Christian Borstlap: Louis Vuitton I

An animated film exploring and celebrating the founder of the world's most recognisable luxury label.

"Louis Vuitton’s beginnings in 19th century Paris are vibrantly animated in Christian Borstlap’s new short. Commissioned by NOWNESS for the Louis Vuitton Marc Jacobs exhibition that opens at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris on Friday, the film explores the brand’s legacy of innovation through Borstlap’s charming hand-drawn aesthetic. “We were challenged to showcase the heritage of Louis Vuitton as a piece of moving image but we didn’t want a history lesson,” explains Faye Mcleod, Louis Vuitton’s visual creative director. Divided over two floors, the show analyzes the groundbreaking creativity of two men working a century apart, each of whom propelled fashion forward during eras of great change. While the second floor offers a Technicolor tour of Marc Jacobs’s vision since he joined the house in 1997, the first floor examines the story of the brand synonymous with travel and the iconic trunks during Louis Vuitton’s lifetime, as well as his surprising start as a packer of ready to wear. “It was a skill knowing how to pack these enormous dresses and all the different items in ladies’ wardrobes. Some women traveled with 25 trunks,” says Mcleod. The museum’s Curator-in-Chief Pamela Golbin spoke to NOWNESS about the genesis of this unique fashion moment."

Louis Vuitton window bag display.

Very cool.

Louis Vuitton: Art, Fashion and Architecture

On September 1st, a book detailing the Louis Vuitton brand's fascination for fashion, art and architecture and all their artistic collaborations will be released. 

Louis Vuitton hired artist Camille Scherrer to present the new “Louis Vuitton : Art. Fashion and Architecture” book in this stunning video.

Real? Or fake?

 “The Louis Vuitton Monogram VIP Chopsticks Set is one of the most elegant VIP items ever made. There are 4 chopsticks (2 pairs) in all and two chopstick rests, each finely carved and made of fine rosewood, with the LV Monograms delicately engraved atop. Each chopstick is carefully sanded and hand polished and comes in its Monogram Plexi-glass, hinged presentation box.”

Price: $450 at an online auction. The question is… are they real?

Brave Blair.

Not to turn this into a celebrity gossip magazine with "circles of shame", but what the hell is Leighton Meester wearing at the 'Model as Muse' Costume Institute Gala (see previous post)?? The Gossip Girl is usually immaculately dressed.

Louis Vuitton clad is all very well and good but there is such a thing as overkill. The contrasting prints, statement shoes and big shoulders are all very big trends for this season on their own but together and partnered with bold make-up & hair... boy oh boy. 

Tribal

A tribal/safari theme was seen all over the Ready-to-wear SS '09 collections and this has evidently been filtering through to the High Street stores. Here are some of the designer labels which are pushing the look.

Louis Vuitton:

DKNY:

(I began to select a few images from all the designers but it turned out there were just too many so here are a few more shots. Top l-r: Anna Sui, Christian Dior, Christopher Kane, bottom l-r: Ralph Lauren, Gucci, Alexander McQueen.)

High Street retailers need to know their customer well in order to successfully interpret catwalk trends. (It might look good to Marc Jacobs but the truth is the typical UK lady will not wear a short grass skirt.) 

Marc Jacobs tribute to Stephen Sprouse

Remember the Louis Vuitton graffiti print bags? Remember their leopard print scarfs that could be seen on everyone after their Fall Winter 06 07 collection? Well it was all a result of the collaboration between Creative Director Marc Jacobs and 80s graffiti artist/fashion designer Stephen Sprouse back in 2001.

Sprouse died in 2004 but a few years later Jacobs decided to use a leopard print they had designed together that was never issued. And Jacobs has yet again paid tribute to Sprouse by creating a new collection inspired by their original collaboration. Last week he held a massive tribute event in NYC over 3 different LV locations. Reissued Sprouse LV bags were on display, Debbie Harry did a unique performance and the interiors were completely kitted out in neon lights and graffiti prints.

The highlight of the images for me has to be the exterior of the Wooster Street, Soho store which was covered in a polythene film and then spray painted over. Who else would have the guts to deface a luxury brand but Marc Jacobs?

From the collection itself there are not many things I would buy as I'm not a huge fan of anything too...garish. But I do love the sepia rose print and I can tell the collection is going to be a huge hit so start saving your pennies and get in there fast.