British COOL
Fashion’s recent passion for the mystery and dark glamour of film noir inspired more than front-row desire for ’40s dresses and Marcel waves. In a probable nod to London’s role in Britain’s take on the genre (the city provided the arresting backdrop for movies such as Night and the City and It Always Rains on Sunday) Longchamp opened an impressive three-storey boutique on Regent Street.
Amid the splendour of champagne, canapés, and deejay Alexa Chung’s upbeat spin, guests admired the finest leather goods in what has been dubbed “La Maison in Motion”. It was a welcome break from the madness of London Fashion Week as well as the chance to discuss each tongue-wagging show and digest favourite runway looks.
Reiterated in a limited edition specially for the grand occasion was the much-loved Légende bag. Beautifully crafted in patent calfskin as black as the city’s iconic taxis, the British version comes aptly customised with the Union Jack and already counts Kate Moss, Madonna, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge among its famous fans.
“It was during a photo shoot for our advertising campaign that Kate Moss saw the bag for the first time and recommended that I add a flamboyant flame red lining,” shared Sophie Delafontaine, Longchamp’s artistic director. “In a way, it was my first collaboration with her.”