Lookbook: Louis Vuitton Celebrating Monogram Collection

Louis Vuitton commissioned six artists to assist in celebrating the iconic Louis Vuitton monogram for a limited edition collection.

Rei Kawakubo, Christian Louboutin, Cindy Sherman, Marc Newson, Frank Gehry, and Karl Lagerfeld, were each given carte blanche to create a bag and/or a piece of luggage, using the iconic monogram while keeping with the brand’s spirit of innovation, collaboration and daring.

To see the Louis Vuitton Icon and the Iconoclasts Celebrating Monogram Collection, click "READ MORE" below.

The Bag with Holes by Rei Kawakubo

Upon seeing Japan’s first Louis Vuitton store in 1978, Rei Kawakubo discovered the allure of French craftsmanship and art de vivre. Today, the creator of Comme des Garçons applies her radical, refined aesthetic to a House icon, revisiting the Sac Plat with boldly conceived asymmetrical cutouts and raw-edged details to produce this provocative "Bag with Holes." Sleek and capacious, the bag is a natural for travel in durable Monogram canvas. The practical insert pouch keeps belongings secure.

The Bag with Holes by Rei Kawakubo - $2,820.00 CDN.

This is my favourite piece in the collection.

The Camera Messenger Bag by Cindy Sherman

For her Camera Messenger, visual artist Cindy Sherman drew on memories of the colorful hotel labels affixed to vintage Vuitton trunks. The bag evokes Sherman’s own journey as a photographer, with nine embroidered patches that incorporate images from her personal oeuvre. This statement piece is practical too: a detachable strap and leather handles lend themselves to a multitude of carry options – indeed, the artist imagined herself wearing the Messenger cross-body as she biked around town on photo shoots.

The Camera Messenger Bag by Cindy Sherman - $4,450.00.

Studio in a Trunk by Cindy Sherman

With her inimitable sense of color and drama, Cindy Sherman reimagines the custom-made Vuitton trunk, those rare pieces created for globetrotters of yore (such as the legendary Stokowski model, created for the maestro in 1930). The Studio in a Trunk is covered in an exclusive Monogram canvas, with silk-screened patches that recall vintage hotel labels. In fact, Sherman designed the motifs using elements of her own work to reflect her journey as an artist. Fitted with a luxurious vanity case, a Camera Messenger bag and a total of 31 drawers (to accommodate treasures large and small), the trunk’s interior dazzles with hues borrowed from the plumage of Mister Frida, the artist’s pet macaw. The Studio in a Trunk is produced in a limited edition of 25.

Studio in a Trunk by Cindy Sherman - $24,300.00

Fleece Pack by Marc Newson

Acclaimed as the most influential industrial designer of his generation, Marc Newson’s work ranges from concept jets to jewellery. When he accepted the invitation to join "Celebrating Monogram" project, he set out to create a truly functional object; the result is this pure, sculptural backpack. Monogram canvas provides structure (the bag can stand on its own, without losing its shape) while soft shearling lends comfort and accents the biomorphic shape. Inside, the roomy central space and a host of pockets keep belongings organised. Also available in blue and beige.

The Fleece Pack by Marc Newson - $5,950.00.

Punching Bags by Karl Lagerfeld

This is the smallest piece from Karl Lagerfeld’s extravagant Boxing suite – and with its longer, curvy silhouette, it is surely the most flirtatious. The "Baby" Punching Bag brings a fresh, feminine allure to iconic Monogram canvas. The material is supple and body-friendly, beautifully enhanced with double chain handles in aged golden brass. A special tanning process gives the cowhide leather trim an appealingly lived-in, vintage look.

Punching Bag Baby by Karl Lagerfeld - $ 3,400.00.

Punching Bag PM by Karl Lagerfeld

Karl Lagerfeld cleverly recast the boxer’s punching bag into a chic and covetable new bag for city wear. Instantly recognisable owing to the iconic Monogram canvas and heritage House details – note the LV on the handle bases and padlock – the innovative elongated shape sets this piece apart. Supple and body-friendly, Lagerfeld’s Punching Bag features double chain handles with shoulder pads for extra comfort. The specially aged leather trim and brass hardware lend the bag a unique patina.

Punching Bag PM by Karl Lagerfeld - $4,000.00.

