Style + Design Archives - Page 8 of 9

Does Louis Vuitton Bag Come With Authenticity Card?

This is proven to be the most frequently asked question. Does Louis Vuitton bag come with Authenticity Card? The answer is simple: Real Louis Vuitton bags never come with authenticity card.

True, Chanel, Fendi and Prada… have all introduced authenticity card to go with the package when you buy brand new from the boutique. Original Louis Vuitton bags don’t have authenticity cards stating: “We certify the authenticity of this item…” Instead, they come with one or two little white cards/tags:

One with the product name and model number on it, the other with the fabric/material name on it. Some bags come with both tags while others only come with one.
The cards/tags are two sided, one side in English and French on the other.
They are never attached to the bag itself by any means.

So if it is important for you to buy an authentic Louis Vuitton bag with the original package and receipt, in new condition, maybe it’s the best to buy it from Louis Vuitton store. If you find a brand new “Louis Vuitton Bag” listed on eBay with yellow authenticity card and a (home made) receipt, RUN. Fast.

More blog posts on Designer Handbag Guide.

18 September 2013

Vintage VS. Modern Louis Vuitton Saumur Bag

Designer Handbags Guide

Want to know more about Louis Vuitton date code? Today I’m going to share another date code related question.

Q: …The date code (of a vintage 80s Louis Vuitton Saumur bag we recently sold) is different to what I have seen, just curious. I’d like to know as much as possible…

Now, let’s have a look at the picture of this Saumur Bag’s date code:

Louis Vuitton started to use date codes on their bags since 1980s. There are 6 different date code formats in 1980s, unlike the single date code format (2 letters 4 numbers) on modern Louis Vuitton bags that most people are familiar with. One of the date code formats in late 1980s is 3 numbers 2 letters like this: 893 FC, which means Made in France, March 1989.

Also note it says LOUIS VUITTON MALLETIER (Louis Vuitton’s full name which was mostly stamped on Louis Vuitton antique/vintage items) on the little leather patch stitched on this vintage Louis Vuitton Saumur, while on a modern Louis Vuitton Saumur bag you’ll find “LOUIS VUITTON PARIS made in … (France U.S.A etc)” stamped on the leather patch.

Louis Vuitton Saumur Bag Heat Stamps

: Louis Vuitton Saumur Bag Heat Stamps

Louis Vuitton Saumur bag has always been popular after since it was introduced. It is shaped like saddle bags and has two separate compartments which makes it a great travel companion or an every day bag. Apart from the classic monogram Saumur bag, Louis Vuitton has introduced many other versions of Saumur bag, the latest being these 2 in Cruise 2012 collection.

(photo from Louis Vuitton Ads)

1 September 2013

Spot The Difference? Louis Vuitton Alma Bag

Designer Handbags Guide

Like Speedy and Noe Bag, Louis Vuitton Alma bag is one of the classics in the house of Louis Vuitton. It has been around for decades; people never get enough of it. That’s probably why when a very obvious fake Alma bag appeared on eBay, lots of buyers put their best bids forward. It ended up $370 in total. Not a bargain at all considering imitations like this are easily available from markets in Thailand or KL China Town for below $30.

Here are some photos of the fake Alma on eBay, can you spot the differences between this one and an authentic Louis Vuitton monogram Alma bag?

It might help if I put up some pictures of an authentic Louis Vuitton monogram Alam bag for you to compare:

Clue number 1: Louis Vuitton uses a particular type of font with a well-rounded O. See the difference?

Clue number 2: Real Louis Vuitton Alma bags never have large center pocket divider inside the bag.

I adore the photo below… that Alma bag is still looking gorgeous in a very dark patina. One thing for sure, authentic Louis Vuitton bags age well.

Stay fabulous.

