Feature Bag #8: Toile Chemise Tanger Sac Plat

it's been a long time coming... two whole years in fact, but the Tanger Sac Plat is finally part of my collection:


the only bag from the Men's S/S 2005 show collection



that sported the striped shirt fabric similar to the material they used for the legendary 1878 Bed-Trunk:



which probably explains why this bag comes with a little cushion:



while the geometric V screen print is taken from Gaston Vuitton's (1883-1970) personal monogram as seen on this 1901 Steamer bag:

these two historical references is what attracted me to this particular bag. but it somehow always gets bypassed for something i thought was more worthwhile having. but one last opportunity made itself available last week and i was most certainly not going to let go this time.

... and im still very pleased and relieved i finally got one!

Specs:
> Tanger Sac Plat en chemise toile, S/S 2005 - cotton polyester blend fabric with vachetta leather trim - brown "sari" cotton lining - interior slit pocket - dimensions: 34.5 x 40 cm - RRP AU$1,210.00

PS: i would've also loved the Keepall if it only made it to production




photos: Louis Vuitton, Men.Style.Com.

LV men's F/W 2007 runway review

i've just been drooling over most of the stuff since photos came out last week. the first thing that hit me is the similarity to the colour palette they used in the men's Spring/Summer collection back in 2003:



although the latter is more 80's dandy as the former is Discovery Channel.

im not a t-shirt kind of guy, but i think i might just have to have these:

rather Pradaesque don't you think?

let's now move on to the bags:


i quite like the shape of this bag. it reminds me of my Mono Glace Bobby with handles. it looks like they're continuing the Cuir Bequia line into Fall with it's distinct square perforations and platted zipper pulls. the Monogram Canvas versions aren't bad either:
_

as much as i love my Vail Blanket Cabas, im not too sure about this felted wool version though:


in dreams this bag shall remain for me:


i also like these huge leather hobos:


the stripes recall the striped runway artist Jim Lambie did for the F/W '06 show:

could these bags possibly be another Jim Lambie collaboration?

and lastly.... LV seems to be pioneering evening bags for men:


i don't see myself wearing them out in public, but i sure as hell love these metal minaudiéres. it's got "highly collectible" stamped all over it - an instant must have in my books.

that's it for now. a new feature bag will follow soon.... stay tuned.

2006: the year of the hand-held totes

for me anyway. although i still value the hands-free convenience and laid-back casual look of messenger bags, after years of exclusively collecting them i was ready for something new. cue in this year's LV men's show collections for Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter - with nary a messenger bag in sight!

and here's what i've got so far:


l-r: Vail Blanket Cabas (f/w'06), Tobago shoe bag (s/s '06) and Ouvea Carryall (s/s '06)

although it took me a while to get used to having only one free hand now, it was such a welcome change and somehow totes seem to give a less casual, smarter look. sure most would see me as a "dude with the large handbag", but at a time when men carrying bags have finally become mainstream, totes will eventually follow. laugh now....

my precious

i've got a Vuitton ring which i wear quite often. it's not precious metal nor does it have diamonds like my other rings but its a favourite of mine. it's the Chevaliere ring in sterling silver with a tiger-eye stone from the men's f/w 05 collection:

they had two diffferent stone options - tiger eye and snowflake obsidian. i was lucky enough to snap one up as only 3 of these made it to Australia (or so i've been told). this year, LV decided to release the obsidian again and i was sure as hell won't miss out again. so here it is:

the black & silver goes very well with my Larry

i really love them and LV should make some more. maybe with lapiz lazuli or rutilated quartz perhaps?

Feature Bag #5: TaÏga Viktor

it's time for me to feature another bag from my collection. this month, i present to you Viktor:

This is from the Taiga collection of men's bags and accessories. Viktor has a special spot in my heart beacuse it is the very first bag i really lusted over. Originally availabe in Epicea (evergreen), Acajou ("cashew" ~ burgundy) and Ardoise (slate grey/black) colours, the Taiga collection is LV's first ever collection dedicated entirely to men. Back in the days when all i wore were black and silver metal (the height of Tom Ford's aesthetic reign), the Taiga Viktor in Ardoise was just the perfect bag for me. The subtle cross-grained calfskin leather is complimented by the brushed palladium hardware that makes these bags quite understated but still oozing class and sophistication. This particualr model has a distictive and unusual elastic band closure also seen on his Monogram Abbesses and Damier Bastille cousins. It sports an adjustable shoulder strap that goes right around 3/4 of the bag, a zipper back pocket, 2 open pockets under the flap and another zip pocket inside. Dimensions: 13" L x 11" H x 4" W. RRP: AU$1680.00.

