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!


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