11 August 2013

2013 Helpmann Awards Red Carpet Style Watch

Celebrities, Events, Style + Design

Truth to be told, I wasn’t familiar with what Helpmann Awards are all about at all before shooting red carpet arrivals of the 2013 Helpmann Awards held in the Sydney Opera House. Luckily, Google is your best friend. Thanks to old wikipedia, this is what I gathered: The Helpmann Awards, named in honour of Sir Robert Helpmann and to commemorate his memory and achievements, were established in 2001 to recognise, celebrate and promote our live performance industry, similar to the Tony Awards on Broadway and the Olivier Awards in London. They are presented by ALP annually in Australia.

It was a fine Monday on 29th July but turned out to be a very long night, for my liking. So many people you have probably never heard of or seen before walked on the red carpet and I happened to have taken the wrong flash for the event. Without a camera flash, I didn’t take the max amount of photos but it was great fun to watch everyone posting for the cameras in their most presentable frocks. Everybody walked on the red carpet that night had the opportunity to shine like a star.

Sarah Murdoch, Elizabeth Debicki, Baz Luhrmann, Emma Birdsall, Miranda Tapsell, Tina Arena and more are among the guests attended the 13th Helpmann award.

For the women’s formal wear of the night, I noticed:

Glamorous long gown is in, little black dress is out.
Highlight on the waist area is the key.
Neutral colors rule. There were a sea of black and cream colors.

Without talking too much in details, let’s have a look what people wore on the Helpmann award red carpet, shall we?

Left: Emma Birdsall, Right: Miranda Tapsell

Tina Arena

This mustard maxi dress showed up twice on the red carpet of 2013 Helpmann Awards.

Love the color and style but it seems like we Aussies have very limited fashion choices.

Sarah Murdoch arrived in a knee length, fitted dress with cut outs around the waist and shoulder area. Standing out from the crowd, she looked sharp yet feminine.

Elizabeth Debicki (from The Great Gatsby) posed in her usually cool, hand in the pocket red carpet style. Dressed in a black one piece suit, she was the only female appeared in trousers. Talking about unique, have you noticed her shoes? How clever, they must be so much more comfortable than traditional high heels. BTW what do you think of the look the shoes… Yah or nah?

Carrying on with shoes, I coudn’t help but notice The Great Gatsby director Baz Luhrmann’s shinny shoes. They sparkled even without my camera flash.

My favorite dress of the night belongs to Lucy Durack (actress in the musical Legally Blond The Musical). Equiped with a winner’s dress, she went on to win the 2013 Helpmann award for ‘best Female Actor in A Musical’ that night.

Of course there were cute and colorful moments on the 2013 Helpman Awards red carpet that didn’t require a outstanding dress.

Next year around, I’ll surely know much more about Helpman adwards. And bring a good flash for the camera.

7 August 2013

Louis Vuitton Material Guide

Designer Handbags Guide, Style + Design

Louis Vuitton, a trunk-maker in Paris since 1854 built up his legend around travel by creating luggage, handbags and accessories that were as innovative as they were elegant. Over a century and half, the fashion house of Louis Vuitton has introduced many product lines. Some stay permanent, some became discontinued. I’m trying to compile a comprehensive list on materials used for Louis Vuitton handbags, wallets and accessories here. It takes time to gather all the information so while this Louis Vuitton Material guide is being completed, it will have the TO BE CONTINUED note in the end:).

Louis Vuitton Material

MONOGRAM CANVAS

MONOGRAM CANVAS

Louis Vuitton’s symbol of quality since 1896, The monogram canvas is lightweight, supple, strong and sturdy. Completely waterproof, it is highly resistant to surface scratches – perfect for travel and contemporary life style.

MONOGRAM MULTICOLOR

The Monogram Multicolor canvas is a sophisticated colouring of the famous Monogram canvas, with 33 silk-screened colors: a real technical achievement. A complete line of city bags, small leather goods and travel bags, Louis Vutton’s icons and new products, declined in white or black background. Developed for the Spring Summer 2003 show, the Monogram Multicolor canvas is now a permanent line.

MONOGRAM MINI

MONOGRARM MINI

The Monogram Mini canvas is a small and colorful version of the Monogram canvas that comes in five colors: beige, blue, cherry, blue tone on tone and khaki tone on tone. The Monogram pattern has been reinterpreted on a light, supple and textile canvas to create a casual, fresh and very feminine collection. The Monogram Mini canvas line has been discontinued.