Punching Bag GM by Karl Lagerfeld

Karl Lagerfeld combined the codes of sport and luxury to create the Punching Bag, a key piece of the Boxing suite he designed to celebrate Monogram. While one could of course employ this large model for training practice (simply suspend it from its companion stand and start swinging!), most will prefer to use this elegant bag for travel – or for trips to the gym. Fashioned of supple, body-friendly Monogram canvas, the Punching Bag features expandable sides, a single zip closure and double chain handles in burnished brass.

Punching Bag GM by Karl Lagerfeld - $4,450.00.

Punching Bag Suitcase by Karl Lagerfeld

In the grand tradition of special-order Vuitton luggage – purpose-built cases for objects ranging from top hats to cigars, from jewels and shirts to photography or picnic gear – Karl Lagerfeld presents his Punching Suitcase. This elegant travel accessory is fitted with a pair of boxing gloves in leather-trimmed Monogram canvas and a training mat. Playful? Yes, but practical, too: with the inner dividers removed, the bag can accommodate all manner of belongings. Fashioned of supple Monogram canvas with rich, aged leather trim including reinforced corners and a luggage tag, the Punching Suitcase slips seamlessly into the larger Boxing Trunk suite.

The Punching Bag Suitcase by Karl Lagerfeld - $5,950.00.

Punching Trunk by Karl Lagerfeld

Karl Lagerfeld possesses an unerring knack for capturing the air du temps and distilling it into objects of desire. In celebration of Vuitton’s iconic Monogram canvas, the master imagined an extravagant set of luggage and accessories for devotees of the "sweet science." His Boxing Trunk is fitted with a signature punching bag and stand, while a separate suitcase, also in Monogram, holds boxing gloves and a mat. With its capacious interior and removable shelving, the trunk can also serve as a chic travel closet. Heritage details – leather corners, tags, embossing – combine with vintage cowhide trim and aged brass hardware for an exceptional collector’s piece that is both timeless and of-the-moment.
The Punching Trunk is produced in a limited edition of 25.

The Punching Trunk by Karl Lagerfeld - price upon request.

Shopping Bag by Christian Louboutin

For his contributions to 'Celebrating Monogram,' Christian Louboutin achieved a rather amazing mind-meld of his own signature codes - red (of course), metal studs, feminine bows - with those of Monogram. His Shopping Bag conjures a vision of the mythical Parisienne, always chic and impeccably turned out, even while running errands. This outrageously stylish tote pairs Monogram canvas with an eye-catching back panel of red calf hair. Ornamented with leather ribbons and a studded outer pocket, the bag is eminently practical, too, with compartments and pockets designed for optimal organization.

Shopping Bag by Christian Louboutin - $5,200.00.

Shopping Trolley by Christian Louboutin

What happens when Christian Louboutin applies his glamorous aesthetic to the humble French market cart? Combining iconic Monogram canvas with Vuitton heritage codes and his own signature embellishments, he has created this spectacularly seductive Shopping Trolley. It abounds with delightful details and allusions, from the rounded Toron handles and red calf-hair back panel, to the brass corners inspired by House trunks and the metal Siamoise ornament that is "so Louboutin." Inside the Trolley’s studded front pocket, a red-calf and Damier canvas clutch displays a graphic LV logo, echoed on the leather luggage tag.

Shopping Trolley by Christian Louboutin - $24,300.00

Twisted Box by Frank Gehry

Renowned for his designs on a grand scale – the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, the Vitra Design Museum near Basel, among many others – architect Frank Gehry applies his avant-garde mastery to the construction of this sculptural bijou of a bag in Monogram canvas. For all its delicacy, the Twisted Box was the most technically challenging piece of the entire "Celebrating Monogram" collection, owing to the combination of rigid lines – typical of iconic Vuitton trunk – and the graceful curves that make the bag such a pleasure to wear. A press of the golden-brass clasp reveals a surprising blue lambskin interior, embossed with a Monogram pattern hand-drawn by Frank Gehry.

Twisted Box by Frank Gehry - $4,450.00

These exclusive and limited editions will be available in select Louis Vuitton stores worldwide in mid-October 2014. "The Icon and The Iconoclasts: The Celebration of Monogram" launch event will take place in New York City on November 7th, 2014.

♥ Nicola Loves it @ Louis Vuitton ♥