LOUIS VUITTON at the Grand Palais

Louis Vuitton will celebrate “Volez, Voguez, Voyagez – Louis Vuitton” at the Grand Palais from December 4th, 2015 till February 21st, 2016.

Curated by Olivier Saillard, this exhibition retraces Louis Vuitton’s great journey from 1854 till today, through depictions of the Maison’s founding members and those who create the Louis Vuitton of tomorrow.

"Louis Vuitton has always been at the avant-garde of creation. More than a century after, if Louis Vuitton remains at the helm of fashion, it's because we continously inspire ourselves from the past while anticipating trends of our times. For this exhibition, Olivier Saillard has immersed himself in the archives of our Maison to decode its secrets. He delivers a fresh vision of our past, present and future." says Michael Burke, CEO of Louis Vuitton.

The Grand Palais was constructed in 1900 during one of the most spectacular Universal Exhibitions in Paris which welcomed 48 milllion visitors. At this turning point of the century, Georges Vuitton was in charge of organizing the whole section of "Travel & Leather goods". The Louis Vuitton booth, surprisingly in shape of a merry-go-round, presented the Maison's most innovative luggage and elegant bags and was the center of attention.

You can book your visit here.

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Nicolas Ghesquière for Louis Vuitton

As much as I want to dwell in my world of denial that Marc Jacobs is no longer with Vuitton, I guess I have to face reality today that Nicolas Ghesquière is officially named artistic director of women's collections. It's an end of an era and I know I'm a bit dramatic about all this, but...I guess we'll see.
 

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Louis Vuitton Shopping Now Available on Mobile Devices

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Louis Vuitton Objets Nomades Collection

 Louis Vuitton unveils its Objets Nomades Collection in its Miami Design District store.  Featuring 16 travel-inspired items from 11 designers and studios such as Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby, Christian Liaigre, Fernando and Humberto Campana, and Oki Sato of Nendo.  LV is known for their folding beds and  travel furniture in trunks but Objets Nomades are a combination of production and special order pieces featuring of course the luxurious Nomade leather. Above is Campanas’ Maracatu limited-edition hanging travel cabinet ($52500), which is crafted out of Nomade strips.

Other items that are still in the prototype stage are Patricia Urquiola’s Stool, which unfolds like a flower; Nendo’s lamp, a leather shade backed by LEDs that conveniently rolls into a tube and tucks neatly into a leather carrying strap; and Maarten Baas’s Beach Chair, a new interpretation  on the old-fashioned stadium seat, that folds in attaché case.

The collection will be on view through Dec. 9, and will then travel to the following Vuitton boutiques: Omotesando in Tokyo, Marina Bay in Singapore, Taipei 101 in Taipei, New Bond Street in London, Champs-Élysées in Paris and SoHo in New York.

The Bell Lamp, designed by Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby, has a blown-glass shade with a solar-powered light, and Nomade straps for hanging. $3350

This lamp, by Oki Sato of Nendo, consists of an LED-backed Nomade shade that rolls into a tube, and stores neatly in a carrying strap.

The Beach Chair by Maarten Baas folds up into what looks like an attache case with its Nomade details.

Atelier Oï’s The Hammock is made of Nomade leather, with gold-plated fixtures. $3200

Christian Liaigre’s folding Travel Desk has a maple frame and a Nomade top. $34900

Patricia Urquiola’s Stool in Nomade (above & below)

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Ruby Jean Wilson snags LV Ad Campaign

Ruby Jean Wilson is going to be the face of Louis Vuitton for the coming Spring Summer 2013 ad campaign.  Wilson landed both the opening and closing looks in Marc Jacobs's spring show and a spot opening the Louis Vuitton catwalk. "She's the girl we chose", Jacobs told WWD. Shot by Juergen Teller, I can't wait to see what Marc has in store for us!