MONOGRAM SATIN

MONOGRAM SATIN

The monogram design was subtly enhanced with the addition of black satin weaved with metallic threads. This tone on tone pattern highlights a feminine collection of evening bags and accessories. Louis Vuitton Monogram Satin line has been discontinued.

MONOGRAM VERNIS LEATHER

MONOGRAM VERNIS LEATHER

Inspired by the spirit of Louis Vuitton’s ready-to-wear collections, Monogram Vernis is a vivacious, sparkling, ultra-feminine line. Patent calfskin bags and accessories in a range of unusual, subtle colours highlight the famous Monogram canvas pattern.

DAMIER CANVAS

DAMIER CANVAS

Designed in 1888, Damier canvas remains contemporary over the decades. Its geometric pattern and sober elegance have made it timeless. Since 1996, Louis Vuitton Offers a range of luggage and accessories in Damier canvas, for city or travel.

TO BE CONTINUED.

3 June 2013

How To Remove Odor From Designer Bags

Designer Handbags Guide

how to remove odor from Louis Vuitton bags

Sometimes if a bag has not been used for a long time and stored properly, it could have a musty/old-ish odor, which is not that pleasant. What would you do if your designer bag smells a little? It is easier to just forget about it if it’s no longer wanted but if you are still emotionally attached to it and would like to still use it from time to time, you might want to try to give it a new lease of life. Here are a few tips on how to remove odor from designer bags:

Put the bag outside when the sun is strong (need to do it at least a few days).
Wash the lining with mixed white vinegar and water and let it dry in the sun.
Put grounded dry coffee inside the bag and seal the bag in a plastic bag for a few days.
Put baking soda and charcoal in the bag and seal the bag in a plastic bag for a few days.
Stuff newspaper inside the bag and seal the bag in a plastic bag for a few days.

You see, our beloved designer handbags are just like us, in need of sun and lots of fresh air. If the smell is minor, plenty of sun and fresh air will just do the trick. My personal favorite to treat a stronger odor is coffee though every time I have to keep fighting with my mind that I’m not wasting good coffee!

If the lining is washable, white vinegar and water is a very effective way. And if you don’t like the smell of coffee, use baking soda and charcoal. But it has to be a special charcoal not the kind used for BBQ. I only managed to find that special charcoal in Japan, not here in Sydney. If you know where to get some in Sydney, I’d love to hear from you!

15 May 2013

How to Buy Authentic pre-owned Louis Vuitton?

Designer Handbags Guide, Shopping

While buying a pre-owned Louis Vuitton bag, it is a must that you get your money’s worth and that the product you buy is genuine. If you want to know how to buy authentic pre-owned Louis Vuitton, here are a few tips on how to identify whether the pre-owned Louis Vuitton that you are about to buy is a genuine one.

Monogram Placement: Check for the symmetry in the monogram placement. This is a very important indicator of an authentic Louis Vuitton piece. Most Louis Vuitton monogram bags and wallets, regardless of the style, have a side to side symmetry except for few very old vintage bags.

how to buy authentic pre-owned Louis Vuitton

Side to side symmetry in the monogram placement

Countries Manufactured: Louis Vuitton has many factories outside France. Based on the model, LV bags are currently being manufactured out of France, in countries such as USA, Germany, Italy, Spain and Switzerland other than the obvious France. So, do not think that your Louis Vuitton bag is a non genuine one just because it is manufactured outside France.

Louis Vuitton bag made in Spain

Eye for Details: Louis Vuitton is very particular about their stitching and lining. The stitched would be even and regular and there will be the same number of stitches in different bags of the same model. The lining material would invariably be made of cotton canvas material and never suede. The color of the canvas is often brown.

LV speedy bags have 5 stitches going cross the handle tab.

Fonts: Louis Vuitton uses a particular type of font with a well rounded O. Verify this to check for the authenticity of your bag.

Note the even and regular stitches and round “O”.

