Louis Vuitton, renowned for its stellar picks of collaborations over the years, working with celebrated artists from Jeff Koons to Stephen Sprouse and Yayoi Kusama, has reinvented its iconic Monogram canvas.
This Cruise season, the French luxury label has called upon legendary fashion editor Grace Coddington to bring her idiosyncratic eye to a capsule collection of leather goods, accessories, shoes and ready-to-wear, designed alongside Womenswear Creative Director Nicolas Ghesquière, inspired by the former's love of animals.
The collection features illustrations that depict Coddington's cats, which include Persians, Pumpkin and Blanket, as well as Ghesquière's dog, Léon. Leaping across an orange monogram print that reflects her signature flame-colored hair or a graphic monochrome, Grace's illustrations represent a new chapter in the Louis Vuitton story: the Catogram.
Throughout the collection, creative charm is married with the exacting craftsmanship of the Louis Vuitton ateliers: handbags are lined with signed, mouse-printed canvas and every luggage tag meticulously edge-dyed. New Classics, such as the Petite Malle or the City Steamer, along with iconic bags like the Speedy and the Neverfull are given a fresh twist. Even Catogram lambswool blankets and nylon umbrellas are transformed into unique statements.
Elegance is seen from a fresh perspective: clutch bags take the cartoon form of reclining cats or sweetly smiling dogs and silk pajamas become refined daywear.
This audacious irreverence is in harmony with both Grace's iconoclastic style and Ghesquière’s fascination with eccentricity – as well as reflecting their mutual adoration of animals. Timeless luxury has been animated by a playful spirit and turned into a covetable collection of traveling companions.
The Louis Vuitton X Grace Coddington collection pre-launched in Singapore at Louis Vuitton Takashimaya Shopping Centre Ngee Ann City on 26 October, and will be available in all stores from 2 November.
