How does Louis Vuitton celebrate 160 years of the famous LV Monogram logo? By collaborating with six of the greatest art and design legends in fashion: Karl Lagerfeld, Frank Gehry, Cindy Sherman, Marc Newson, Christian Louboutin and Rei Kawakubo, each of whom have re-invented the brand’s iconic monogram.
To mark the 160th anniversary of the house’s founding, Louis Vuitton’s executive vice president Delphine Arnault and the artistic director Nicolas Ghesquière initiated a project, called ‘Celebrating Monogram,’ inviting six of the world’s design icons (that’s where the name ‘iconoclasts’ comes from) to interpret the LV monogram for a very limited and unique series of bags. The monogram has grown to be the signature statement of the fashion house, as both Delphine and Nicolas shared :
“The Monogram is the timeless icon of the Maison Louis Vuitton. It has lived through the brand’s countless evolutions, never losing its essence. The leading testament to the fashion house’s success, it was only natural that we should pay homage to it.”
The project echoes a similar initiative undertaken in 1996 for Louis Vuitton’s centenarian celebration which involved fashion designers Azzedine Alaïa, Manolo Blahnik, Romeo Gigli, Helmut Lang, Isaac Mizrahi, Sybilla and Vivienne Westwood, all of whom contributed with very special designs. This time around, Delphine Arnault and Ghesquière broadened the scope of the initiative to include collaborators from art, architecture, and industrial design, as well as fashion. “When we talked with Nicolas Ghesquière about the extraordinary talents we would like to approach we simply went to those who are among the best in their fields,” said Delphine Arnault. “They are extraordinary artists; I could even say they are the greatest designers in the world.”
Shoe Designer Christian Louboutin who is famous for introducing the red sole has designed a shopping bag and trolley. The iconic red color was incorporated in the shopping bag that costs around $5,150.00. The piece is detailed with a back panel made of calf hair, calf hair trimming, and a studded front pocket. The Shopping Trolley is a larger version of the Shopping Bag with wheels. It also includes a canvas clutch made of Damier canvas and red calf hair featuring a large LV logo.
Cindy Sherman, an image-maker and filmmaker since the 1970’s has created a camera messenger bag ($4400) and a vanity trunk which includes drawers, makeup mirror, and even a stool! Both the trunk and the messenger bag have travel stamps from exotic destinations all over the world. The Camera Messenger bag features a top handle and includes a removable shoulder strap. It has nine embroidered patches from the artist’ own design. The Studio in a Trunk is only available in 25 pieces and has 31 colorful drawers from small to large.
Award winning Canadian-American Architect, Frank Gehry, famous for his masterpieces as the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, designed a rectangular box with a twist. The Twisted Box features an unusual shape with rigid lines and blue lambskin interior ($4400). The interior has an embossed LV logo design hand drawn by Frank Gehry and also includes a detachable shoulder strap.
Chanel and Fendi’s Creative Director, Karl Lagerfeld has shared his talents with Louis Vuitton by designing a punching bag and a trunk. Karl has also photographed the lookbook for this collection. The Punching Bags comes in three sizes: Baby, PM and GM. It is designed for city wear and is complete with chains and leather handles. The Punching Suitcase is ideal as a travel bag and includes two punching gloves in Monogram Canvas. The Punching Trunk features four removable shelves so you can have a movable closet with you where you go! It includes the Punching Suitcase with gloves and boxing mat. There is also an option to add a metal stand and 12 Monogram flower iron weights. The Karl Lagerfeld items range from $3400 to $ 140000 for the biggest trunk.
Australian born Industrial Designer, Marc Newson has created a backpack with a twist-made of Monogram Canvas and shearling, this piece is statement on its own. With a roomy interior with tons of pockets, and the signature Marc Newson strap adjusters, this piece has casual cool written all over it. The backpacks are available in three colors: blue, beige and orange and sold for $5400.
Japanese fashion designer and founder of Comme des Garçons, Rei Kawakubo, who has also collaborated with Louis Vuitton back in 2008, returns for this one of a kind collection. Known for her unique designs, she has created a tote bag with three holes revealing the bag’s interior. This updated version of the Sac Plat features asymmetrical cutouts. It includes a Louis Vuitton textile insert pouch($2790).
The collection is available for a limited amount of time and the pieces are already flying off the shelves at the Louis Vuitton stores so get them while you can!