Tags: When a brand new Louis Vuitton is purchased from a store, there are usually two tags that are supplied along with the bag but provided separately. The first tag would have “Louis Vuitton” and the material of the bag. The second one would have the model number, the bar code and the bag’s name in French. The tags are never attached to the bag. Sometimes you get a care booklet. However, there is no authenticity card that accompanies a Louis Vuitton bag, and if someone offers you a LV bag with such a card, then it is in all probability a non genuine one.

Receipts: Some non genuine sellers may try to convince you by saying “comes with the original receipt”. A pre-owned bag with receipt doesn’t guarantee you buy authentic pre-owned louis Vuitton. Remember that a receipt can easily be counterfeited and the presence or absence of one does not in any way tell you whether the bag is genuine or not. A genuine LV receipt would be on watermark paper and the size would be smaller than an A4 paper. You can also verify whether the store address given in the receipt actually exists. It should also have the name of the sales person who sold the bag as well as the complete contact details of the buyer.

Dust bag: The earlier dust bags were made of soft cotton flannel material with a very tiny LV embossed on it. The later versions are more yellowish and are made of thicker linen like material with LOUIS VUITTON more prominently displayed across the front. But any further advertisement or writing on the dust bag – and you should know that it is not genuine.

Date Codes: It is very important to understand the meaning Louis Vuitton date code in order to buy authentic pre-owned Louis Vuitton. Louis Vuitton bags manufactured after 1980 would have a date code, but you can get genuine older models without the date code as well.

11 May 2013

Louis Vuitton Date Code Interpretation

Designer Handbags Guide

Does a date code ensure the authenticity of a Louis Vuitton Bag? The short answer is no. Some fake bags have completely wrong codes on them. Some other fake bags have date codes that make perfect sense but located incorrectly on the bags or printed rather than discreetly embossed like the original bags… The thing is, you need to know a lot more about a bag than the date code alone. Never the less, understanding Louis Vuitton date code is a vital part to identify a Louis Vuitton bag’s authenticity.

Louis Vuitton date codes indicate the country of production and production time of the particular Louis Vuitton products. Prior to 1980s, Louis Vuitton date code didn’t exist. In early 1980s, Louis Vuitton introduced date codes containing 3 or 4 numbers. Since late 80s, Louis Vuitton date codes include numbers and 2 capital letters (some times A0, A1, A2).

Louis Vuitton has many factories in France and outside France. The two capital letters (sometimes A0, A1,A2) tell us in which country the manufacturing factory located. Some examples are showing in below table, please note this list is not exhaustive and subject to update from time to time. Please feel free to let us know if the code of your original Louis Vuitton bag is not included on the list!:).

Country	Factory Codes
France	A0, A1, A2, AA, AN, AR, AS, AX, BA, BJ, BU, CT, DU, ET, FL, LW, MB, MI, NO, RA, RI,SA (Also for Italy), SD (also USA), SL, SN, SP, SR, TH, VI, V.I., TS
USA	FC, FH, OS, SD (also France), LA
Spain	CA, CR, GI, LB, LM, LO, LW
Switzerland	DI, FA
Germany	LP
Italy	BO, CE, FO, RE, MA, RC, RO, SA (also for France), TD

Louis Vuitton Date Code history and meaning.

Before 1980s:

No date code. Louis Vuitton products might have tags or stamps on them sometimes.

1980- sometimes 1990:

Date codes have 3-4 numbers with no letters, later 2 letter (some times A0, A1, A2) with 3-4 numbers.

3 numbers – first two numbers represent year, last number represents month. E.g.:821 means made in January 1982

Date code of Louis Vuitton Grand Maceau Bag: 821

4 numbers – first two numbers represent year, last 2 letters represent month. 8610 means made in October 1986
2 letters 3 numbers – 884TH means made in France April 1988.

Date code from a Louis Vuitton Papillon bag: 884 TH

3 numbers 2 letters – 882 V.I. means made in France February 1988.

A Louis Vuitton Saumur bag: 882 V.I.

2 letters 4 numbers LL YYMM – TH8906 means June 1989.

