Earlier this year eLuxury.com announced its plan to shutter retail operations over the next six months. While most closures are due to the economic crisis, eLuxury’s move is simply to pursue other interest(s) i.e. an online magazine focusing on luxury markets. According to an LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (eLuxury’s parent company) spokeswoman the reason for the closure of the retail operation was not based on the site’s financial performance, but rather because many of the brands it sells have developed their own online presences.

“Starting in mid 2009, eLuxury’s new mission will be to create an ‘e-window’ into the world of luxury, by serving as an information reference for luxury in fashion, art de vivre, leather goods, wines and spirits, watches and jewelry, gastronomy, cars, yachts and services,” the spokeswoman said. “To that end, eLuxury intends to develop collaborations with the most prestigious names in the world of luxury media, as well as the main contributors of the luxury world.”

…Click to continue reading | No More Louis Vuitton at eLuxury

Hold the press and shut the front door because I’m in love with a men’s bag, LOL. When it comes to my bags I see no sex only shape, price and functionality and the Tadao from Louis Vuitton encompasses it all. The perfect modern and masculine tote in every way. From the leather trims to the flat handles this bag is a “Carry Daily”. Fabricated out of the Damier Graphite (a new take on the old Damier pattern) the Tadao has polished silver metal hardware, a removal strap (hands free baby) and a textile lining. At about 16” x 14.7” I’m voting it the best man bag for the first half of 2009 under $1,500. I know Louis Vuitton makes my list quite often but what can I say I’m obsessed with quality and the art of travel, even if it’s trekking to the mall. The Tadao is available at Louis Vuitton boutiques or LouisVuitton.com and will set you back $1,410 USD.

Louis Vuitton Damier Graphite Tadao $1410 USD

Last we heard, Bill Blass was sold after Peter Som left and the new owners Peacock International Holdings filed bankruptcy, with eventual plans to start the line back up. Then, last week, the search for a new creative director was revealed to be on, with plans to relaunch later this year. Several industry sources are now indicating that Richard Chai may be the man to take over — he is supposedly in talks with Peacock. Click here to read the rest of this post (Via Fashionologie )

Richard Chai

…Click to continue reading | Jet-Linked: Chai to Bill Blass, Vuitton Fall/Winter 09, Givenchy’s Miracle

Louis Vuitton
In Las Vegas I prefer the Louis Vuitton Store at the Fashion Show Mall. I know people say they are snooty and I will agree but my SA Maricel A. is a doll. It’s like walking in to meet a friend; she’s extremely nice and personable.

In Miami I love me some Barbara B. at Louis Vuitton Bal Harbour, Barbara is the best SA money that can buy when it comes to product knowledge. She knows her Vuitton and she knows it very well, from limited editions to custom orders Barbara is my go to girl.

Louis Vuitton Champs Elysees

…Click to continue reading | My Favorite SA’s at: Vuitton, Kors and Barneys!

For those of you not familiar with the Louis Vuitton Neverfull it is a shopper/tote style bag that is able to carry up to 562lbs(231 on each strap) of your basic necessities. To test it out these people decided to put a petite woman inside the bag and lift her. See for yourself if the straps break or not.

Purse or Luggage

There is not a carte blanche when it comes to personalization or “Mon Monogram” as the service is referred to so you can’t pick any item from the store. The collections available for “Mon Monogram” are Speedy, Keepall, and Pegase in the monogram canvas only. Certain items have maximum letter limits. For example on a Speedy you are allowed up to 3 letters where as on the Bisten, Alzer, Boite Flacon, or Steamer Trunks the limit is the length of your full name.

Louis Vuitton Personalized Monogram Speedy 30 Front View

…Click to continue reading | Get “Personal” at Louis Vuitton

To pay homage to the late designer/artist Stephen Sprouse, Louis Vuitton Creative Director Marc Jacobs is reinventing his graffiti collection from 2001. The new Stephen Sprouse Limited Edition Collection for Louis Vuitton will feature Ready to Wear and Accessories. Stephen Sprouse’s graffiti and rose motifs will be interpreted on the Neverfull, Speedy and Keepall collection of bags, as well as shoes, leggings, sunglasses, coats, and small leather goods. The collection will hit stores January 9th to coincide with the “Rock on Mars” retrospective at Deitch Projects and “The Stephen Sprouse Book” by Roger Padilha and Mauricio Padilha.

Stephen Sprouse Monogram Graffiti Keepall

…Click to continue reading | Louis Vuitton Pays Homage to Stephen Sprouse

There’s always something special about a collaboration because it brings about the best of both collaborators. In some instances the collaboration is to target a new customer in others it is to bring a new take to a product. Whether you favor them or not collaborations are big for both parties involved as well as the end user. For the artist(s) their work gets presented to a whole new audience and for the consumer they are seeing something new and fresh that is sometimes more affordable. In the past few years’ collaborations have gained momentum and has introduced a wide variety of artist, designers, and stores to a broader audience.

Some of my favorite collaborations

Takashi Murakami for Louis Vuitton: Monogramouflage

…Click to continue reading | Collaborations: from Louis Vuitton to H & M

For the past 4 years I’ve wanted a custom or personalized Louis Vuitton but something always came up and the idea always escapes my mind. Well a couple of months ago the thought came in my head and this time I didn’t let it disappear. Not every store handles special order so I called around to ask some questions, once I got my answers I flew to Miami to order my bag. The service is referred to as “Mon Monogram” which simply translates into My Monogram. The ordering process can be a little confusing so I will do a separate post on ” How to Order a Personalized Louis Vuitton“. For my order I went with two colors blue and ivory, I chose the wide stripe done in blue with an ivory border. For my initials I reversed the colors so the letters are in Ivory with a blue shadow or outline. Personalized orders cost 30% more from the bag’s retail price, plus tax. My personalized speedy 30 came out to $1100 USD.

Louis Vuitton Custom Monogram Speedy 30 Front View

…Click to continue reading | My Personalized Louis Vuitton Speedy 30