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Louis Vuitton USA Cloth Tags

Photos: img I was so distressed when I saw these photos early this morning. Apparently there is a bit of change in how Louis Vuitton labels its bags here in the US. America is very strict with its labeling of commercial goods and I guess LV was required to show that they outsource some materials from other countries (which ones, who knows?!). The solution, well, they removed the made in U.S.A from the leather tab and affixed a cotton label somewhere else within the goods (bags, wallets, etc...) I wonder if the rest of the factories (France, Italy & Spain) would soon follow. The leather tab doesn't LVook complete to me and I felt like it was literally SILENCED. I guess, with the huge demand for LV, the company is thinking of ways on how to supply the world. In the back of my mind, I always had the nagging suspicion that some parts of my purchases MAY come from countries where labor conditions are not ideal; that the LV that I LVoe and met five years ago is not the same as it is today...so sad.

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Eeeekkk!!!!

After I posted the exhibition details of LV and MJ, I decided to check youtube if there were any videos posted about it. At the 0:33s, this is what I saw! The trunk was actually shown quite a few times. To think that it travelled in that particular time period from France to Manila is simply amazing. LVoe, LVoe, LVoe it!!!

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Louis Vuitton Marc Jacobs

Louis Vuitton - Marc Jacobs, opened yesterday at the Musée Les Arts Décoratifs in Paris. Serving as a double biography, it highlights the contributions of each man in the world of fashion. Vuitton, an innovator that forwarded the luggage industry stretching into our times and Jacobs, a designer who in 15 years has made LV a power house to be reckoned with. What does Marc think of the exhibition? "I think curators have a kind of cerebral, heady, comparative narrative thing going on. For me the reward of doing what we do is doing it, not when it's done. And when people wear it and love it and covet it or can't wait to have it, whatever it is. So I think my attitude towards the whole thing was that I was very flattered, but how do we make this experience of what fashion is all about - which is the joy." An analysis rather than a retrospective, this parallel Vuitton-Jacobs comparison will provide new insight into the fashion system during its pivotal periods, beginning with its industrialisation and ending with its globalisation, focussing also on its artistic professions and crafts, technological advances, stylistic creations and artistic collaborations ~ Musée Les Arts Décoratifs. Click here.

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Hong Kong as a woman: Louis Vuitton launches international film series

Louis Vuitton launched a new short film series February 22 hoping to capture the essence of different cities from across the globe in relation to gender. Hong Kong is the subject of the debut film and presents the Asian destination as if it were a woman with appearances from students, various career women and rising star in Asian cinema Grace Huang. Directed by Jean-Claude Thibaut, who has previously collaborated with the likes of Armani and Dolce & Gabbana, the film is the first in a series to be uploaded on Louis Vuitton's YouTube channel. Focusing on cities from across the globe, the pictures will use gender as "a lens to interpret each city's identity." The project's gender-related metaphor is an interesting one, following on from the recent surrealist release from Italian label Miu Miu -- which saw women transforming themselves into dresses and starred Italian actress Maya Sansa. Directed by Italian moviemaker Giada Colagrande, short film "The Woman Dress" was the third installment of the label's Women's Tales Saga, which was made to explore "the feminine love affair with Miu Miu".

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Louis Vuitton and Yayoi Kusama

When I first started getting into LV, a documentary film by Loic Prigent entitled Marc Jacobs and Louis Vuitton was my nightly viewing habit. In it, I met the Japanese avant-garde artist Yayoi Kusama and her influence on MJ. I believe the documentary even implied that part of the 2007 Spring Summer Collection was inspired by her with those ubiquitous polka dots. Currently, Louis Vuitton is supporting Ms. Kusama at the Tate Modern in London with an exhibit from February 9 to June 5, 2012. Kusama and Louis Vuitton will also collaborate for several art pieces, which will be showcased in the Bond Street Maison’s dedicated exhibition space. I can't wait for the "Inspired Collection" from MJ. LVoe it!!! For the Tate, visit here. . For LV's click here.

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Louis Vuitton "Inspiration Song"

This Friday night, Louis Vuitton is hosting the Young People’s Chorus of New York City, its first-ever recipient of the Louis Vuitton Inspiration Grant. The invite only event in the Big Apple is the stage wherein LV will unveil their very own “Inspiration Song”, inspired by Bruno Aveillan’s Louis Vuitton film “A Journey.” Louis Vuitton North America president and chief executive officer Valerie Chapoulaud-Floquet had this to say about it: “The inauguration of the Louis Vuitton Inspiration Grant, which recognizes the accomplishments of exceptional youth arts programs, is a reflection of our deep commitment to arts education here in North America”.I can't wait to hear it! Just so you know, the photo is Helena Christensen in Duran Duran's 2011 'Girl Panic' vid.