A Louis Vuitton Amazone Bag: TH 8911

From sometimes in 1990- 2006:

2 letters 4 numbers LL MYMY – A11903 Means Made in France, October 1993.

Louis Vuitton Rondonnee bag: A11903

From 2007 till now:

2 letters 4 numbers e.g.: DU4037 means Made in France 43rd week of 2007.

Louis Vuitton Diamie Azur Speedy Bag: DU4037

Here are my other useful articles about pre-owned Louis Vuitton:

3 May 2013

How To Care For Louis Vuitton Bags

Designer Handbags Guide

It is very important that you know how to care for Louis Vuitton bags. In this article we will look at certain aspects to make sure that your expensive LV bags are in a good condition even after several years.

Storage: You can store your Louis Vuitton bag in any cloth bag – even an old pillow cover would be enough, as the idea is to keep it clean and dust free and also allow air to pass through. But make sure to take it out at least once a year to avoid the ‘old’ smell from settling in. And don’t ever store your LV bags in plastic cases.

It is important not to store your LV bags close to moth balls. Repellants, be it in any form – beads, cakes or crystals – causes the monogram canvas material to age fast and this can lead to cracks. Also leave the straps open as the clips may leave stains. Keep your bag filled with a soft material that allows air to pass easily such as old clothes. This will prevent creases being formed and also retain the shape of your bag. Don’t ever hang your bag from a hook and don’t fold it either. Place it horizontally on a flat non-humid surface and avoid exposure to direct sunlight.

Cleaning: If you want to clean your monogram canvas, you can use a mild soap and wipe it off with a damp cloth. Do not rub hard on the surface of your bag even if it is to remove stain. You can slightly wet the area, to loosen up a particularly adamant stain, and then gently wipe it off. And keep in mind that even water can cause stains in leather, so avoid getting your leather parts on the LV bags wet. Don’t take your LV bags in the rain.

Maitainance: The natural leather parts on Louis Vuitton bags are not treated, therefore very sensitive to water, all kinds of stains and humid weather. Try to avoid it being exposed to harsh weather and tough stains all time. After a few years of use, it might be a good idea to ‘feed’ your LV bag with a leather conditioner at least annually. Be mindful that it can make the color of the leather darker by applying leather conditioner. Select a good brand and use carefully as per instructions in the bottle. Don’t use any harsh cleaners on your bag. LV leather is very sensitive and you need to handle it like you would handle a baby – with gentle care and affection.

Repairing: Remember that repairing your LV bag, even if it is as minor as changing the zippers can be expensive and time consuming. You can take your authentic LV bag to a Louis Vuitton boutique for repair. This will take anything from a week to several months depending on how complicated the repair required is as well as the other repair jobs that they are carrying out currently. The repair cost varies but to get an idea of the repair expenses, think in terms of paying close to a hundred dollars to repair the lining in a pocket. So, it is best to follow the motto of ‘prevention is better than cure’ and take good care of your bag from the beginning.

More blog posts on Designer Handbag Guide.

1 May 2013

Louis Vuitton Christopher Backpack Bag – Bargain Or Expensive Fake?

Designer Handbags Guide

Have you been to the new Louis Vuitton store in Sydney? It is Maison – magnificent. 3 times bigger than the old store, it is still filled with shoppers even on a weekday (what GFC, financial hardship?). On the other hand, lots of bargain hunters have been busy too, shopping for used Louis Vuitton bags for much cheaper than retail prices. But it all comes down to this question: is that near new, highly sought after Louis Vuitton bag you found on eBay a real bargain or is it just a hard to tell, super expensive fake? Someone asked me to have a look at this item listed on eBay. He liked this Louis Vuitton Christopher Backpack Bag but not sure if it’s the real deal.

Celebrities with Louis Vuitton Christopher Backpack

The cool and discontinued Louis Vuitton Christopher backpack bag has been spotted on many famous musician and basketballers. No wonder when one emerged on eBay, many people started to bid eagerly.

