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Louis Vuitton Epi Malesherbes

Bagaholicboy — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 04:54:26 +0000

Trawling eBay and vintage, pre-loved bag sites has been a hobby I’ve always enjoyed, checking out bags that were made a good 20, 30 years ago. And while there’s nothing wrong with buying current season runway darlings, there’s also nothing wrong in buying vintage as far as I’m concerned. Besides doing your part to recycle, which is always good for environment, they are often times not as expensive and you’ll most definitely not see the same bag on another lady’s lap while on the train.

Bags I’m always on a lookout for include those made of Epi leather from the 80s, which Louis Vuitton made virtually indestructible. Many of the designs are also discontinued, including the Louis Vuitton Epi Malesherbes which was also unofficially known as the brand’s version of the Kelly. Made in a wide variety of Epi hues, it did originally come with a long handle till it was shortened towards the end of its production.

Measuring 26 cm by 22 cm, it is a rather ample handbag as far as weekend jaunts and sit-down dinners are concerned, with an additional zip pocket on the inside. Classy and chic, the bag is almost entirely covered with Epi leather, with the most minimal of gold-tone hardware in the form of the clasp and handle joints.

You’ll still find this underrated beauty online, where they go for around USD350 each in pristine condition. Which really isn’t so bad for a bag that’s still relevant in this day and age when everybody seems to be doing clean, understated and chic.

And if anyone out there is keen on getting one but isn’t too sure about its authenticity, do drop me an email and I’ll be happy to help.

Image: Louis Vuitton

YOU SHOULD SEE: Louis Vuitton Epi Saint Cloud

Bagaholicboy Likes #28 – For The Love Of Hearts

Bagaholicboy — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 10:59:08 +0000

If Valentine’s Day for you (or your loved one) is literally all about the hearts, then here is a selection from the inexpensive to the extravagant, the functional to the decorative, guaranteed to please you or your heart-loving beau. From a simple heart-shaped pendant to a studded keyfob from Miu Miu, you’ll find all manner of hearts in this little spread.

Due to space constraints I wasn’t able to put up all the colour options available, but you’ll be pleased to know that the Prada iPhone case comes in 2 other colours, while the Artist Heart comes in a more affordable sterling silver version that retails for SGD270. Happy shopping!

From top left: Prada Valentine’s iPhone Case, SGD230, Tiffany & Co. Quatra Heart Key Pendant, USD4000, Georg Jensen Artist Heart in 18k gold, SGD1350, Louis Vuitton Monogram Vernis Rayures Heart Coin Purse, SGD650, Goldheart Lovelle Earrings, SGD338, Lulu Guinness My Favourite Things Top Zip, GBP75, YSL Ycons Gold-Plated Cuff, GBP145, Diane von Furstenberg Heart Coin Pouch Keychain, USD65, Miu Miu Valentine’s Key Holder, EUR165, Aurélie Bidermann Do Brazil Bracelet, GBP580

Images: Georg Jensen, Goldheart, Louis Vuitton, Lulu Guinness, Miu Miu, Net-A-Porter, Prada, Shopbop & Tiffany & Co.

YOU SHOULD SEE: Goldheart Celestial Embracia Collection
YOU SHOULD SEE: Valentine’s 2012 Womens Louis Vuitton
YOU SHOULD SEE: Valentine’s 2012 Womens Chanel

Bagaholicboy News #220 – Louis Vuitton Launches New Epi Colours!

Bagaholicboy — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 12:08:36 +0000

If you walked past any Louis Vuitton boutique recently, you would have noticed Epi bags and SLGs in a wide array of new colours displayed prominently in window displays. Recently launched, the current selection includes some new and some classic hues for a total of 13 different colours, and they are (from top down), Fuchsia, Cacao, Gray Blue, Citron, Menthe, Orange, Black, Ivory, Carmine, Bleu Canard, Figue, Marine and Rubis.

The Epi Electric family has also grown, and now includes Noir Electric, Prune Electric and Amande Electric.

First launched in 1985, Epi was originally created and developed to due to the need for having a leather that was durable, yet beautiful to be made into bags for modern day use. Dyed all the way through with a special grained texture that resists light scratches and knicks, the leather is made such that it retains its beautiful colour over time.