Feature Bag #4: Defile Liege Fantassin Satchel

this month i present to you my Fantassin satchel:




this is from the men's 2001 Fall/Winter "Liege" (Legionnaire) show collection

which had a very strong military influence and it is evident on all 3 bag models made for this line. the Fantassin - it means infantry/foot soldier in French - is the smaller of the two satchels produced. the collection is constructed from the finest black (i've also heard there's a deep army green colour) boxcalf leather, the very same leather used in classic Hermes Kelly bags. and it is complemented by solid brass hardware with an antiqued finish to complete the look. this bag's relatively small size, understated style (ie: barely noticeable LV) and unusual but secure closure has made itself very indispensable and highly dependable..... definitely one of my faves.

Comments

>Gordie
Hihi....i have never seen this bag before, was this only offered to VIP's ore was it an "invitation only" purchase?? I really like it!!
18 July 8:39 PM
(http://gordonqian.spaces.msn.com/)
> deluxeduck
it's a men's runway piece just like the Tobago bags this year. but this was a couple of years before the Murakami/Multicolour craze... when LV popularity was not as widespread. that's why it's relatively obscure. sometimes people think it's fake. i just laugh.
18 July 10:16 PM
(http://deluxeduck.spaces.msn.com/)

new LV trinket

lately i've been wearing this charm necklace almost everyday:



it is from the current men's Spring/Summer '06 runway collection.




that odd-looking charm is a silvered coral branch and the other is an LV-inscribed rare ebony pendant. i first saw pictures of this from the "look book" way back in January. i immediately asked to be put on the waitlist. disappointingly, i missed-out. fast forward a few months later while the parentals were in Vienna attending a conference. i asked mum to keep her eyes peeled for this necklace just in case they still have them over there. and just my luck they did!


YAY for J!!!!



PS: it goes very well with my tiger's eye ring no?


(from the men's F/W'05 collection)



i can't wait for summer!

Feature Bag #3: Ouvea Carryall

its been a while since i did one so today i present to you....

my new Ouvea Carryall

isn't it a beauty? my newest and least conservative piece to date. sorry kids, daddy's got a new no.1 fave. i instantly fell in love with LV's new chain pattern since i first saw photos from the Spring '06 Men's show.

the Carryall is the latest soft-sided luggage they released this Spring. it is also available in luxurious Tobago leather and classic Monogram canvas. but this new model combined with the rather obscure Ouvea canvas = INSTANT HIT (in my books anyway). this strictly limited Ouvea line is constructed from a whipcord-like canvas with a Monogram chain jacquard pattern and tanned leather handles and trim. and like my Keepall50, i also had my first inital heat-stamped on the luggage tag:

it's just the perfect everyday bag when i need to lugg around a pile of texts and my tiny Powerbook. i still can't get over how beautiful the chain pattern is. it is very different from the usual LV monogram and i really like the retro feel of it too. a guaranteed head-turner.

I LOVE IT!

specs:
- Ouvea canvas collection - men's Spring/Summer 2006
- limitation: 100 pieces (?)
- vegetable-dyed tan leather trims
- polished brass hardware
- terra-cotta canvas lining
- 2 lateral pockets, 1 interior zipped pocket
- brass padlock, keys and matching luggage tag and handle keeper included
- dimensions: 41w x 31h x 28d
- retail price: AU$2,080.00

Excess Baggage

here's my scandalous LV Collection pic:




im still very flattered some rogues spent time and energy talking about something they consider too pathetic when they could use it for things heaps more worthwhile. thank you =)


posted as a reference for lovers and haters alike. enjoy!



Comments
> YiKa
wow...
30 September 11:06 PM
(http://dorayika.spaces.live.com/)

>Michelle
Wow.. Very impressive collection!
I found your blog through your livejournal (which I found through the louis_vuitton community). I've gotta say you are one lucky man. I wish my husband approved of LV. But then, we'd have to have a massive bank loan approved ;P
Ah well, I can live vicariously through your blog. :)
14 June 5:51 PM

i've been cheating

though i am a certified LV maniac, i am not brand exclusive. since last year, i've become a member of the extemely insane Balenciaga bandwagon. and i have these triplets as proof:

(l-r: black, taupe and ebony)

i just LOVE its very relaxed casual style. and the distressed goatskin is the supplest around. it feels like my grandma's skin. i'm so fond of them, i have 3...... and counting. and i must confess: lately, i use them more often than my LVs. if Balenciaga hadn't produced the Men's Day bag (formerly known as Sac Messenger), i would probably only be silently admiring these now legendary bags from a very safe distance. Balenciaga's Nicolas Ghesquière certainly made his name with these motorcycle inspired line of leathergoods. and everybody thought nobody could top the LV Multicolour craze three years ago (still not a fan).

now that i have all the "safe" colours covered, im ready for (as a friend suggested) some punch. im thinking of either the new tealy-blue (avio), deep violet (ink) or oxblood (bordeaux) colours they have for 2006:

and maybe a grey Weekender (aka Voyage) as well. yes folks.... the duck has caught the B* bag bug too.