From the main picture, this bag looks kind of similar to a real one. It’s even got a serial number/date code AR0031 printed on a little tag inside the bag with the seemingly right country code and date format. Below 2 pictures are from the actual eBay listing:

One picture has some other designer look alike items piled next to the bag itself. That obviously impressed some bidders. Winning bid for it was US$4,276.96. Not cheap. Judged by the price alone, it got to be real right? Sadly the bag is not real. It is not even a sophisticated copy.

It’s fairly easy to tell this “Louis Vuitton Christopher backpack bag” is fake from the date code provided:

1. Wrong production date: The Louis Vuitton Christopher backpack bag was from Louis Vuitton Autumn – Winter 2004 -2005 men collection. What does the date code “AR0031” on this eBay bag tell us? Made in France, March 2001. Yeah right, back in 2001 this Louis Vuitton style didn’t even exist.

2. Wrong date code font, color and stamping technique. If you’ve seen or owned a Louis Vuitton Christopher backpack bag, you’ll know the date code on a real bag is not printed in red letters as displayed on the fake bag. It should be heat stamped on the little leather tag in side the bag like this:

Yes. auction bidding is exciting. But before making a purchase like this, it pays to do some research first. Who would like to get on hold of a second hand fake Louis Vuitton Bag?

3 April 2013

Louis Vuitton Luggage – A Piece Of History

Designer Handbags Guide

Louis Vuitton luggage is not your normal backpack or suitcase. Before Louis Vuitton (the designer and founder) started his own box-making and packing workshop, he was making luggage for the French royalty. Out of all those skilled travel box makers, Napoleon III of France picked Louis Vuttion as the trunk maker to make travel luggage and suitcases for his wife Empress Eugénie de Montijo in 1852. Yep, he was that good. The empress charged Louis Vuitton with “packing the most beautiful clothes in an exquisite way.” And he didn’t disappoint.

Louis Vuitton Luggage louis-vuitton-catalogue-1901-200x300

(photo from the Internet)

In 1854, Louis Vuitton opened his own box-making and packing workshop in Paris. The sign outside the shop read: “Securely packs the most fragile objects. Specializing in packing fashions.” Four years later, Vuitton debuted an entirely new trunk. Instead of leather, it was made of canvas that was lighter, more durable and water proof. Unlike all previous round trunks, Vuitton’s trunks were stackable, rectangular shaped—making them far more convenient for shipping via the railroad and steamship. Most commentators consider Vuitton’s trunk the birth of modern luggage. Demand for Louis Vuitton luggage was increasingly high, In 1859, Vuitton expanded into a larger workshop in outside Paris. Personal orders for Louis Vuitton luggage was not only received from French royalty but also from Isma’il Pasha and the Khedive of Egypt.

Vuitton introduced a new trunk design featuring beige canvas and red stripes in 1872. The simple, yet luxurious, new design marked the beginning of the Louis Vuitton label’s modern incarnation as a luxury brand. In 1896, in response to widespread copying of the brand’s patterns, Louis Vuitton’s son Georges Vuitton created the famous LV monogram canvas, featuring diamonds, circles and flowers, to distinguish the brand’s products.

The iconic travel bag in Louis Vuitton luggage line, LV Keepall bag was debuted in 1930. In 1997 Marc Jacobs was appointed the house’s first creative director and was charged with introducing men’s and women’s ready-to-wear collections. At the time, Jacobs told US Vogue: “What I have in mind are things that are deluxe but that you can also throw into a bag and escape town with, because Louis Vuitton has a heritage in travel.” The house has cultivated a strong celebrity following under Jacobs’ direction. Many models, actors and musicians have been the face of the brand.

June 2012 – Muhammad Ali was photographed with his grandson and a Louis Vuitton keepall bag in his Arizona home. Photo by Annie Leibovitz for the label’s latest Core Values campaign.

(photo from Louis Vuitton campaign)

A couple of beautiful Louis Vuitton hard case travel pieces from Personal Louis Vuitton Luggage collection:

Left: Louis Vuitton Beauty Truck; Right: Louis Vuitton Nice Cosmetic Travel Bag.

