Louis Vuitton News: January - June 2023

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Anne and Louis V: A Paris to Virginia and Back Again American Love Story

Is 2024 Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony "Bold, Audacious . . . and Risky"?

“Now, the organizers of next summer’s Paris Olympics want to make the Seine the star of their Games with an audacious plan to host the Opening Ceremonies not inside a stadium as other Olympics have done but on the river itself,” writes The Washington Post.

Anne explains why nothing, except maybe an earthquake, will keep France and the Arnault family from overcoming all obstacles in delivering a July 26 Opening Ceremonies spectacle that will have us weeping with its beauty and inspiration.

Anne of Carversville is rolling out our new landing page brand format. In addition to tracking industry news on multiple brands, AOC will be doing deep dives on the brands that inspire us. We start with Louis Vuitton.

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Rihanna Fronts New Louis Vuitton Speedy Bag Campaign in Canal Street Colors
Rihanna Fronts New Louis Vuitton Speedy Bag Campaign in Canal Street Colors

The Louis Vuitton Speedy bag is an iconic fashion statement that has withstood the test of time. Introduced in the 1930s, this elegant and practical handbag has become a symbol of luxury, sophistication, and timeless style.

Rihanna Fronts New LV Speedy Bag Campaign

In June 2023, fashion world adds Rihanna to the list of famous women who love a Louis Vuitton Speedy bag. Rihanna is an insider at LVMH, besides being a good friend of Pharrell Williams, the new creative director of Louis Vuitton Men who had a blowout opening night in Paris last week.

Shot by Japanese photographer Keizō Kitajima and American artist Martine Syms shot the campaign images in which, Rihanna hustles around the city with her Speedys, a modern woman with a to-go coffee in hand and her pregnant belly bared.

To mimic the candy-colored designer dupes he used to find on Canal Street sidewalks, Pharrell employed a novel silkscreen monogramming process to induce “a blurry, artisanal and almost hand-painted effect” on the new Louis Vuitton Speedy bag colors — which also coincide with the Olympic rings colors.

After a raid on the Paris 2024 Olympics offices before Pharrell’s debut, the hoped for LVMH sponsorship remains unannounced.

Louis Vuitton Mens Hip Elegance: A Smart Critic Asks "Can Good Taste Change the World?"
Louis Vuitton Mens Hip Elegance: A Smart Critic Asks "Can Good Taste Change the World?"

Power shifts are happening and not everybody has gotten the message. Clearly, significant numbers of people are not pleased with these new dynamics that are now obvious after the Pharrell Williams Louis Vuitton Men’s show on April 20.

That’s a shame, because the minute models hit the most spectacular runway in Paris — on the Pont Neuf overlooking the Seine — my immediate response was about the elegant tailoring and then the accessories.

The ‘Liberty’ luggage truck also told me that EVERY detail was in order around this epic Pharrell Williams blast-off.

It was only on Monday Juneteenth, that I learned about the Statue of Liberty as a gift to America from France, honoring the official end of slavery in America.

This new day Paris Cafe Society is just getting started, but it is real.

New Louis Vuitton Ambassador J-Hope Drops Keepall Bag Campaign 2023
New Louis Vuitton Ambassador J-Hope Drops Keepall Bag Campaign 2023

BTS's J-Hope stars in his first campaign as a solo Louis Vuitton ambassador, rocking his dance moves in the new LV Keepall bag campaign. Vuitton, in their Keepall campaign announcement, described BTS as "21st-century pop icons," while emphasizing J-Hope's unique appeal.

Back in 1930, as international travel began to flourish, the need for a spacious, durable travel companion became apparent. In response to this demand, Louis Vuitton introduced the Keepall, a groundbreaking design that revolutionized the way people carried their belongings.

Members of 1930s cafe society constantly interacted with artists of all mediums, and J-Hope’s Louis Vuitton Keepall campaign projects a subdued but very hip elegance.