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Louis Vuitton unveils Sydney Store

And it's not just any store, it's a Maison, one of the 13 boutiques that holds this title was opened today for the Aussie Fashionistas down under. Cate Blanchett was invited to do the honors of cutting the ribbon. The new store is located on George and King Street, just across the road from the Apple store. As a side note, I read that Yves Carcelle, exiting chief executive of LV popped into the Manila store (my home country) on Thursday. LVoe it!!! Cate LVooking positively raidiant in a SS 2012 dress. Miranda Kerr Lara Bingle Jessica Gomes. Hmmm...I wonder if the Australian gents also wore Vuitton. Callan McAuliffe Dan Carter

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Louis Vuitton Walnut Dress?!

Photographer Fulvio Bonavia’s envisions and shoots ‘Food Dresses’ for Garage Magazine's debut issue. Fulvio who has a book called A Matter of Taste, has been known for his food and fashion combination photographs. He worked with stylist Giovanna Battaglia on this project. “It was a really good collaboration, as we were very much on the same page with all the concepts,” “[Giovanna] proposed we do a different look for each different fashion brand, with an interesting structure and textures, and I worked on how to realize these concepts and decide which food would be the right choice.”

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Louis Vuitton to enter Fragrance Business

Louis Vuitton reportedly has a fragrance in the works. Third-generation master perfumer Jacques Cavallier-Belletrud is said to be leading the House's first foray into scents. Known for his best selling creations such as L'Eau d'Issey, Nina by Nina Ricci and Stella by Stella McCartney to name a few, LV is leading the movement to reinstate perfumers to head up a company's fragrance selection. Marc Jacobs, LV's creative director, has expressed the desire to have a perfume for LV a few seasons ago especially in the light of his brand's best selling Daisy and Lola. Monsieur Jacques, I hope the sampaguita, my country's national flower, will impress your nose and include it in your much awaited concoction! LVoe it!!!

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Louis Vuitton Architecture and Interiors Book

OOOOOOHHHHHH...a new book is coming out!!! Slated to be released early October, the book features Louis Vuitton stores worldwide which I know have become landmarks in themselves. There's a bookstore edition for $85, but for a few bucks more, you can acquire the limited editions ones from boutiques for $130. LVoe it!!!

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More Vuitton Covers for September 2011

Special thanks to Hydie and Sara! LVoe it!!! Cindy Crawford for Harper's Bazaar Singapore Katie Fogarty for Vogue Australia

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Vuitton on the cover of September Issues

Fetish and Fantasy by Louis Vuitton is what these top models have been hired to wear on the cover of fashion mags. LVoe it!!! Milla Jovovich for Elle Germany Gwyneth Paltrow for Elle USA Heidi Klum for Harper's Bazaar Russia

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Louis Vuitton “La Belle Jardinière" Honey

Back in the summer of 2009, Louis Vuitton installed three bee hives on the roofs of its headquarters in Paris. This year marks their first harvest and they have bottled and packaged them to send to select "friends and family" of the House. I wonder if the worker bees carry lil' LV bags as they hunt for nectar in the City of Lights. What LVoely packaging!

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Cabas Mezzo to be re-released?

This is how I remember Angelina with her LV --- pregnant. There are rumors circulating that the Cabas Mezzo is going to be re-released for a limited run due to the influx of requests after the Core Value Ads came out. Now, I think the one in the ad is actually the Cabas Alto, a much bigger version but the Mezzo was the more popular one. So let's wait and see if LV will really answer the demands of the people.

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Giant Louis Vuitton suitcase to be demolished in Shanghai

OOOOHHHH NOOOOO! The humungous Louis Vuitton suitcase advertisement in Nanjing Road, Downtown Shanghai may be torn down within a week after the city government launched a crackdown on advertising that violates regulations. The 20 meters tall and 4 meters thick advertisement was built to conceal construction but it violates the 9 meter cap that the city ordains for ads. It's a shame but I guess I understand the residents that complain that other companies might follow suit.

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