To date, the monogrammed Louis Vuitton luggage holds claim to being one of the world’s most recognised and iconic fashion creations of all time. It is not hard to understand why once you start using it. It’s the best:).

12 March 2013

Louis Vuitton Keepall Bag Guide

Designer Handbags Guide, Style + Design

To date, Louis Vuitton Keepall bag remains as the iconic bag in Louis Vuitton luggage line, among their numerous collections. It was first crafted in 1930 and touted as the classic, stylish travel bag for travellers who need a bag that is durable, roomy, light weight and easy to carry. . Keepall fits into an airplane’s overhead compartment and is perfect for your holiday and weekend getaway.

(photos from the Internet)

Vintage VS: Modern Louis Vuitton Keepall Bag:

Louis Vuitton Keepall bag is the original, bigger version of Louis Vuitton Speedy bag. That’s why Keepall bags produced in early 80s all have a leather tab attached to the zipper, like you the one see on the speedy bags:

Later Louis Vuitton made a change to the zipper structure of keepall. Keepall bags now have double zipper closure with two-brass zipper pulls to hold the lock. This is what you see from the current version of Louis Vuttion Keepall bag:

Styles:

Keepall has 2 styles in general:

Keepall Bandliere: A detachable, longer, leather strap also comes with it, comfortably padded at the shoulder.

Keepall: top handles only with no long cross-body strap.

Louis Vuitton Keepall bags are available in 4 different sizes:

Louis Vuitton Keepall 45: 45 x 27 x20 cm

Louis Vuitton Keepall 50: 50 x 29 x 22 cm

Louis Vuitton Keepall 55: 55 x 31 x 24 cm

Louis Vuitton Keepall 60: 60 x 33 x 26 cm

Available lines:

Keepall bags are available in different lines: Monogram Canvas, Macassar Canvas, Damier (Ebene, Azur, Graphite, Carbone, Infini) Canvas and Epi Leather.

Care for the Keepall:

Damp cloth with gentle soap for the canvas, and soft dry cloth for the leather parts. If done correctly and as often as needed, the lifespan should be comparable to that of leather. Keepall should be kept away from rough, scratchy surfaces, damp places, and high heat.

8 March 2013

What Size? Louis Vuitton Neverfull Bag Size Review.

Designer Handbags Guide, Style + Design, Style Diary

Louis Vuitton Neverfull MM and other size bags have been ever popular since they entered the fashion scene. Like a lot of other Louis Vuitton models, Louis Vuitton Neverfull bags have 3 sizes available, the GM, MM and PM.

My first Louis Vuitton Neverfull bag is the GM size from monogram line. I loved the idea of having a Louis Vuitton neverfull GM bag. Did I really enjoy using it? Not as much as I had hoped… It was too big and it didn’t retain its shape properly. The bottom of my GM neverfull bag would sag out as soon as I put something with a little weight in it. I didn’t mind a big bag but a big bag with a sagging bottom bothers me. There are base shapers for Louis Vuitton bags for sale which may help with the problem. But I’ve never tried.

Soon after that I moved on to Louis Vuitton Neverfull MM bags. My verdict? LOVE. IT. I’ve been using Louis Vuitton neverfull MM bags as my day everyday for a few years now. Why always Neverfull MM? Because.

It holds tons of items. Like the name suggested, it never gets full!
Neverfull MM bag retains its shape perfectly. No more sagging bottom!
It’s sooo lightweight. I don’t feel the weight of the bag at all.
It’s practical. Ok. I have a little confession to make: I am kind of lazy. Zippered bags are great for security but Neverfull bag’s open top suits me fine. Open and close, it’s that fast and easy. There’s a large zippered pocket inside the bag so I put all my valuables inside the pocket. Usually I put a light jumper or a scarf on top of everything in my bag.

What about the PM size? Since the title of this blog entry is Louis Vuitton Neverfull Bags Size Review, I should mention the Louis Vuitton Neverfull PM too. The PM bag is much smaller than the other two. It is still a great bag and quite spacious but it does get full:). Nevertheless, a Neverfull PM bag would hold more items than a similar sized bag due to its design.

