A handbag? For US$380k, it's yours
LOUIS QUATORZE, a French leather goods and accessories brand has just opened its first concept store in Metrojaya Mid Valley Megamall. A classy addition to the Louis Quatorze empire, the store in Metrojaya artfully weds tradition with modernity.
It was launched by Chris Kim, Louis Quatorze head of global expansion and Derek Yeap, Metrojaya merchandising manager. Also present were Metrojaya marketing manager Diana Roslam, French Embassy senior trade advisor (lifestyle & healthcare) Lyslie Legendre, Louis Quatorze general manager e-commerce JeongHyun Kim, its general manager visual merchandising YunHee Noh and designer Sora Shin.
“The launch of Louis Quatorze’s first concept store in Metrojaya Mid Valley Megamall marks the continuous success of the brand and it reflects a promising demand for affordable luxury products in this country.
"Metrojaya is truly honoured to share and grow the brand in Malaysia. As we move to change Metrojaya to become a more lifestyle store, it is so fitting to have Louis Quatorze as one of the brands to spearhead this vision,” said Yeap.
Louis Quatorze values customer loyalty more than anything. The brand strives to provide maximum value with high quality products, the best in design and at affordable prices unlike other European luxury brands. With the opening of its first concept store, the brand hopes to bring more stylish designed products to Malaysians as another alternative to luxury products.
"Louis Quatorze is recognised not only for the exceptional quality and consistency of the products but also because of the experience that comes with using the products. We are esctatic and proud to finally introduce the brand to all Malaysians!" said Kim.
Among the celebrities who use the brand are Korean’s top celebrities such as Taeyeon, Tiffany and Seohyun of the Girls’ Generation and Victoria of the f(x)'s.
ADIAMOND-ENCRUSTED crocodile-skin Hermes handbag with white gold details has broken the record for the world's most expensive ever sold at auction, fetching nearly US$380,000 at a Hong Kong sale.
The rare Himalaya Niloticus Crocodile Diamond Birkin 30 went to an unknown phone bidder recently for HK$2.94 million after intense bidding, a spokeswoman for auction house Christie's told AFP.
The new record beat one set last year, also in Hong Kong, by an identical Hermes bag that sold for HK$2.32 million.
Only one or two Diamond Himalayas are created each year globally, making it one of the rarest production runs for handbags, according to Christie's.
"It actually has been rumoured that they will discontinue Himalayas altogether this year, which may be part of the reason that we've seen the increase in the value this season," Matthew Rubinger, Christie's international head of handbags and accessories division, told AFP.
Designer handbags are increasingly seen as investment opportuni- ties and have become a craze for collectors, taking global auction houses by storm and scoring record prices.
The handmade bag – described by the London-based auctioneers as "the most desirable handbag in existence" – is encrusted with diamonds, while the buckle and trademark mini Hermes padlock are from 18 carat white gold.
The bag was made in 2014 and is from Hermes' "Birkin" series named after actress and singer Jane Birkin, who was born in Britain and lives in France. – AFP Relaxnews