From Toshiyo with LVoe: The Louis Vuitton Omotesando Store and the /underground/

"Hello Louis Vuitton lover (what is your real name?), I am back from Japan (I live in NJ). As I promised, here are some photos from the Omotesando store and the underground store. I LOVED the multi-color displays, there were soooo beautiful and cheerful. Really well done. I did ask if the mini pandas were on sale and the SA said "No, these are not for sale. But the large panda (the one in the middle of the store) is available for a sale if you are interested". I said "Sure... how much?" She said "21,000,000 Yen" which is about $210K. So I said "Oh... have you found a buyer yet?" and she said "No.... it's actually hard to find a buyer in Japan due to its gigantic size. BTW, the baby panda comes with the giant panda". I thanked for for the information and moved on... One of the SA was VERY nice, I asked her where the bathroom was and she actually escorted me to the secret bathroom, which was hidden in the underground level and actually waited for me outside the bathroom to escort me back to the front door (though this may be due to a security reason). All the SAs there were wearing the white MC bandeau which was really nice. I thought about buying one since I knew it was all out of stock in the U.S. but when I actually saw the scarf, it was too short for me. The underground store is actually a temporary store. It will stay open for another year or so until they find/build a permanent home above the ground. I love the last picture with the little girl - it's never too early to start with your little girl! In general, I saw TONS of people using Louie Vuitton in Tokyo, including the guys which I loved since it's kind of rare to see guys with LVs in NJ. I saw lots of girls using "Totally" already, though it was just released. Sad to say, I didn't buy any LV in Japan as the prices are about 10% more compared to the U.S. and with the unfavorable exchange rate. Hope you enjoy these photos! LVoe your blog BTW. Keep it going! Toshiyo" Thank you so much for taking me and all the LVoe readers out there to Tokyo, Japan through your fabulous photos. It's as if I was truly there with ya! (Well, maybe not in the secret bathroom) LVoe it!!!

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Louis Vuitton /underground/ VIP Gift

OMG!!!! Nix from Melbourne, Australia just sent me a photo of his fabulous VIP gift from Louis Vuitton Japan's /underground/. (previous post). The crates that characterized the temporary concept shop at the Seibu Department Store was the inspiration of this fabulous keepsake. Thanks for sharing this, N. I want!!! LVoe it!!!

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Louis Vuitton Monogram Underground

I am almost done with my humble reviews of the upcoming bags for Spring Summer 2010. Today, I'm featuring the Monogram Underground. Crafted out of my favourite of all luxurious leather, goat or chèvre as the French call it, the collection comprises of devil-may-care bags that are used for daily essentials. Let's start off with the Duffel. Priced at around $4000, the bag is the largest of the collection. I guess, you can configure it's position by choosing one of the four handles that it comes with. Cylindrical in shape, I wonder if it will be difficult to search for things in it. Next we have the Bum Bag which I thought went out of fashion a long time ago but I guess Marc is resuscitating its use. I adore the color combination of brown and aquamarine but will it tempt me enough to buy this double handled bag for $2000? Of all of the pieces, the Messenger seems to be the most practical. I belive it is quite roomy judging from the Runway photos and I can't wait to feel the leather on this one. Estimated at less than $4K. Finally, the Flat bag that was made for the cute-sy factor. I must admit that it is doing a fantastic job of it. I LVoe, LVoe, LVoe the leather pompom detail! Slated to be released at $1500.

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Louis Vuitton /underground/ Store Opens tomorrow

The very first Louis Vuitton store that is situated below ground level(hence the name), opens tomorrow May 30. Located within the flagship of Seibu Department Stores in Ikebukuro, Toshima, Tokyo, this limited "installation" is a concept store outfitted with packing crates to display LV merchandise. American rapper Cool Keith performed in last night's opening party. Sigh...I wish we have these kinda events in the US. Photos from: Fashionsnap & Verbal (who was the host for the evening) Verbal and Cool Keith chatting

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Guess what I got to hold today???!!!

Brought in especially for an in store event, this wonderful Crocodile Lockit was a gem amidst the new collections. But first, lemme share a few snapshots. The first thing we saw was the Monogram Underground Duffle prominently displayed on a shelf on it's own. It's interesting to LVook at, but I highly doubt its functionality. Another piece that was brought out was the Gypsy PM from the Monogram Cheche Collection. Arjay commented that it's quite cavernous so yet again, functionality was lacking. They were meant to be show pieces in my honest opinion. I saw a couple of Fancy Jewelry and a toggle style bracelet caught my eye. Sadly, it's not on the website yet so I don't know the official name but it was gold colored with the Monogram Flower studded in pink stones as the centerpiece. For the finale,the exotics were brought out of their cages: an Ostrich Lockit GM in white and the Crocodile PM. Price of the Croc ~ $20,200!!! Wowzah!!! Obviously, Aris was not interested but the reptile was lined in chevre and crafted impeccably. The photo does not do justice to the deep, rich flesh colour that it truly was. It's an understatement to say that it was pricey. But I LVoe, LVoe, LVoe it though!!!

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Louis Vuitton embarks on new artistic expedition with 'Somewhere Else'

By Monami K Thakur Eighteen "expeditionist" artists are coming together this year to create a unique artistic journey at the 14th Espace culturel Louis Vuitton exhibition titled 'Somewhere Else'. Between February 11 and May 8, 2011, this endeavor by Louis Vuitton offers a new variation on the theme of travel. Over the years, there has been a growing interest among artists to give a whole new dimension to their creation. Some try to relocate their creation in order to define them separately, some work on work installations while some others produce their creations outside of its conventional environment. Such undertakings have, in fact, led to a new artistic movement which is primarily based on encounters with new spaces and other human beings. Curator Paul Ardenne, through this exhibition, brings together a collection of authentic art by some of the most famous "expeditionist" artists. This includes names like Paul Gauguin, Giovanni Anselmo, Tïa-Calli Borlase, Alix Delmas, Yann Dumoget, Joanna Malinowska, Luc Mattenberger, Laurent Mulot, Lucy + Jorge Orta, Fernando Prats, Laurent Tixador and Abraham Poincheval. 'Somewhere Else' will open symbolically with the tragic example of Bas Jan Ader, who set sail in 1975 to cross the Atlantic on an unsuitable boat, at the cost of his life. This will be followed by the iconic example of the Italian sculptor and painter, Giovanni Anselmo, who climbed Stromboli in an expression of contact with the infinite. In the exhibition, different geographical locations have been explored by the various artists. While Joanna Malinowska travels the farthest, in the hostile Arctic regions; Laurent Tixador and Abraham Poincheval try out an underground elsewhere during an unprecedented mobile troglodytic adventure. Yann Dumoget's work, on the other hand, is driven by its need for interaction. Such endeavors focus on the need of an artist to leave a conventional space to create a masterpiece 'Somewhere Else'. Verbatim Source click here.

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Louis Vuitton Mobile Game

Louis Vuitton Japan has created an original game for mobile web SNS and game portal site Mobage Town by DeNA. The free game, called Precious Cargo, will have a limited run from June 25th to July 7th. The simple puzzle game features a backdrop of the brand’s iconic monogram. Players try to line up the boxes with matching designs to clear the boxes, score points, and reveal images of Louis Vuitton products. The debut of the game is timed to follow up the opening of the Louis Vuitton “/underground/” concept shop that opened last month in Ikebukuro’s Seibu department store. For actual article, click here. Gosh, have I but known of this...I guess it's too late now but if there are any LVoe Readers who can send it my way, that would be great!

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