PHOTO COURTESY OF LOUIS VUITTON

A selected number of bags at Louis Vuitton have been termed ‘new classics’, and one of them includes the Capucines, alongside the Dauphine and Twist that are regarded as modern-day icons of the French luxury house. Timeless and sophisticated are but some of the words that best describe the trapezoid handbag, one that comes finished with a structured top handle and detailed with the signature LV initials logo on the front.

PHOTO COURTESY OF LOUIS VUITTON

A truly versatile design, it comes with its own sling that converts it from a hand-held handbag to a casual crossbody (or over the shoulder) in no time at all. And to celebrate almost a decade of this beloved new icon (it was created back in 2013), here are 5 key things to know about this constant go-to favourite. 

PHOTO COURTESY OF LOUIS VUITTON

01 – Named after the very first Louis Vuitton store which opened in 1854 at Rue de Capucines, the enigmatic bag is the very representation of the brand’s commitment to craftsmanship and creativity, exemplified by the use of supple leather, curved edges and rounded lines that will appeal to the modern-day woman.

02 – Zoom in a little closer and you will realise little hints of inspiration adapted from Louis Vuitton’s vast archives, from the engraved rivets (from heritage trunks) to the quatrefoil clover petal on the front flap which was inspired by the Maison’s iconic monogram flower. 

03 – Each Capucines requires 250 individual handcrafted operations from start to finish, from the selection of Taurillon calf leather (only the ones which are 2 to 2.4 mm thick are accepted) to ensure that it has a smooth and almost velvet-like texture, to the hand assembly requiring fine stitch work that’s barely visible to the eye, all of which are hand sewn by Louis Vuitton artisans before it’s finished with saddle-stitching to form the trapezoid structure that you’ve come to know and love. 

04 – Today, the bag is available in 3 sizes, starting with the mini which measures 21 cm wide and 14 cm high. The next size up would be the BB that’s slightly bigger at 27 cm by 18 cm, while the largest of them all is the MM which comes in at 31.5 cm by 20 cm. 

05 – There are plenty of finishes/styles to keep an eye out for, ranging from single-tone options in Eau de Rose and Snow White to vibrant tri-coloured options recently launched for Spring-Summer 2021. Several iterations also come with fabric and/or sequins detailing, with even more variations from the ArtyCapucines line-up done in collaboration with artists from all over the world. It is also one of the few designs available in exotic materials like crocodilian leather, so if you’re up for a truly exquisite (and timeless) piece, then the Capucines would be the one to definitely consider.

For more information, do visit LOUISVUITTON.com

PHOTOS COURTESY OF LOUIS VUITTON