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.



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 #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.

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!

Feature Bag #17: Damier Graphite Ieoh

Damier the GREYt

this has been a long time coming. i've always wished they would play with Damier canvas for a change and imbue it with a more masculine colour palette like black, silver or navy blue. especially after the more feminine Damier Azur has been quite successful since its release in 2006. wish granted! presenting my newest baby:

Damier Graphite Ieoh

this bag is named after Pritzker Prize wining architect I.M. Pei who is widely known for redesigning the entrance to the Louvre and its glass pyramids. the Ieoh is a new larger reworking of the classic Monogram Canvas Nil:

(you can find out more info about the Nil from eLuxury)

after almost exclusively adding hand-held totes and bags to the collection for the past two years, i was hankering for something hands-free and fuss-free. and although this particular bag is now part of the permanent collection, it did appear on last January's F/W 2008-09 Menswear show. here is it's debut:

the bag has also been featured in their F/W'08 RTW catalogue:




and here's a couple of beautiful photos from a Japanese web magazine:

for more info in Damier Graphite, i've also made a few related entries in the lead-up to this: HERE / HERE / HERE / HERE / HERE / HERE / HERE

yes, im obsessed with Damier Graphite. who wouldn't be? this is the first time LV has introduced a new coated canvas in their permanent roster that is specifically aimed towards their male clientele. and judging by just how heavily they're promoting it, the company sure got high hopes for it's success and reel in more men into the LV fold. i really love Damier Graphite and hope to be adding some more in the future. here's one last look:

=D


images taken from: Louis Vuitton, eLuxury, men.style.com & Openers.

Feature Bag #16: Monogram Black Valisette MM

this month i present to you my Valisette MM from the Monogram Black Collection, F/W 2001:




i may have just crossed the line with this one since its actually from the women's show where the colour black dominated. here are the runway shots:


(l-r: GM, MM, PM)

and they were also featured in the F/W'01 ad campaign:


(MM left, GM right)


but just looking at it, who would know? it actually looks quite unisex. the size is just right too. not too small to be mistaken for a handbag, but not big enough to be a suitcase. i just wasn't sure about the rounded corners at first. but im very happy with it now. here's a size comparison with my Epi Larry briefcase* (Men's A/W 2004):




its the perfect, compact, hard-sided and lightweight case to use as a diagnostic kit:




this "little suitcase" is lined in luxurious black silk and trimmed with polished silver hardware:






the Serrure "S" lock ties this modern Valisette to the traditional hard-sided suitcases the house is known for. i love it.




but what exactly is Monogram Black? do not mistake it for Monogram Glacé or Monogram Mat. the only similarity is the embossed pattern on fine calfskin. Monogram Black doesn't have that metallic sheen as seen on Mat. nor is it the same as Monogram Glacé because the leather is slightly grained and it wouldn't attain that mirror gloss patina Glacé is famous for. its actually closer to the smooth leather trim on black Epi or Taiga. here's a close-up:




seen enough? ok, one last look:




mmmmm.....



runway photos courtesy of Style.com; ad campaign photo from Google Images.