Not convinced? Just do a quick search on eBay and you’ll find many beautiful, still pristine pieces, especially from Japanese resellers as the Epi line was huge in Japan back in the late 80s and early 90s.

And if you’re looking to get yourself something in the new Epi colours, you can check out bags like the Alma (which now comes in 13 colours), or something more affordable like the Zippy Wallet (SGD1060) or the Card Holder (SGD280, shown above).

Which is your favourite new colour?

Images: Bagaholicboy & Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton Transparent Lockit

Bagaholicboy — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 03:45:22 +0000

I’m pretty sure this S/S12 stunner from Louis Vuitton will come with a much fancier name, but for now, it shall simply be referred to as the Transparent Lockit. One of the runway pieces which I hear has a waiting list from here to the Kingdom of Caring already (that’s where the Care Bears live, by the way), this cloud-like beauty features a transparent voile exterior detailed with the house monograms, trimmed with leather all round the base as well as the handles.

Also available in a clutch, as well as a much larger Lockit East-West size, I’m personally keen to find out how much this baby will cost once it hits the shelves sometime in late February early March.

UPDATE: Tentative prices are in, and they are SGD2440, SGD4500 and SGD4700 for the clutch, Lockit and Lockit East-West respectively.

Image: Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton Damier Ebene Compact Wallet Origami

Bagaholicboy — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 10:37:59 +0000

Every few months or so, I’ll find myself wandering into Louis Vuitton if only just to check out the new arrivals, from bags and SLGs to RTW and shoes. And while I was in Bangkok last week, I came across the Louis Vuitton Damier Ebene Compact Wallet Origami at their boutique in Gaysorn. Having glanced at it once or twice before, I asked the SA to bring it out of the display case so that I could have a closer look.

Remarkably simple in its design, it unbuttons to reveal an interior which allows you to fit up to 8 cards, along with a gusseted pocket on the front that’s good for coins. And that’s it really, which made it that more alluring for someone like me who was looking for something small and fuss-free.

Available in two sizes, the compact one (shown above) retails for SGD610, while the longer one (with 12 credit card slots and 5 bill compartments) sells for SGD915.

The only catch? It only comes in Damier Ebene or Monogram Canvas at the moment, which didn’t really appeal to me as much. If only it was also available in Epi, Nomade or Taiga, I would have gladly paid more and got one right there and then. Which is also how I ended up coming back to Singapore with a Silk’in from Hermès instead, but that’s a story I’m saving for another post.

Images: Louis Vuitton

Valentine’s 2012 Womens Louis Vuitton

Bagaholicboy — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 04:10:02 +0000

You’ve already seen the Monogram Vernis Rayures Alma BB in Pomme D’Amour, so for today’s post here’s the one in the Amarante, both of which will retail for SGD1930 when they are released in Singapore from January 2012 onwards. From the Valentine’s 2012 Womens Louis Vuitton collection, the only other bag in this lineup will be the Monogram Vernis Rayures Wilshire PM, which will feature the same vertical strips and will be available in both colourways, priced at SGD1400 a pop.

Besides the bags, you’ll also find a selection of small leather goods, including the Monogram Vernis Rayures Cosmetic Pouch which will retail at SGD670. Other pieces include a small card sized pouch that comes with its own polished mirror, a little box made specially for small pieces of jewellery, as well as the Monogram Vernis Rayures Heart Coin Purse (practically a staple now in every Valentine’s collection from Louis Vuitton) and some bag charms in both colours.

Those looking specifically for purses and wallets will find a decent selection as well in Monogram Vernis Rayures, including the Sarah Wallet and the Zippy Wallet, both classics in their own right. There will also be the Monogram Vernis Rayures Zippy Coin Purse (SGD660, shown above), which while small, can certainly pack in a lot.

And before I sign off, here’s a quick comment I would like to add to those who have compared it to a Victoria Secret’s paper bag. While they may sport the same vertical stripes in almost the same colours, they are just not the same. It’s like comparing a BMW to say, a tuk-tuk. Just saying.

Images: Louis Vuitton

YOU SHOULD SEE: Louis Vuitton Monogram Vernis Rayures Alma BB

Spring-Summer 2012 Womens Louis Vuitton Ad Campaign

Bagaholicboy — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 06:35:40 +0000

If Louis Vuitton’s F/W11 ads were all about the naughty, then their upcoming S/S12 ad campaign is definitely all nice. As in sugar, spice and everything nice. Set in a beautifully pink ice-cream parlour complete with sundaes and milk shakes, it’s the perfect foil to the collection made up of romantic dresses and ladylike shifts, detailed with white lace collars, strass, 3D flowers and studs.

