For many, exotic bags are the pinnacle of the designer bag world. Many of us own bags that others have as well, a bag we may see on the street or on social media channels often, but majority of exotic bags are rare and sometimes one-of-a-kind. Two years ago we had the pleasure of seeing an array of the extraordinary exotic bags Louis Vuitton has to offer and a couple of weeks ago on a yacht in Miami we were delighted to be given the opportunity again (more on that soon).
Seeing a brand’s rarities is a delight, it’s something many may not see in person as majority of stores don’t have these bags on their shelves. The Louis Vuitton fan base and client list is vast, and while majority carry its leather wares, there is a collector base for the exotics as well. Louis Vuitton’s exotic handbag offerings have been growing, with more of the most coveted styles we all know being finished in beautiful skins as well as outstanding and intriguing color combinations and finishes.
I am able to see many bags in person, but it’s far less common to get an exotic bag in my hands (in this case white glove hands so as not to add any of my oils to the skins of these bags). We were able to check out the Louis Vuitton Pont 9 Crocodilien Mat in person, and this bag stopped Vlad and I in our handbag loving tracks. The Louis Vuitton Pont 9 was released earlier this year and stands out for its ladylike lines and compact yet versatile shape and size. The design is inspired by vintage Louis Vuitton pieces, and each comes together to offer a modern day take on old House staples.
This version is crafted from matte crocodilian skin and has a bright red goatskin lining. The LV circle magnetic closure sits atop the center of the bag and on the interior you’ll find two inside compartments, a flat pocket, and a zipped pocket. The strap, while adjustable, is not removable. The Louis Vuitton Pont 9 has grown on me, and as this year changed our dressing style to even more casual, I’ve found myself more drawn to structured carries perfectly sized for daily wear. There are of course leather versions of the Pont 9, but if you found yourself interested in an exotic version, this is truly breathtaking. The price is approximately $31,500 via Louis Vuitton.
And speaking of breathtaking, the Louis Vuitton Capucines is one of the most recognized and sophisticated Louis Vuitton shapes. This rendition, the Louis Vuitton Capucines BB in Python, features Emeraude Python skin which is a deep and brilliant hue of green with nods of black that were on the natural skin before it was treated and dyed. This iconic Capucines BB further shows the House’s tradition of craftsmanship with the signature LV initials wrapped in the sample skin. The flap of the bag can be worn inside or outside which offers two different looks and there’s an inside compartment, interior zipped pocket and a snap hook to secure your belongings. The strap on this bag is both removable and adjustable which allows for this to easily be used as more of an evening bag carried by hand or a luxe daily carry with the longer strap which offers a more hands free approach. The Price is $10,100 via Louis Vuitton.
There are many other exotic bags from the brand, some are classic while others are entirely alluring with out of the box finishes and color combinations. Check out the gallery below for some of my favorites. As always, more information is available on LouisVuitton.com and you can inquire with a store if you are interested in any of Louis Vuitton’s exotic offerings.
Louis Vuitton
BLEECKER BOX IN CROCODILIEN BRILLANT ALLIGATOR
$26,500
Louis Vuitton
CAPUCINES MINI IN LEZARD
$9,500
Louis Vuitton
CAPUCINES PM IN CROCODILIEN MAT ALLIGATOR
$36,000
Louis Vuitton
PETITE MALLE IN LEZARD
$12,200
Louis Vuitton
CITY STEAMER PM IN AUTRUCHE
$10,900
Louis Vuitton
DAUPHINE MINI IN CROCODILIEN MAT ALLIGATOR
$37,000
Louis Vuitton
PETITE MALLE IN CROCODILIEN BRILLANT ALLIGATOR
$33,000
Louis Vuitton
LV PONT 9 IN LEZARD
$11,900
I stopped in my tracks just looking at the photos! Absolutely breathtaking!!!
I could have gotten behind the Pont Neuf and purchased one myself (I’m not a logo person, but I do really like this bag and the orange color is stunning)…but the fact that they gave a $4,000 bag for free to a bunch of influencers at the beginning of the pandemic is nauseating. Having worked several years for LVMH myself, I was shocked because at least when I worked for them, they considered themselves above obvious influencer campaigns, and I would have thought they’d have shown a bit more tact with the timing.
(Actually, I just checked the website and it looks like the bag has been removed–at least on the US site…?)
I cannot wait for them to discontinue it so that it may serve as a cautionary tale for other brands that want to also hand out free bags during a world wide crisis.
But Dior’s campaign came out rather unscathed whilst doing something very similar? Thoughts?
(It looks like it was just a website error as the Pont 9 is back on the LV website now.)
Dior is interesting to me because I’ve noticed that the brand is pushing its more trendy products to the influencer sphere (Saddle Bag, Book Tote, 30 Montaigne, etc.), while brand staples such as the Lady Dior are not. I’m no longer working in luxury, but my best guess would be that Dior is doing a better job of catering to both its established, older, customer and the new, younger generation. By not crossing their wires and keeping their promotion of brand staples vs trends separate, they bring in new clients, while simultaneously retaining their older clients (and not insulting them).
This is just my opinion, but I think Dior can get away with this because though it’s priced similarly to LV, it has not traditionally been a part of the “holy trinity” of Hermes/Chanel/LV. These brands do not have sales and do not rely on advertising as the name and exclusivity alone are enough to keep drawing customers.
In the case of the Pont 9 bag, I think it was a huge miss on LV’s marketing team in terms of misunderstanding brand perception on social media and an inability to read the room. However, we also need to take into account that luxury brands (especially the more exclusive ones) have been slow and reluctant to adapt to the internet and social media. It’s a huge issue that each brand is trying to tackle on its own because what works for one house, will not work for another. And as we can see, some are better positioned to deal with it.
I just realized I didn’t clearly address your question. Essentially, I think that Dior came out better than LV because we are already used to Dior using influencers. It was still in poor taste to run a campaign during the pandemic, but at least it was somewhat expected, whereas LV’s campaign seemingly came out of nowhere and thus, was subject to more scrutiny.
I have never understood the blogger and influencer culture of getting free product, posting a review and ig and then selling it on second hand sites in a week – it makes no sense to me at all but brands continue to promote in that manner and the consumers are buying so it is working for many!
Personally I prefer to watch the shows and go to the store to try on the items and buy things I like regardless of who is peddling it on their social media
Different generation = you are not a part of it.
Always that snarky?
The Steamer is such a beauty. I have the Pm City Steamer Autruche in Taupe color in amazing condition that I will like to sell at a pretty good discount. Any ideas where I can sell?
The lizard and python Capucines are show stoppers. Those are gorgeous. It may be though that
I’m partial to green handbags.
Not a fan of either bag, though maybe it’s how poorly the pics render. The crocodile shade looks flat, and the green python renders as garish. Snakeskin in particular seems delicate, with scales lifting eventually with use, though I suppose it you carry it once in a blue moon, it wouldn’t matter.
Stopped me —> Stopped Vlad and me
That said (it’s a most unfortunate trend, this error) : The green bag is gorgeous ?
I got to see an exotic bag in person at my local LV store. Way out of my price range, but absolutely stunning! Someone on TPF did a reveal a couple of years ago of an LV exotic bag in a fuchsia color. Total wow factor!