Let’s see how this next chapter with Pharrell Williams and Pietro Beccari, Louis Vuitton’s new Chairman and CEO evolves. It appears that the original or siblings of the original Keepall are about to bust out in an array of Olympic rings colors. ~ Anne

Artycapucines with Ubuntu Spirit in Sotheby's Paris Louis Vuitton Online Auction June 28 - July 5
Artycapucines with Ubuntu Spirit in Sotheby's Paris Louis Vuitton Online Auction June 28 - July 5

Sotheby's and Louis Vuitton will auction 22 "exceptionally remade" Artycapucines handbags, with net proceeds benefiting organizations like UNICEF, Médecins sans Frontières, The United Negro College Fund, Teach for China, World Central Kitchen, Opendorf Afrika  and RED, which fights AIDS.

A group of 22 artists will now remake their original Artycapucines using the same materials wherever possible with the artist scrawling his or her name under the flap and on the carrying case, a monogram Louis Vuitton hat box based on a 1924 design.

The participating artists are Alex Israel, Amélie Bertrand, Beatriz Milhazes, Daniel Buren, Donna Huanca, Gregor Hildebrandt, Huang Yuxing, Jean-Michel Othoniel, Jonas Wood, Josh Smith, Kennedy Yanko, Liu Wei, Paola Pivi, Park Seo-Bo, Peter Marino, Sam Falls, Tschabalala Self, Ugo Rondinone, Urs Fischer, Vik Muniz, Zeng Fanzhi and Zhao Zhao.

Opening bids for these one-of-a-kind, recreated Artycapucines start at 16,000 euros.

In the spirit of these public commissions, all 22 bags will be on show from 1-5 July 2023 at a public exhibition at Sotheby’s Paris headquarters on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré.

Miranda Kerr Is 40 and Fabulous in Louis Vuitton Pre-Fall 2023 for Harper's Bazaar Australia
Miranda Kerr Is 40 and Fabulous in Louis Vuitton Pre-Fall 2023 for Harper's Bazaar Australia

Miranda Kerr wears many titles, as she celebrates her 40th birthday: Louis Vuitton face, KORA Organics skin care founder, Mrs. Evan Spiegel and mom to three boys Flynn, Hart and Myles Miranda Kerr.

The supermodel and former Victoria’s Secret Angel covered the May 2023 issue of Harper’s Bazaar Australia, catching up on her life with veteran journalist and self-described “meddler for good” Laura Brown [IG]. Read the interview.

Christian Strobble styles Miranda in the all-Vuitton fashion images shot by Nino Munoz [IG]./ Makeup by Niki M’Nray

The very visible ‘California Living’ face of Louis Vuitton recently launched their new Pacific Chill fragrance in Malibu.

Louis Vuitton LV by the Pool Summer 2023 Lisbon-Inspired Getaway Hits East Hampton
Louis Vuitton LV by the Pool Summer 2023 Lisbon-Inspired Getaway Hits East Hampton

Luxury brand Louis Vuitton continues its summer getaway mood, moving from Friday’s post of Gisele Bundchen headlining Louis Vuitton luggage’s “Horizons Never End” campaign to this new Louis Vuitton azure blues fashion and bags focus with the “LV By the Pool Collection”.

Photographer Steven Meisel captures a saucy campaign spirit that only comes through with the video. Much of the collection is inspired by Azulejos tiles in tones of blue that also evoke open skies and ocean depths. These tiles are prevalent in Spanish and Portuguese architecture in cities like Lisbon.

LV by the Pool dropped into the Village of East Hampton, NY at 1 Main Street +1.631.561.0075, with ready-to-wear, leather goods and accessories for women and men and home accessories.

Gisele Bundchen Knows 'Horizons Never End' in Louis Vuitton Luggage Campaign
Gisele Bundchen Knows 'Horizons Never End' in Louis Vuitton Luggage Campaign

Supermodel supermom, environmental activist Gisele Bundchen returns to Louis Vuitton in its new luggage campaign Horizons Never End.

