Sandra‘s Closet

Now, more than ever, gifting is considered an art. To celebrate the holiday season, the Art of Gifting collection that debuted in early 2017 has expanded with new offerings. Sharing emotions, that is something that is deeply rooted in the Maison Louis Vuitton’s attention to excellence.

Louis Vuitton’s first store in 1854.

In 1854, Louis Vuitton founded his namesake House as an emballeur, or trunk packer. The most elegant ladies of the day flocked to his store right by the legendary Place Vendôme to entrust him with their jewels, hats and sumptuous dresses.

A remake of the original Louis Vuitton Pateki brainteaser

Renowned for its innovative trunks, the Art of Packing specialist soon began creating delightful talismans, such as the Pateki brainteaser invented by Gaston Louis Vuitton, the grandson of the House’s founder.

Starting in the 1920s, the pleasure of offering gifts became an art de vivre in its own right, and was illustrated in works such as «Gift-giving, the proper guide to choosing and offering a present for New Year’s, the holidays, birthdays and all circumstances in which one wishes to be kind to those one loves.»

In 2017, the Gifting collection presents a trio of themes that extends the art of generosity with gift ideas for intimate and grand occasions alike. Ideal for year-end festivities, these presents enhance the joys of the season and highlight the unique excellence of Louis Vuitton’s workshops.

Plexiglass box «Scott»

Decorative objects distill the iconic codes of Louis Vuitton to all areas of the home. Like a smaller-scale, nested iteration of Louis Vuitton’s trunks, the «Scott» keepsake box lives up to its heritage and spiritedly blends the modernity of Plexiglas with the sensuality of natural cowhide leather.

Valet trays «Georges»

In the living room, assorted photo frames naturally find a place next to «Georges», a valet tray named after the creator of the Monogram canvas. To combine chic and practicality, three formats come in either Epi leather or natural cowhide leather.

Christmas tree baubles

There are even Christmas ornaments for decorating the tree with Monogram flowers in leather, where canvas and silk embellish the traditional fir with a luxurious iconic touch.

Notebooks

Celebrated by Louis Vuitton, writing, an essential part of the Art of Travel, fires the imagination more than ever. Personnal notebooks, the stalwart companions of traveling writers and the repository for ideas big and small, take on the sheen of precious metals, in gold or silver. Two diary formats in Epi leather join a lineup of colourful or printed notebooks, pencil cases, bookmarks, desk blotters and pencil holders in Monogram Canvas and House leathers.

Teddy bear «Louis» and truck «Tiki»

Gaston Louis Vuitton, the grandson of the House’s founder, was renowned for creating his own parlour games and for his collection of beautiful wooden toys. To this day, a playful spirit influences House creations, such as the «Louis», a patchwork teddy bear, or the build-it-yourself «Titi» truck in Monogram canvas and leather. Travel-friendly objects bring an air of playfulness wherever they alight, from playing cards and signed sets of dice to glasses cases in Monogram canvas and cowhide leather brightened with a touch of bright red or navy blue.

Jumping ropes and ping-pong set

Sports accessories likewise get into the spirit of the season: with a skipping rope in Monogram Eclipse canvas and a matching ping-pong set, the art of movement takes a cue from the Art of Travel.

Objects from the «Gifting» collection will be available starting in November 2017 in Louis Vuitton stores worldwide.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton

As you know I am traveling constantly and mostly go on short trips. I light to travel light and take in general only hand luggage with me. That means you have to be smart when it comes to packing (You can find a great guide how to stuff your suitcase that I shot with Louis Vuitton here).

The biggest problem is that you are not allowed to take large amount of liquids. There fore I love NET-A-PORTER‘s TRAVEL KIT that includes 12 products from their skincare, haircare, nail and makeup department. Including everything from a rejuvenating face mask to glamorous lipstick, this elegant selection is conveniently travel-sized and also luxurious way to discover new products.

Includes: Jurlique‘s Rosewater Balancing Mist, Mio‘s Clean Slate Wipes, Leonor Greyl‘s Nourishing Shampoo, Deborah Lippmann‘s Cuticle Oil, Lipstick Queen‘s Invisible Lip Liner, Hourglass‘ Icon Liquid Lipstick, Erno Laszlo‘s White Marble Radiance Emulsion, Erno Laszlo‘s Treatment Bar, Chantecaille‘s Bio Lifting Cream, LashFood‘s Conditioning Drama Mascara, Roloxin™ Lift‘s Revitalizing Facial Treatment and Christophe Robin‘s Hair Regenerating Mask.

To shop the TRAVEL KIT, click HERE please.
Kisses from NYC!

LoL, Sandra

Still: Courtesy of Net-à-Porter
Photo: © Jamie McGregor Smith for Louis Vuitton

Last week, I spent some amazing days with Louis Vuitton in Munich for the opening of the gigantic new Maison that I will show you during the next days. Many celebrities from all over the world had flown in to attend the fun event. But there was a project I was even more excited about… Louis Vuitton asked me to be in a photo shoot for the ART OF PACKING.

In my beautiful hotel room at the Charles Hotel, Ward, the in-house packing expert, explained me enthusiastically how packing efficiently could well be considered an art and gave me some tips which were funnily enough very similiar to my ‘method’. As I am very particular about my clothes and accessories, I have realized that I already master the art of packing pretty well given also the amount of travel I’ve been going through since I have started my blog.

So enjoy this step-by-step guide to filling a suitcase or travel bag. In my case, it is the Pégase 45 by Louis Vuitton, the best companion for a 24-hours trip that has the perfect size to take it on board of an aircraft.

In order to maximize space in your luggage and to minimize creasing of your clothes, preparation is the key. It is very important to keep the global picture and that starts already with the right type of suitcase or travel bag for your occasion.

1. Lay out all the items you would like to pack. Like this, you  will see what works well together and won’t take too much. Here you see all my looks. Isn’t it hard to believe that all of those will fit in my little Pégase?!

2. Optimize weight. Instead of taking heavy shoe trees, stuff your heels with wrapping tissue.

3. To protect your pieces, use separate felt bags for your shoes and accessories.

4. Don’t forget to do the same with your jewelry in order to protect it from scratching.

5. A smart way of packing is to use the empty space inside your bags or shoes for example and fill it with your small items. You could also roll up your belts to fit them in.

6. To avoid creasing, it is indispensable to understand the nature of the fabrics of your clothes. For example, roll the uncomplicated materials such as denim or cashmere scarfs into tight, compact spirals to maximize suitcase space.

7. Fold the clothes carefully and use wrapping paper for items that are delicate such as this embroidered top.

8. Once you have all your items rolled or wrapped, you can get started to put them in your luggage. It is very important to put all the heavy ones in first.

9. Another great way to minimize creasing of your delicate pieces is to stuff them with other clothes as I did here.

10. The Pégase has two flaps to secure your clothes from moving up and down which is great. Can you imagine that everything that was laying on the bed fit in?!

And there was still space to put the leopard print trenchcoat with its collar raised on top as the sun was shining.

Without having to push or squeeze it, I closed my Pégase 45.

And I have to admit that after having finished packing, I am usually pretty happy. Now, off to the airport! The next adventure is waiting…

My look: Cashmere top with Stephen Sprouse leopard print, dark blue leather pants, Noé BB bag in citron, bi-colour pumps, necklace and ring, all by Louis Vuitton.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Jamie McGregor Smith for Louis Vuitton