Talking from experience, in the winter of 1983, some travel agents and I were invited by Air France on a familiarization tour of Paris. By then, I was already smitten by Louis Vuitton’s leather goods. I had to buy a new handcarry luggage and it had to be nothing but a Louis Vuitton. In brief, in freezing cold, my friends and I found ourselves outside the store joining the scores of Asians (mostly rich Japanese) in a long queue waiting for our turn. At the risk of catching pneumonia, we finally got to enter the store and delighted ourselves with our numerous purchases of LVs, which made us feel like we belonged to the crème de la crème of the fashionistas. Clasping my purchase, I thought it was worth every minute in the cold waiting for my precious Louis Vuitton handcarry which, to this very day, scandalously tattered but sturdy, I still lag around on my numerous trips abroad.
Today, with fake LVs flooding the markets of every country, an LV is no longer to die for. But its stores are still enjoying its traditional snob appeal. I noticed during my recent visit to its Ave Montaigne store in Paris, it was still very crowded and although they no longer make people queue up, the sales force had more than enough clientele on their hands. After 150 years of success in the bag industry, LV has incorporated a fashion line of clothes and shoes with designer Marc Jacobs at the helm.
During Fashion Week in Paris, the House of Louis Vuitton had a big launch which surprised the fashion world. It was not its latest collection of leather goods or clothes.
With a flair for audacity and the unexpected, Louis Vuitton very recently re-invented itself in another direction. True to its tradition of luxury and innovation, it is now entering a new era with the launch of its jewelry collection Emprise. The celebrated reputation of the House finds its match in the realm of jewelry know-how. It is now turning its talents to precious stones, taking us to a gilded journey towards a luminous land of gold and diamonds. The Louis Vuitton spirit, more glamorous and bewitching than ever, combined with a touch of the extravagance, creates the masterpieces. Innovative, luxurious and sensual, Emprise sets out to seduce, brilliantly translating the heart throbs of Marc Jacobs. The original designs of these pieces dress up the body in surprising ways: Chokers, oversized rings, the asymmetrical aesthetics of its earrings and cuff bracelets.
They are timeless pieces, magnificently chiseled and, being adjustable, can be worn according to whim.
I noticed that the Emprise collection featured three resonating themes: The timeless Fleur du Monogram, the essential family of Clous and the frivolous Mini-Malle.
The Fleur du Monogram is finely worked in an ornamental style on precious, square or rectangular plates of white gold. Leather, for which the house is famous, sensually contrasts with diamonds around the neck or the wrist and cascading charms. The lightness of the jewel plays a subtle game of transparency, matching together diamonds, gold and leather. The flower becomes asymmetrical on pendant earrings and rings, and on two rings, it is completely oversized. Clasps are fashioned after the emblematic lock on LV trunks: This functional, adjustable clasp completely integrated into the piece is set with diamonds. The fastenings, like the yellow gold studs evoke the brass touches on Louis Vuitton luggage. These different pieces require extremely precise crafting, especially the Fleur du Monogram princess cut diamond, the product of technical expertise.
The Clous theme highlights one of the House’s main symbols: Studs. The famous studs make their mark in both leather goods and trunks. Here, they reflect the house spirit as well: They come with a special engraved LV insignia, they can be set in diamonds and engraved, or in rings, bracelets or earrings.
Devoted to daily wear, this line can also be dressed up with diamonds and other precious stones.
The Mini-Malle theme is patterned after the LV trunks. These precious mini trunks come in pink or smoked quartz, citrine and amethyst. You can chooses from pendants, earrings or rings, in single or double versions with a subtle mix of stones. Their name, shape and studs all conspire to make Mini-Malle pieces emblematic of their trade.
My personal favorite was a bracelet in the Fleur line, a cuff in white and yellow gold, fully paved in diamonds and with leather laces. As a whole, we all agreed that the collection indeed set Marc Jacobs apart as a jewelry designer. He made our hearts throb with desire to own some of these pieces which, like the LV leather collection, will stand the test of time.
A power group from Hong Kong composed of LV Hong Kong marketing director Vita Wong, West East Magazine publisher Kevin Lee and Melvin Chua of Impak Communications invited me to this fabulous launch. The group, including moi, enjoyed the good service of Air France, France’s flagship carrier which generously flew us in to enjoy the perks of Paris’ Fashion Week. The highlight of the evening was the party we attended after the launch, hosted by a group of friends. The party was in full swing when we arrived and the guests who flew in from all over the globe were having a marvelous time. There were Lily and Bill O’Boyle, and Liana Romulo who flew in from New York, Indonesian singer Anggun who played for us her latest CD, Vicky Zubiri and daughter Stephanie who just flew in from San Francisco. Gourmet chef Melissa Lopez made everyone forget their South Beach Diet with her delicious macaroons. Proud fiance Joel Journe shared in the credits. Unesco’s ace journalist Jose Banaag enjoyed the company of super model but very humble Alek Wek, who came in with handsome boyfriend Ricardo. Alek enjoyed the Filipino dish lechon kawali so much that she went for a third serving. But standing at 5’ll and only weighing 110 lbs., she could have gone for more servings. Lanvin’s top designer Elber Albaz, PR to the stars Yanou Collart, Valentino directors Rabia Sablong and Cristopher Bosc, Marquesa Marie Noel de Fouquieres and perfume man Jean Pierre Grivory were seen enjoying the Filipino delicacies. It was a marvelous party, a fitting ending to a memorable evening of an exquisite jewelry launch.