêt-à-Porter Spring/Summer 2010 show.

the waiting and guessing game starts now…

ilLVstrated ii

"African Queens" by Michael Roberts for Vanity Fair, April 2009:

from the LV Spring Summer 2009 runway:

a little blurb about this multi-talented artiste and a few of his legendary & highly sought after (i read somewhere that Madonna is still waiting for her turn) portraits HERE.

images: Vanity Fair, Style.Com.

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

FIRST LOOK: LV Men S/S 2010

im liking what i see so far:

photos: Pierre Verdy,AFP/GettyImages 

could this be the return of TaÏga epicea green and my long hoped for blue?

i also spy a pair of shoes entirely covered in black/silver sequins (its actually pretty hard to miss) and a pair in gold leather which im totally feeling.

more detailed pics and a full review very soon!

a little “AHA!” moment

music legend John Lennon is being honoured with an exhibit at the The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Annex NYC. while going through some photos of the rather macabre but pignant exhibit, i came across a bunch photos of him taken from the 1975 Grammy awards:

here’s a video too:

spot something familiar? all fell into place when i realized that this has got to be part of Paul Helber’s inspiration for S/S 2007 for his first menswear collection for Louis Vuitton.

Mr Helbers don’t do obvious references and likes completely disparate juxtapositions. for this particular season it was Hawaiian Victoriana, but its not necessarily as simple and straightforward as that. i knew there’s got to be a story – albeit subtle and even more obscure – behind the rather flamboyant brooches. now im pleased to finally find out why.

and the boss approves:

tonight i shall be wearing my Louis Strass pin with a white gardenia in memory of Mr Lennon.

related entries: dazzled into submission, the tiniest spark, another promising season.

images: google. men.style.com, vman.

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

the tiniest spark

here’s a little something….

these were part of the swag given out during the press launch of  Louis Vuitton’s S/S 2007 preview in Singapore.

boys got the mini Louis pin while the girls got a Liberty print fabric bracelet:

they were a little taste from the runway:

i’ve been hunting for this smaller Louis Strass pin since i got his big brother* two years ago:

while the larger one is definitely a stunner, its not exactly for everyday. the little fella is much more manageable and is just perfect as a skinny tie pin:

photos don’t really give them justice. especially with my photographic skills. one must experience how the grey tinted Swarovski crystals catch the light:

the future is bright… sparkle in motion!

*you can read more about the larger Louis Strass pin HERE.

UPDATE: LV Men’s F/W 2009

here’s a little tidbit from my SA…

just as they did in F/W 2008* with the introduction of Damier Graphite* where they showed both permanent collection bags and luggage:

alongside LE/runway pieces:

for Fall/Winter 2009* they will release a new permanent line of Monogram canvas bags and luggage trimmed with black leather aimed mainly for the boys:

while the season’s LE/runway pieces will be the ones with the honeycomb matelassé treatment:

im just as anxious as you to know which ones will actually make the cut and show up on the shop floor. unfortunately my SA couldn’t tell me any more info besides the distinctions i’ve just mentioned. not everything walked down the runway and we know that things get altered a bit or completely scrapped, but here’s what’s possible:

i spy a Tadao* looking tote among them which im mighty keen about.

but my #1 target is still this:

i hope the LV gods would heed. September seems like such an extremely long way away.

*le sigh*