In a reminder that fashion is a truly global industry, Louis Vuitton debuted its Cruise 2017 collection in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, over the weekend while most of America was grilling hot dogs, not contemplating global fashion or the coming Olympics, which will also be held in Rio. As you might imagine, the bags from the collection were just as bright and sporty as the location and timing would seem to imply.
In addition to two beautiful striped Epi Leather prints, the new collection features a couple of bags printed with images of men playing soccer, which is just about as Brazilian as you can get in handbag form. With those bags, Vuitton has decided to go a route that relatively few old European luxury houses have tried: see now, buy now. Half a dozen of the new bags, which are all fresh versions of “new classics” that creative director Nicolas Ghesquiere has introduced during his time at LV, are available immediately on the brand’s website.
Check out the bags below; personally, I’ll pass on the soccer dudes, but I love the blue-based stripes.
Louis Vuitton City Steamer PM Bag
$3,850 via Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton Petite Malle Bag
$5,750 via Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton Petite Malle Bag
$5,750 via Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton Twist MM Bag
$4,100 via Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton Twist MM Bag
$4,100 via Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton Twist MM Bag
$4,050 via Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton Twist PM Bag
$3,750 via Louis Vuitton
WAGs. Wives and girlfriends of football stars. That’s whom I envision the target market is. Or actual female football stars themselves, they exist people. Or Brazilians as everyone knows that next to the Brazilian wax, football is Brazil’s best export. (Doesn’t matter if footie originated in England. Brazil *made* it into what it is today.) I’m a casual soccer fan, I’d buy it if I had a few g’s lying around.
I’m sorry, I find the bags with the soccer players ugly and tacky. No offense to those who love them, this is just my opinion.
Not into the soccer theme but love the colorful Petite Malle and Twist bags.
Not a fan of the soccer players either, and also wondering how many LV customers actually will be? It seems like an awfully niche style lacking in wider appeal. I know they’re doing more limited runs of all their bags to maintain that air of exclusivity, but I wonder how well these will sell.
I’d buy one as a show of support for poor Brazil, but short of actually going there for the Olympics. Whoops! Hehe, sorry. Zika scared.
These are awful. Unless you’re a huge soccer player/ fan who wants that on their bag? Awful.
These just comes across as a money grab attempt with the Olympics. There’s no thought to it besides that.
Aimed at.. Soccer Wives?
Or metrosexual soccer players?
Not that I’m an LV fanatic as I only own one LV item, but what is going on with the design house?! Who thought that this was cool? These are ugly. How many do they actually think that they will sell?
I love the Twist bag but this is just..I have no words.
I think they’ll become pieces of history. The Olympics has never been held in South America until now so these bags aren’t just fashion items but commemorative memorabilia.
I love that petite Malle in slide #2, but the price is like woah! 🙁
The football theme was clearly designed for the WAGS
Nothing says “Brazil” more than football. This is a fun bag, a snapshot of a particular moment in time as far as the country playing host to the Olympics. If my little nugget were a bit older, I would buy this bag and wear it to his soccer games. Why not? One can have a sense of humor about fashion.
striped ones are very nice.
I think the ones with the soccer players are awful because the illustrations are horrid (and just slapped on). They could have worked if LV put more effort and thought into the graphics. Lost opportunity here.
Emperor’s New Purse yawwnnnn
i loveeeee football as much as i love LV, Chanel, mani-pedis and crying at romantic movies??? ?? I wll definitely definitely will buy the collection in a hardbeat, unfortunately not on the budget ? Hey but maybe that will inspired the hubbie to get me my first LV ???