Spinning the video narrative to David Bowie’s “Heroes”, the 42-year-old faces her future in backseat luxury, wearing a blazer, monogramed one-piece and signature aviators, lensed by Glen Luchford.

Hearing the sound of the ocean waves, Gisele hops out of the car and strips down to her cheeky Louis Vuitton bathing suit. Deeply in tune with the ocean her entire life, Gisele makes secondary use of her LV luggage, sitting down on it to face the waves.

The message of the new Louis Vuitton luggage campaign resonates deeply: Horizons Never End.

Louis Vuitton's 'Pacific Chill', the New 'Detox Scent' Taps Miranda Kerr for Launch
Louis Vuitton's 'Pacific Chill', the New 'Detox Scent' Taps Miranda Kerr for Launch

Louis Vuitton chose a wellness event in Malibu, California to launch its newest fragrance Pacific Chill. Friend of the house model, mother and businesswoman Miranda Kerr is the face of Pacific Chill.

Kerr’s own company Kora Organics is a leading global certified organic skincare brand, a perfect alignment for ‘Pacific Chill’, described by Vuitton’s maître parfumeur Jacques Cavallier-Belletrud as a ‘detox’ fragrance.

Credit the Beverly Hills Hotel’s Polo Lounge as the source of inspiration behind the new fragrance. About a year ago Cavallier-Belletrud was in LA for several days and enjoyed the hotel’s 14 Carrot Gold juice, made of carrot, orange and ginger every morning.

During a creative meeting with Alex Israel on that trip, Pacific Chill was born. Enveloped in a blue-green hued vessel, a 100-ml. bottle of Pacific Chill retails for $300.

LV Shake Shoes 2023 Campaign with Chiara Ferragni for Louis Vuitton
LV Shake Shoes 2023 Campaign with Chiara Ferragni for Louis Vuitton

Inspired by the clasp of the iconic Twist bag, the LV Shake shoe exudes a timeless feminine allure with a modern foundation.

Leading the campaign for the Shake collection is the ‘The Blonde Salad’ blogger, businesswoman and influencer Chiara Ferragni, a well-known social media influencer, mother of two and style icon. Much of Ferragni’s current appeal is lodged in her modern mama persona.

Ferragni channels the spirit of the 60s, with its undeniable youthquake appeal and huge embrace of modernity. We see these images without a larger social context, however.

Louis Vuitton Makes Zendaya Official in 2023 Capucines Campaign by Mert & Marcus
Louis Vuitton Makes Zendaya Official in 2023 Capucines Campaign by Mert & Marcus

On Thursday rumors that Zendaya had made a major luxury brand move were confirmed, with Louis Vuitton announcing her as its newest house ambassador.

Master photographers Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott captured Zendaya as the face of its Capucines bag, shot in color-saturated, cinematic images of blue sky and a quiet Mediterranean backdrop at the restored 1929 Roquebrune-Cap-Martin house, designed by Irsh architect Eileen Gray./ Hair by Raoul Alejandre; makeup by Antoinette Hill

The Golden Globe–winning actor’s career is in fifth gear, with two highly-anticipated films this year. ‘Challengers’, a Luca Guadagnino–directed tennis drama [‘Call Me by Your Name’] will release in August on August 11, 2023. Zendaya stars with ‘The Crown’s’ Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist ‘West Side Story’ in a tennis tournament in which her husband faces off against her former lover.

Sunseekers Bella Hadid, Ouyang Nana in Louis Vuitton 2023 Sunglasses by Steven Meisel
Sunseekers Bella Hadid, Ouyang Nana in Louis Vuitton 2023 Sunglasses by Steven Meisel

Bella Hadid greets longer days and brilliant sun as the face of Louis Vuitton 2023 sunglasses campaign, joined by Taiwanese singer, musician and actor Ouyang Nana.

