SELF-MADE CLASSICS
Fancy crafting your own Noe or Lockit bag in special skins, crazy colours or just the most streamlined model? BAZAAR looks into the appeal of making your own Louis Vuitton.
WHAT IS IT?
It’s not everyday you get a chance to make your own Vuitton icon. For the first time in KL and available exclusively at the new Louis Vuitton Starhill Global Store, you can personally craft your very own Lockit, Noe, Triangle, Neo Steamer, and Milaris in myriad ways. Imagine sitting in the heart of Bukit Bintang, sipping your cup of tea and quietly contemplating the eight different types of leather (including shiny and matt alligator), over 27 colours and 40,000 possible combinations. It may take more than just a cup of cha to get to your final bag design. But no rush, as this bag of dreams will take at least half a year to construct before it lands in your arms.
WHERE?
Once you’ve finished playing creative director, the bag is then constructed at Asnières, Paris. This secret location holds some of this maison’s craftmaking secrets. It’s the place where history was built, when Empress Eugénie called upon the services of the founder, Louis Vuitton himself, to create over 1,001 ways to transport her personal effects when she travelled. Today, it is still the ancestral home of the Vuitton family. On the manicured grounds, there are museums and workshops that craft some of the special orders, hardsided luggage, and bags in exceptional leathers. “More than a place, Asnières is a symbol, an absolute link between the past, the present, and the future … the sum of all that enhances Louis Vuitton’s savoirfaire and spirit of elegant travel. A sense of tradition combined with absolute innovation, serving perfection and the representation of desire,” says Yves Carcelle, former chairman and CEO of Louis Vuitton.
And what desire we have for this special order. The haute maroquinerie bag traverses the globe – and the best part is that now we can design our very own. The service was launched on September 2, 2011 in Milan to coincide with the opening of the Vuitton shop on Via Montenapoleone. Since then, 15 Vuitton shops in the world have offered this service. And now, Malaysia will have the 16th store.
WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?
What is so special about this service is that there are only three handbag designs inspired by the icons of the House and two new shapes. You can customise the shape, the type of leather, colour of leather, inner leather lining, and even personalise the bag to create something that’s especially meaningful. The Haute Maroquinerie service is available at the new Louis Vuitton Starhill Global Store, Indulge Floor, Starhill Gallery. Tel: 1800 888 586. Prices start from RM29,100.