Everyday living with Louis Vuitton

The star of Marc Jacobs’ new collection Louis Vuitton for spring/summer 2007 is the Tribute Bag, a hodgepodge tote that combines elements of 15 different bags culled from several seasons of catwalk shows. Big and bulky, this stylish Frankenstein is an assemblage of pockets of the LV-inyl, patches of the denim monogram, handles of the embossed alligator purses and more iconic Vuitton totes (although the Murakami snitches are notably absent). These bags come in limited edition, each one a rare, handmade collector’s item.

With this Tribute bag, Jacobs took elements from what’s already there to create something interesting and essentially more special – essentially the underlying theme for the rest of his new entire spring/summer offering for women. Though the main inspiration for the collection looks to 18th-century fabrics and Victorian motifs (lace niceties, voile and organza layered skirts, narrow jackets, lingerie-inspired pieces, corsetry details, and tons of hook-and-eye fastenings), a lot of the individual pieces are chic, updated versions of everyday things. For example, a gray shirtdress made bulkier and threaded with ribbons, or a tailored man’s shirt fitted with ruching details. To go more mundane, all the women’s shoes in this collection come with an open rounded heel inspired by the handles of teacups such as those seen in antiquated brass tea sets.

Then there’s the controversial shopper bag, which, at first glance, looks so much like the checked banig shopping bags that are such a staple in all Asian marketplaces. Come in for a closer look, however, and you’ll see that this cheeky shopper is made of finely-braided leather and, to reassure all LV fans, is boldly stamped with the Louis Vuitton Trunks & Bags logo.

Another common shopping essential, the canvas bag patented by environmentally—conscious brands, was also given an upgrade, and still retains a positive message. Marc Jacobs sequin-embellished the word "LoVe" on plain canvas shoppers (carried down the catwalk brimming with pretty flowers), a sassy connotation that spells, "There’s no love without LV!"

Shown to the Asian press in a high-ceilinged, chandelier-bedecked converted convent in Singapore’s new fashionable Chijmes address, the new ready-to-wear collection for women for spring/summer 2007 is actually reminiscent of grungy Marc by Marc Jacobs rather than classic Louis Vuitton. The juxtaposition of luxurious details with everyday inspirations was joined by sportswear references (outsized combat pants, slouchy tank tops, drawstrings, and multiple pockets) and the deconstructed details popularized by Belgian designers – elements that are contrary to the usual sophisticated and tailored or pretty and feminine pieces of past spring/summer collections.

That’s not to say that this collection for women isn’t feminine or pretty – it is Victorian-inspired, after all. And the setting of the entire show was an enchanted garden where there are good fairies (those in white and pastels) and bad fairies (dressed in black). This time, however, bad triumphs over good, as the best pieces in this LV boudoir are a black, beaded, chiffon and tulle cocktail dress, and a black cinched- waist smoking jacket and black capri pants ensemble worn over a ruffled shirt.

Ironically enough, despite the enchanted garden setting for the women’s collection, it is the men’s ready-to-wear set that is bursting with more color and printed matter. The Victorian theme is still in check, but this time paired with Hawaiian details – inspired from that period when the just-widowed Queen Victoria visited the Pacific Islands while still in mourning.

Brilliant yellow hibiscus set against a black background were soon on shirts, ties, scarves, and the iconic Keepall bag (a must for both men and women). This colorful print set off crisp white and cream-colored cotton pants, piqué jackets and linen jackets.

The men’s collection was typical LV chic. Tailored jackets straight off the British afternoon tea scene were dandified by matching waistcoats, huge Monogram flower corsages in metallic gold leathers, and snappy fedoras.

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