I just got off a really cool call- and it made me think of some new pictures I’d seen in FCH Magazine of the decorating that Tommy Hilfiger’s done with vintage Louis Vuitton trunks.  I blogged a while back about his fabulous library- and the amazing juxtaposition of his vintage French trunk by his American as apple pie Warhol “Uncle Sam” painting.  Just love it!!!

But I can’t get enough of the living room shot above!  I mean- I love the African thing going on (poor little Zebra) together with the original American, “Geronimo” (again by Warhol) and the totally French Iconic Louis Vuitton monogram trunk.  AMAZING!!!

And… if you read my blog- you know I LOVE a little customization in the paint department on these things.    So, I’m digging the trunk below.  The red and black paint really pops and just gives it that even more unique touch.

If you’re interested in a similar look… be sure to email Jesse our trunk guy about what we’ve got available and what your needs are!  He works with local Interior Designers, collectors and other folks just looking for cool vintage Louis Vuitton and Goyard trunks!

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Yep… you read that right.  Price decrease!  And a full 7% price cut at that!!!

As of today- November 29… if you’re living in or traveling in Japan, you can pick up most Louis Vuitton things- bags, watches, shoes and RTW at any of the 56 Japanese stores at the new decreased prices.

Louis Vuitton has historically adjusted prices in response to the fluctuation of the markets.  We have seen that in the US… when the value of the dollar against the pound, euro and yen has been weak- we see the resulting price increase.

The yen is currently particularly strong against the euro- and LVMH says that this price reduction reflects that discrepancy.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Yep, the Candyscape was listed at $19.5 million- and is now on sale for a bargain $16.25 million.  If that’s too rich for your blood, it charters for $225,000 or $190,000 (gulp) a week during the low season!

The bathroom of this vessel is lined with what is listed as the “leather” from antique Louis Vuitton trunks.  It appears to me that the canvas may be from old trunks.  The leather and hardware doesn’t look original.  Either way, this “huge discount” is supposed to be a sign of the effect of the credit crunch on the valuation of luxury yachts.

I think we’re in the wrong business!

(Picture credit:  Candyscape.com)

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Check out the mosaic flooring outside and out in the “Louis Vuitton Master Suite” of this “Villa La Grande Maison des Etoiles” that just sold for a record breaking $39 Million!

It’s a 7 bedroom villa with not only serious ocean views, and several pools, but it has bedrooms designed in tribute to Louis Vuitton and Hermes.

Louis Vuitton has a policy against doing work like this… they don’t do interior design or furniture.  As Patrick-Louis Vuitton, explained, “We are in the business of movement.”  But, somehow, I don’t think LVMH will mind.  They seem picky about who they let make unauthorized use of their logos, and who they don’t.  (Think Kanye West and Ruben Studdard’s monogram CD cases.  Both unauthorized (KW’s was years before he began working closely with LV) but only Studdard got sued.)

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Totally interesting article on the “slowing” luxury market in Japan:  Losing its Shine, from the Economist.  Notable quotes?

“Having been stagnant for half a decade, sales have fallen dramatically this year for many brands. Hermès, Gucci, Tiffany, Chanel and Cartier have all felt the pinch.  LVMH’s sales in Japan slid by 6% in the first six months. This year may be the first since the company’s arrival in Japan in 1978 in which its sales in the country go down.”

“The Japanese market for imported luxury products—clothes, shoes, handbags and accessories—was worth ¥1.2 trillion ($10.2 billion) in 2007, a drop of 39% since 1996. As sales have fallen, the big labels’ market shares have increased: Louis Vuitton’s sales have almost tripled over the period, to ¥165 billion.”

“Japan overflows with “parasite singles”—adults living with their parents—who are flush with money that would otherwise go on rent. As fewer women marry and have children, they have more cash to spend. All of this fuelled Japan’s strong demand for luxury goods. But as the population ages, there are fewer young, wealthy and fashion-mad customers.”

“To support their sales, Louis Vuitton and Gucci have launched less expensive collections made with cheaper materials. Big brands are also opening stores in smaller cities, where the lure of the logo still works. The big question is whether Japan is an isolated example, or signals a broader shift in demand. Perhaps it is a bit of both.”

This is just a really interesting read considering how influential Japan is

Read the whole article.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Picture Credits: “My Fashion Life”

That’s LV for Las Vegas, baby!  I’m no gambler- but I have to say, this Fashion Week party at the Soho Louis Vuitton boutique, or should I call it, “Casino Louis Vuitton”- looked like a blast!

I just read Sharon Feiereisen’s blog, “My Fashion Life” about the party.  Check it out.  I love her pics, especially the one of the Louis Vuitton bucks!

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

So apparently, Marc Jacobs had “no creative input” into the LV X CDG “collaboration” (unlike his experience with Murakami/ Richard Prince, etc)… which he was totally fine with.

But what I found most interesting from the WWD article on the subject, was what MJ had to say about future collaborations.  It seems that he’s done with the whole collaboration after collaboration concept-(even if the suits on the fifth floor are gunning for it.  Loved his quote on slowing down:

“I’ve kind of warned everybody up there that I think they’ve gotten a little too into this idea which, I mean, is great, I’m glad that everybody gets behind it, but what they don’t realize is that I do it at a pace that maintains the brand’s integrity and seems really right, and I think that sometimes everybody loves a good idea so much that they kind of go too far and it kind of kills it.”

My mother always told me, “a good artist knows when to quit.”  Or in this case, maybe slow down?

I totally agree.  Collaborations are supposed to be fun, and suprising and new.  But too many too soon, just gets boring, monotonous and rushed.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

First off… love the custom display trunk that Goyard cooked up for Pharell Willliams’ Billionaire Boy’s Club display at the new and improved Colette in Paris.  Goyard is an amazing malletier- Iconic and full of history… and the display looks incredible.

My only thought was… I wonder what the good folks over at Louis Vuitton “think”.  I mean, they’ve given Pharell the chance to collaborate on the Louis Vuitton Blason jewelry line- and he’s front and center at all the shows, etc.  Wonder if they “care” that Pharell had Goyard do the display?

I mean, there are only two real players in the custom luxury trunk business, Louis Vuitton and Goyard.  Just wondering if they’d take it as a slight?

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

… and subscribed to the amazing Japanese publication, Numero TOKYO!

Subscribers to its October issue will receive a fab Takashi Murakami x Louis Vuitton Monogramouflage Mouse Pad!   They’re getting other exclusive gifts monthly till December.

AMAZING!  I haven’t gotten anything better than a t-shirt or tote bag for a subscription for years!

Read more here- atanaka

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Kanye just posted this little piece of art by Meryl Smith- a doggie bag, appropriated with the LV monogram… and I’ve gotta say it.  Regardless of the major yuck factor for this piece in particular, I’m so over the whole concept.

I mean, I get it.  Artists who want to make a statement “borrow” the LV marks because they are powerful and get noticed.  But it’s just lazy.  It’s been done to death.  (Think Nadia Plesner’s Darfur shirt, Wim Delvoye’s LV tatoo’d pigs, Peter Gronquist’s monogram Electric Chair (and chainsaw, glocks, artillary shells & Gazelle? of all things- etc. etc).

And I don’t know about you… but I think Louis Vuitton/ Marc Jacobs gets this.  So much so that maybe that’s part of the reason they brought Richard Prince on board.  You know, Richard Prince… “the Man who invented Appropriation”.

What do you think?

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!