Carine Roitfeld styles the campaign with Bella and Ouyang in images by Steven Meisel. / Hair by Guido Palau; makeup by Pat McGrath

Louis Vuitton Men Taigarama Bags Summer 2023 Campaign Lensed by Tom Johnson
Louis Vuitton Men Taigarama Bags Summer 2023 Campaign Lensed by Tom Johnson

Louis Vuitton Men releases the Taigarama Summer 2023 Campaign with models Akito Mizutani, Choi Mabior, Limamu Mbaye and Lucas El Bali styled by Pau Avia.

Tom Johnson [IG] photographs the campaign, with art direction by Lucie Matussiere./ Hair by Christian Eberhard; makeup by Christine Corbel

An Edgy Look at Louis Vuitton Spirit High Jewellery Collection in Vogue Taiwan March 2023
An Edgy Look at Louis Vuitton Spirit High Jewellery Collection in Vogue Taiwan March 2023

Model Yue of City Models Paris makes a vivid impression about modern elegance, styled by Pablo Patane in bold pieces from the fourth [2022] Louis Vuitton Spirit High Jewellery Collection.

Francesca Amfitheatrof, the Maison’s Artistic Director for Watches and Jewellery, created a five-themes, multi-dimensional journey for the woman who wears luxurious extravagance.

Not only liberty, strength, and the notion of infinity define the design dna, but also ideas of destiny and of soaring to new heights.

Louis Vuitton Ambassador Liu Yifei Covers Marie Claire China March 2023
Louis Vuitton Ambassador Liu Yifei Covers Marie Claire China March 2023

Chinese-American actor Liu Yifei presents three covers for the March 2023 issue of Marie Claire China. Liu, who gained international recognition with Disney’s remake of ‘Mulan’ became the new face of Louis Vuitton in China in January 2021.

Punkcherry styles the cover story with designs by Diamond Dazzle, Giambattista, Ming Ma, Ronald van der Kemp, Thom Browne and more. Shanghai-based photographer Ziqian Wang [IG] captures the shoot. / Makeup by Cai Wenyan; hair by Jian Wei

Louis Vuitton Drops Ramadan 2023 Capsule with Malika El Maslouhi by Carlijn Jacobs
Louis Vuitton Drops Ramadan 2023 Capsule with Malika El Maslouhi by Carlijn Jacobs

Louis Vuitton releases a Ramadan capsule, available on their ME website and select Louis Vuitton stores in the region. Model Malika El Maslouhi poses with precious handbags and classic ready-to-wear pieces styled by Victoria Sekrier.

Carlijn Jacobs [IG] photographs the campaign with Axel Morin on film with Tony Romero as art director; Ryan Chappell as choreographer; Vincent Olivieri on set design.

Louis Vuitton SS 2023 Campaign with Hoyeon Jung and Cast by David Sims
Louis Vuitton SS 2023 Campaign with Hoyeon Jung and Cast by David Sims

South Korean ‘Squid Game’ actor and Louis Vuitton ambassador Hoyeon Jung plays with scale in the Spring 2023 campaign.

Jung just booked another very important beauty ambassador role with Lancôme.

The campaign is fast and young — more than usual. The playhouse structure is modeled after Louis Vuitton’s historic home in Asnieres, located on the left bank of the river Seine, some eight kilometres from the center of Paris.

Today the home is called ‘La Galerie’, and it functions as a permanent exhibition space for Louis Vuitton.

The rest of the cast includes Elio Berenett, Franzisla Jetzek, Greta Oberwalleney, Killian Smits, Sarah Brown and Samile Bermannelli.

Frequent LV photographer David Sims [IG] is behind the lens, with styling by Marie-Amelie Sauve.

Louis Vuitton SS2023 Capucine Campaign Teaches Us Kintsugi with Lea Seydoux
Louis Vuitton SS2023 Capucine Campaign Teaches Us Kintsugi with Lea Seydoux

Louis Vuitton’s Capucine bag heads into its second decade, showcased for Spring/Summer 2023 by maison ambassador Lea Seydoux.

