Celebrity Life

It almost felt like a match made in heaven when Francesca Amfitheatrof joined Louis Vuitton three years ago to helm its jewellery and watch department. Amfitheatrof exudes strength, confidence and energy in the way she carries herself, and it translates into her work.

She had a four-year stint at Tiffany & Co as the brand’s first female design director, where she brought a new sense of modernity to the brand through the introduction of the Tiffany T and the Tiffany HardWear collections. At Louis Vuitton, her influence endures. Her first fine-jewellery collection, B Blossom, sees the designer reinterpreting the house’s famous Monogram flower in new proportions and in an exciting array of colours.

Amfitheatrof designs jewellery unmistakeably for the modern woman, who recognises and is unapologetic about the strength of her own femininity. B Blossom, which was her debut collection for Louis Vuitton, was really a signal for what was to come, as Amfitheatrof took into her own hands the job of revitalising the brand’s jewellery offerings. Taking the blossom motif designed by Georges-Louis Vuitton in 1896, she turned it into beads, with the logo stamped in gold and diamonds over smooth and sculptural spheres of white agate, pink opal, onyx and malachite.

Logomania as we know it peaked in the ’80s and ’90s era of success and excess, and since then it’s yo-yoed in and out of fashion. The B Blossom collection feels very much in trend, though – youthful and energetic, the jewellery is instantly recognisable, but not over the top.

This is very much to Amfitheatrof’s credit, as she’s managed to combine the opulence, power and audacity of the logo with a more refined and delicate take on the jewellery. The new line includes rings, bracelets, bangles, earrings, pendants and chain necklaces that are light and perfect for stacking. There are also chunkier and more statement-making pieces, including an appealing signet-ring design. The medley of coloured stones is pleasing to the eye – they look good however you want to mix and match them.

It’s also interesting to note that the new fine-jewellery collection is designed to be inclusive – not just for the inclusion of the signet ring, which tend to be seen as men’s jewellery, but also for the fact that the campaign embraces a diverse cast, including Indya Moore, a transgender model and actress who’s making waves in the industry. 

Released in 2019, the B Blossom Collection was a promising start. Following her debut act, Amfitheatrof has continuously delighted us with the bold and contemporary LV Volt collection with its graphic and unisex designs, then the Riders of the Knights high-jewellery collection that recalled medieval heroines and gave us Joan of Arc vibes, in armour-inspired designs, amulets and bejewelled chain mail.

Discover Louis Vuitton's B Blossom Collection here.

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As the saying goes, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Louis Vuitton's monogram, created by Georges Vuitton in 1896, is undeniably one of the most recognised patterns in existence. Since its creation, very few designers and artists have been allowed to reinterpret the iconic pattern.

Urs Fischer, one of the most significant contemporary artists today, is one of them. Fischer pushes his viewers to reflect upon common objects and established systems around us via scale distortions and illusions. His work often explores themes of perception and representation while being quite playful and witty.

The Louis Vuitton collaboration

We all love a good collab and Urs Fischer's one with Louis Vuitton is no exception. Here, Fischer has hand-drawn his version of the monogram, calling them "memory sketches". The flowers, quatrefoils, and LV initials logo, under Fischer's hand, appear airy and almost dream-like, as though the motifs are floating right before our eyes. The monogram pattern isn't a uniform one across all the products. Instead, each dream-like motif is thoughtfully adapted to the specific product it's designed for, changing in size, perspective, colour and application technique.

True to Fischer's playful streak, the monogram is also given an additional textural dimension. Through a tuffetage treatment using a velvet-like material, the bags are given a touch of fun tactile relief.

The new monogram is available in two colourways, black and red, and in black and white. The new monogram is used across several product categories, from ready-to-wear, accessories and shoes, and seven special-edition bags. Bag lovers can take their pick, including a Keepall, Cabers, Onthego, two Neverfulls, Speedys, Pochettes Accessoires and even a hard-sided beauty case.

As part of the Louis Vuitton collaboration, Fischer also created a series of whimsical characters depicted as a playful print on a vibrant silk square.

The Louis Vuitton x Urs Fischer collection is now available in-store and online.

The post Urs Fischer Gives the Louis Vuitton Monogram an Unexpected Twist appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

French luxury brand Louis Vuitton has given a sophisticated, trendy makeover to one of its most iconic classics: the Bisten suitcase. Gone are the subdued heritage browns and in their stead, a new collection of Bisten Monogram Titane featuring an external shell made of solid titanium. That gives the luggage not only a cool metallic look, but also a certain amount of indestructibility. Of course, LV’s world-famous monogram is engraved across the surface, in keeping with their instantly recognisable signature.

[caption id="attachment_153175" align="alignnone" width="1586"] Image courtesy of Louis Vuitton[/caption]

The Bisten’s traditional brass components have also been replaced and upscaled by hardware made from ruthenium, a rare platinum metal, which enhances the sleekness of the luggage. The final defining details take the form of a cowhide leather handle, name tag and decorative trimmings -- all of which provide a bit of elegant softness to the hard, clean-cut lines of the range.

The elegant colour scheme continues insidethe suitcase, with a grey microfibre providing the inner lining, along with easy-to-use cotton straps that help you keep your belongings in place. Two side clasps and a central front lock with key -- in a refined dark grey colour -- take care of all your security concerns.    

The only aspects that remain the same as the original are the dimensions and the overall basic design. The Bisten Monogram Titane collection offers three models of varying sizes: 50, 55 and 60 inches.

[caption id="attachment_153176" align="alignnone" width="1586"] Image courtesy of Louis Vuitton[/caption]

According to the brand’s website: “The Bisten suitcase is an integral part of the Louis Vuitton prestigious heritage. It continues to impress connoisseurs from all around the world.” And with prices that range from approx. HK$320,745–$363,772, this exclusive series is for very serious travellers and collectors indeed.

For more information about the Louis Vuitton Bisten Monogram Titane collection, visit hk.louisvuitton.com.

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