Of course different people have different preferences. It’s just that from my personal experience the Louis Vuitton Neverfull MM bag has been suitable for my needs.

My current Louis Vuitton neverfull MM bag is from Louis Vuitton Damier line. I bought it from Louis Vuitton store in Cologne, Germany last year. It’s been with me to a lot of places but it is still looking brand new.

Louis Vuitton neverfull bags. What is your favorite size?

[instagram-feed]

4 March 2013

How To Care For Chanel Bags

Designer Handbags Guide, Style + Design

“Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say, and not giving a damn.” ~Coco Chanel~

Yes, Chanel was like that, bold, confident and simply irresistible.

As early as 1915 Harper’s Bazaar raved over Chanel’s designs: “The woman who hasn’t at least one Chanel is hopelessly out of fashion.” Chanel was truly a fascinating woman who had the extraordinary ability to transform her life and influence people the way she wanted.

Chanel bags are legendary.

As early as 1930 Mademoiselle Chanel was inspired to create a shoulder bag, thus freeing women’s hands and radically changing their allure. She drew inspiration for the early models from soldier’s rucksacks and produced them in jersey lined with petersham. An immediate success, this bag reached the height of its popularity in February 1955, with the so-called 2.55 model.

Chanel leather bags are luxury goods. Provided you take care of them, they can last for a long time. Below are the things you can do to care for Chanel bags and ensure the longevity of your precious bags.

How To Care For Chanel Bags:

In order to retain its elegant shape, never overload your Chanel bag.
Treat its delicate surface with the same care: do not expose the leather to sun or moisture or let it come into contact with make-up or perfume.
Light-colored patent leather should not be place adjacent to dark –colored materials (color migration phenomenon) for long periods of time. Small leather items are especially at risk for such migration.
If the product is wet, dab it dry with natural colored, absorbent, non-fluffy cloth. When you are not suing it, store in a protective cloth bag, preferably upright. For further protection, line it with tissue and place the chain straps inside so that they don’t mark the leather.
Metallic parts, metal chains and fastenings can be polished with a chamois cloth.

22 February 2013

Louis Vuitton Artsy Bag Date Code

Designer Handbags Guide, Style + Design, Style Diary

In this blog post, I’m going to show you where to find Louis Vuitton Artsy bag date code and what it looks like since I’ve received a lot of questions in regards to Louis Vuitton Artsy bag’s date code location. Indeed, finding Louis Vuitton Artsy bag date code can be a tricky task. It is discreetly”hiding” inside the bag and it could take a while to search for it if you don’t know where to look for. Some of you bought it from Louis Vuitton store but couldn’t find the date code; others found pre – owned ones but unsure about their authenticity.

We’ve talked about why a “Louis Vuitton Artsy Bag” for sale on eBay is fake in this blog post and the meaning of a Louis Vuitton handbag’s date code here.

Below is the picture of the date code (CR4161) of my Louis Vuitton Damier Azur Artsy Bag, which was bought from Louis Vuitton Pairs Champs Elysees.

A few notes of Louis Vuitton Artsy Bag Date Code:

Authentic Louis Vuitton Artsy bag’s date code is located on the fabric of the lining inside one of the wall pockets, not on a small leather tag.
The font of all Louis Vuitton Artsy bags’ date codes should be exactly the same as the one shown in above picture.
Artsy bag’s date code is imprinted on the lining ( the date code could be rubbed away with time), not painted in darker color.
Date code is not the only factor that determines the authenticity of a Louis Vuitton bag.

Some of you also asked what kind of outfits would go well with Louis Vuitton Damier Azur canvas & whether or not a LV damier Azur canvas bag will look good with darker colored clothes. Well, it depends on personal taste. In my opinion Damier Azur canvas goes well with a lot colors due to its neutral tone. It certainly looks beautiful with light colored outfits and I’ve also mixed a black top and a pair of dark blue pants with Louis Vuitton Damier Azur Artsy bag. There’s no right or wrong with what you wear really. The important thing is: wear whatever makes you most comfortable for the occasion! .

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18 February 2013