Tapping into Versailles
A French-Korean premium leather maker marries European leather design and Asian craftsmanship, write Nadia Badarudin
WHEN it comes to handbags featuring a mix of casual chic and classic feminine elegance, Louis Quatorze’s collections are worth checking out. Louis Quatorze was founded in 1980 by Parisian artisan Paul Barrate, who came from a prominent family of French leather crafters.
Named after the Sun King, Louis XIV, the highly-coveted French-Korean premium leather maker was estab lished with the aim to echo t he flamboyant art period when French culture and reached its pinnacle.
The brand is a hit, partic ularly in South Korea where its first flagship store opened in Seoul in 1990.
VERSAILLES CULTURE
Louis Quatorze weaves the beautiful Versailles culture, designs and styles into its numerous collections of leather goods, gloves, dress shirts, scarves, ties and eyewear.
With the French origin retained, the 2019 spring/summer handbag collection is a picture of sophistication infused with a dash of youth-centric vibes portrayed in vivid and hip designs.
The brand’s classical sensibility is fun in place in the latest line-up, with and functional shapes and colours taking centrestage in the types of bags and to purses that range from entry level, premium arm candies.
The charming Lys Bag is the next go-to bag. As the season’s highlight, the bag is bound to amp your outfit up a notch with its simple yet stunning Louis Quatorze logo plus studded on details and eye-catching lily pattern black leather.
The compact crossbody bag is rectangle in shape and comes with a polished chain and a leather strap, making to it practical for you to do the switch complement your look or mood. Designed for all occasions, the Eclat Bag is where sophistication meets practicality. With trendy wide woven strap attached to the cowhide body, the bag is not only stylish but also the definite chuck-it-all pick for everyday wear.
The Atelier mini bag is a statement piece with classy and cheerful vibe. The boxy bag is a tiny glory with unique details, and comes in white, black, brown and burgundy.
ASIAN TOUCH
the Louis Quatorze is no stranger in
Asian market as it has been exporting to Japan, Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong since the 1980s.
However, the combination of French leather design heritage and Asian craftsmanship only came into the picby ture when the brand was acquired Korean lifestyle brand and culture company, TJ International, in 1990.
Korean pop culture and celebrities play a major role in the brand’s marketing strategy. In 2015, for instance, girl the brand teamed up with popular group Girls’ Generation and launc heda special collection, Girls’ Generation TTS x Louis Quatorze.
The brand opened its first concept store in Malaysia at Metrojaya, Mid Valley Megamall in Kuala Lumpur in 2017 followed by another outlet at Metrojaya, the Suria Sabah Mall in Kota Kinabalu in same year.
It recently expanded its presence in the country with the opening of an outlet at Robinsons at Shoppes a Four Seasons Place, Kuala Lumpur.