In this moment of so many challenges central to our lives, the Spring 2023 Capucine bag with a handle made using the ancient Japanese Kintsugi technique may be the most special.

Seriously, can the handle of a Louis Vuitton Capucine bag teach us a life lesson?

In an throwaway, one and done, age of mass production and reckless disposal, ‘kintsugi’ is not only focused on repairing our favorite chipped vessels.

Now we learn that ‘kintsugi’ is also a way of crafting — even mending — our lives. It’s very Zen and challenges humans to consider the contemplation of imperfection, as well as the constant flux and impermanence of all things.

Digging Deeper Into Pharrell Williams' Real Mission at Louis Vuitton Mens
Digging Deeper Into Pharrell Williams' Real Mission at Louis Vuitton Mens

A fashion industry earthquake happened this week with the appointment of Pharrell Williams as Creative Director at Louis Vuitton Men’s, replacing his close friend Virgil Abloh who passsed in November 2021. The hip hop mogul, business entrepreneur, social activist with a high-volume voice on racial and gender-justice has drawn major criticism from fashion writers who argue that Pharrell’s lack of a formal design education indicates that all that matters to LVMH is his celebrity status.

I don’t mean to sound sassy, but knowing that Louis Vuitton doubled its volume from $10 billion to $20 billion in the last four years suggests that this executive team knows what it’s doing. I’m a maverick to the core and rarely silent on important topics.

But I do show respect to professionals who have just accomplished unimaginable results in business, results that defy logic. Before accusing them of being money-hungry Las Vegas strippers ready to trash the most valuable brand in the luxury world for a few bucks, I dig deeper.

The Beautiful Pharrell Williams has been Named Louis Vuitton Men’s Creative Director
The Beautiful Pharrell Williams has been Named Louis Vuitton Men’s Creative Director

I never praise myself, but I KNEW Pharrell was the perfect human for Louis Vuitton Mens and that LV would see it that way, too.

I’ve asked Louis Vuitton Mens [and Dior — too — both men and women] and Etro this morning to pick up the mantle that few businesses can lead. LVMH is well aware of what I am saying. And they are listening.

This video about Pharrell’s ‘Black Ambition’ organization is only about two years old. Clearly Virgil knew how ill he was, but we see here Virgil and Pharrell really speaking to issues of black success. The convo goes deep into their values as humans.

Felecia Hatcher is very succesful in her own right and she serves as CEO of ‘Black Ambition’.

Tyler Mitchell Captures Louis Vuitton Spring 2023 Mens Campaign, Shot in Almeria, Spain
Tyler Mitchell Captures Louis Vuitton Spring 2023 Mens Campaign, Shot in Almeria, Spain

Photographer Tyler Mitchell [IG] was over the moon, shooting “a gang of boys in the Spanish desert” near Almería, Spain. The minute I saw Mitchell’s name I understood how impacted he was by the shoot. To his credit, Tyler said as much: “I'm extremely thankful for the opportunity. Photography has brought me many places but this is my first main campaign for a heritage house of such stature. Those who know me know how much this means.”

In an excellent interview Mitchell has with FRIEZE, the photographer explains how his new work is being influenced by his growing understanding of historical paintings.

AOC understands the constant mention of boyhood games and imaginations in the evolving Louis Vuitton Menswear discussion, but to me it’s just as important that cool men are relating to amusing and creative elements in their clothes. Creativity is known to be a uniting force among diverse peoples.

Virgil Abloh understood that reality. Clearly Louis Vuitton understands it in their deeply personal embrace of Virgil’s talents — then and now. And Tyler Mitchell is a similarly soft-spoken, creative personality that fits beautifully into the Louis Vuitton hive.

Louis Vuitton FW 2023 Menswear with Colm Dillane Is Praise-Worthy
Louis Vuitton FW 2023 Menswear with Colm Dillane Is Praise-Worthy

I personally went back over Virgil’s older shows and the influence of the menswear design studio is strong in the Fall 2023 collection. This is not about radical change.