Shot by Steven Meisel with up-and-coming models Daria Strokous and Kati Nescher, might I just add that the bags in the runway collection are adorably irresistible as well? From beautifully embroidered translucent variations of the Lockit that are more style than substance (not that anyone would mind, really), to patent leather market bags and drool-worthy handbags in delectable exotics, this is one collection that I’ll be blogging more about in the coming months.

Images: Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton Monogram Vernis Rayures Alma BB

Bagaholicboy — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 14:55:36 +0000

As promised to my fans over on Facebook, here’s your exclusive first look at one of the new bags that will be released in time for Valentine’s Day in 2012 from Louis Vuitton. Not a new design, but a completely new finish altogether.

You all know (and love) the finish of Monogram Vernis, and quite a lot of you fancied the stripes from the Rayures pieces that are now available in stores. Put them together and you’ve got the new Louis Vuitton Monogram Vernis Rayures collection, which besides being a mouthful to pronounce, has also resulted in pieces that run riot with colours and patterns.

Take the Monogram Vernis Rayures Alma BB for example, which is one of the pieces slated for release come February 2012. One of the smallest bags you can buy from Louis Vuitton, it looks positively lickalicous, due in part to the fact that it does look like sugar candy bon-bons.

No word yet on the price, or the exact release date, so do stay tuned for more updates.

And most everything comes in this colour combination as well, great for those who prefer something that’s a tad more mature.

Images: Louis Vuitton

Update – Louis Vuitton Monogram Rayure Neverfull GM

Bagaholicboy — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 14:33:02 +0000

Here’s a quick update that I’ll try to keep under 140 characters. Ok, who I am kidding here? That would surely be an impossible task, given how juicy this update will be. Having seen them for myself today at DFS Galleria Scottswalk, I can officially say that the Louis Vuitton Monogram Rayure collection has been released in Singapore.

Prices start from SGD1630 for the MM, SGD1730 for the GM and SGD2280 for the TGM (also known as the XL), which is also a new, much larger size for the Neverfull range of bags. Striped out the outside (as well as the inside), it’s most definitely nautical inspired, a great bag to use on your private yacht (or at the beach if you’re a mere mortal like me).

The only downside? Because of the addition on the cream stripes you’ll just have to take extra care to make sure you don’t end up scuffing it. Besides the Neverfull totes, the Noé (in two sizes, SGD1870 and SGD2340 respectively) as well as the Monogram Rayure Insolite Wallet (SGD1030) are also available. Now head down soon before the first shipment is all sold out. Which it shall be. For sure.

Image: Louis Vuitton

YOU SHOULD SEE: Louis Vuitton Monogram Rayure Neverfull GM

Louis Vuitton Holiday 2011 Collection

Bagaholicboy — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 03:09:30 +0000

For those of you who are on Louis Vuitton’s mailing list, you would have received their Holiday 2011 catalogue by now, a circus-themed affair that showcases the very best they have to offer. A brand that offers most everything under one roof (have you seen the amount of stuff they’ve got stocked over at the Island Maison?), it’s not hard to find something appropriate as a gift, from travel guides that start from SGD44 to tens of thousands for fine jewellery.

But before I digress any further, here some of the pieces that I like. They include the Alma in exotic ostrich, a SGD9450 bag that’s not for the faint-hearted.

Something new for the ladies from the Epi Electric collection is the Sévigné, a single handle leather bag (SGD3500) that also comes in smaller sizes for those looking for something more casual.

As far as I’m concerned, the only big-ticket item I would like from Louis Vuitton this X’mas is the Alzer, which costs SGD9150. Stunning, isn’t it?

If you’re looking for something to adorn your wrists, check out the bracelets which range from SGD480 to SGD600 (shown above), in materials as diverse as wood, resin and metal. These will make good X’mas gifts too.

Don’t mind the monkey. He’s only here because I think it’s kinda cute. The sunnies, in case anyone’s interested, retails for SGD935. What are you planning to get for yourself (or your loved one) from Louis Vuitton this Christmas?

Images: Louis Vuitton