Sandra‘s Closet

Gentlemen, may I have your attention. This is a fashion must: The Damier got reinterpeted by Pharrell Williams for S/S 2024 and it is f…g hot!

DAMOFLAGE / Damier meets camo
Damoflage splices the heritage Damier pattern of Louis Vuitton with camouflage in a reflection of two diverse domains of style, in simultaneous tribute to Pharrell Williams’ long-time friends in Paris.

Employed in three hues across accessories, workwear, indigo denim, pyjama silhouettes, in the intarsia of knitwear and furs, and in the jacquard of tailoring, the pattern morphs the signifier of Louis Vuitton with a defining factor in the personal style lexicon of Pharrell Williams. The outdoor sensibility of camouflage is echoed in colourised landscape motifs featured in prints and jacquards across blanket coats, blousons, pyjamas and shirting, and in coats and bags laser-cut all-over in the Louis Vuitton flower pattern.

DAMIER / Colours starting with yellow
An expression of synaesthesia, primary colours invigorate Louis Vuitton’s classic Damier chessboard graphic.
A foundational element in Pharrell Williams’ early familiarisation with the Maison, the Damier is reimagined in a series of new adaptations. An 8-bit Atari Damier motif created by the American pixel artist ET Artist digitalises the pattern.

Coloured Damier expressions appear in tailoring, pyjamas and denim. The grain of the Damier leather is interpreted in stitch-like 3-D pigment print in outerwear and tailoring. A pied de poule take on the graphic nods at the heritage men’s wardrobe, while a hand-embroidered Damier pearl decoration adorns tailoring, sportswear and workwear.

The collection will be in store starting January 4th.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Louis Vuitton
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As the history of Louis Vuitton has been defined by innovation in travel, the Maison advances its Rolling Luggage series with the launch of Pégase, newly reimagined by Marc Newson. Among the most influential industrial designers of his generation, Newson has collaborated with Louis Vuitton on two previous designs since 2016: Horizon followed by the Horizon Soft duffle. With each chapter of Rolling Luggage, emblematic Louis Vuitton features combine with superior functionality.

Since the debut of his collaboration with Louis Vuitton, Newson reveals how savoir-faire, the hallmark of Louis Vuitton, benefits from a precise, forward-minded vision. «The objective for all three luggage collections was to have a consistent vocabulary between them and to share the same innovations,» says the designer.

Already, the Horizon and the Horizon Soft duffle stand out within the category. Beyond the recognisable Monogram or Damier canvas, the hard case and duffle shapes are both supported by an exterior trolley system and extra flat interior. For Pégase, Newson once again applied his expertise in materials and engineering, testing aluminium alloys used in aerospace to arrive at tubes of an unparalleled slimness. By reducing their interior protrusions, internal space is optimised throughout. Topped with an ergonomic handle, this latest trolley system excels in strength and manoeuvrability.

«This was one of the very first elements I wanted to address for the interior,» Newson explains. «You could say I approached this product from the inside out.» Meanwhile, in keeping with the spirit of Louis Vuitton himself, the option of packing cubes continues to offer a modular approach to the art of packing, compatible across the luggage collection.

In revisiting Pégase, Newson expands the Maison’s Rolling Luggage through rigorous and highly technical standards. The streamlined exterior is outlined with metallic zip hardware along the main compartment and an ample front compartment. The latter, newly sized for storing and protecting computers and tablets, is both an organisational and aesthetic feature that enhances overall convenience whether travelling for business or leisure. Two carrying handles are located on top and at the side for comfort of use, while two wheels offer an optimised interior volume. An integrated TSA combination lock and a removable TSA combination padlock keep belongings secured. The Pégase requires 28 operations to assemble its 89 distinct pieces and has been conceived so that components may be easily repaired and replaced accordingly.

True to the visual language of Louis Vuitton, the Pégase is offered in timeless Monogram, Monogram Eclipse, Damier Graphite and Taiga Leather. Underneath, the shell ensures that Pégase is at once lightweight and ultra-resistant. In this way, frequent travellers will appreciate that Newson has given equal consideration to exterior and interior.

As travel for any purpose becomes essential and exciting once again, Louis Vuitton Rolling Luggage collection delivers an elevated statement through design that is built to last.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Louis Vuitton
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On Wednesday morning, I went to Louis Vuitton‘s S/S 2013 show that was as energizing and different as it was brief because the models walked out in pairs like twins. The setting was once more very special: Four escalators formed the fundamental structure of the presentation inspired by Les Deux Plateaux, a famous installation piece in the Palais Royal by the artist Daniel Buren with columns arranged in a grid.

The collection was very graphic and structured which had I expected after having seen Marc Jacobs’ signature line where minimalistic stripes ruled the runway (for more information, please click here). For Louis Vuitton, the designer went for ’60s silhouettes, gigantic checks and floral embroideries stitched in mini-squares. Even the house’s iconic Speedy bag got cubed, too.

It was the first ever Louis Vuitton collection not to make use of the Monogram. Instead, the Damier pattern provided the house’s signature.

A fundamental duality underpinned the collection, Marc Jacobs used always two colors, shiny and matt textures. He had the image of two very different French icons of the ’60s, Françoise Hardy and Jane Birkin, in mind when creating the collection: Hardy always very covered up, Birkin always revealing plenty of flesh, but both always in long, simple clothes. To reinforce these oppositions, the collection was presented on models in pairs.

For a finale, the models streamed down the four escalators very futuristically like an army of Louis Vuitton cult followers to the music from the opera “Einstein on The Beach” by Philip Glass. The show was different, especially compared to the excesses of last season and also optimistic as the sunshine yellow enlightened the room.

Marc Jacobs almost jumped down the escalator while the audience applauded.

Front row: Delfina Delettrez-Fendi, Natalia Vodianova, Antoine Arnault and Poppy Delevingne

Rachel Zoe and husband Roger Berman

Enjoy your weekend!

LoL, Sandra

Photos used for the collages: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton, all other photos: © Sandra Bauknecht