AOC remains a believer that Beccari and Arnault will take the menswear design group for an innovative spin — sort of a design laboratory that focuses on the future studio workplace.

But to hear in March that Colm Dillane gets his LV men’s position would not surprise us. AOC believes strongly that elegance is in the wind. I did keep asking myself “Would Jay-Z wear these clothes? Would the NBA players wear these clothes because the LV Men’s NBA clothes are fabulous.

We are positive that LVMH will make some kind of investment in Dillane. His whole story and his talent are pretty irresistable.

Brooklyn KidSuper Founder Colm Dillane Co-Creates Louis Vuitton AW 2023 Menswear
Brooklyn KidSuper Founder Colm Dillane Co-Creates Louis Vuitton AW 2023 Menswear

KidSuper founder Colm Dillane, Brooklyn’s homegrown superhero, will return to Paris Fashion Week, as the luxury fashion equivalent of an ‘artist as residence’ in the creation of the Louis Vuitton Autumn/Winter 2023 menswear collection.

Mr. Dillane, 31, is considered to be a great storyteller. In 2021, the prestigious LNMH Prize awarded him the runner-up Karl Lagerfeld prize with two other designers. Dillane thrives on collaboration, as did Abloh, and his commercial partners have run the gamut from Puma to SpaghettiOs.

Louis Vuitton Holiday 2022.23 ‘Les Extraits Murano Masterpiece’ Fragrance Art
Louis Vuitton Holiday 2022.23 ‘Les Extraits Murano Masterpiece’ Fragrance Art

For Holiday 2022.23 ‘Les Extraits Murano Masterpiece’ advances this transformation of fragrance into art with the visionary expertise of Glass Master Simone Cenedese.

This entire fragrance project is so intellectual, that we must backtrack to it origins in order to full appreciate it newest fragrance art offering.

In his own words, Belletrud explains the origins of ‘Les Extraits’ collection:

I wanted to venture where no one goes anymore. To reinvent the notion of an Extrait in a contemporary way. To bring it light, expand matter, and lighten things up. I wanted to deconstruct the very architecture of perfume

Louis Vuitton x Yayoi Kusama Collab Debuts in Vogue Netherlands January 2023 by Koto Bolofo
Louis Vuitton x Yayoi Kusama Collab Debuts in Vogue Netherlands January 2023 by Koto Bolofo

Vogue Netherlands gets the jump on fashion stories centered on the Louis Vuitton x Yayoi Kusama collaboration, a sequel to the 2012 first project between the two global juggernauts.

Critically-acclaimed artist Yayoi Kusama has been breaking new ground for more than six decades and is now 93 years old. Known for her use of dots in multiple artistic media, do not think for one minute that Kusama’s art is created as a fashion statement.

Our earth is only one polka dot among a million stars in the cosmos. Polka dots are a way to infinity. –Yayoi Kusama

Drop Dates

The initial drop will launch on New Year’s Day, January 1 exclusively in China and Japan, followed by the rest of the world on the 6th.

The second drop of the Louis Vuitton x Yayoi Kusama 2023 collab will only be available in Louis Vuitton stores from March 31, 2023.

Louis Vuitton x Yayoi Kusama 2023 Campaign Preview with Gisele by Steven Meisel
Louis Vuitton x Yayoi Kusama 2023 Campaign Preview with Gisele by Steven Meisel

Fashion world got a major wakeup this morning with a preview of the January 2023 Louis Vuitton x Yayoi Kusama campaign.

Yayoi Kusama, Age 93, Rolls Again with Louis Vuitton

LV makes a big move putting Gisele Bundchen front and center in a second, historical collaboration with revered Japanese creative Yayoi Kusama, one of the world’s pre-eminent artists at age 93.

“One of the aspects of her [Yayoi Kusama’s] work is happiness, and we thought it would be really refreshing after the pandemic to have the worlds of Vuitton and the world of Kusama meet again,” Arnault explained. The successful first collaboration between the two global giants happened in 2012.