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Rinkya Links Newsletter
Issue 3, last update: 7/18/2004
Designer Shopping 1: Louis Vuitton
As I've said before, if people in the rest of the world buy something, the Japanese buy it, too, and it is sold on YJ. Designer fashion is no exception, so this month's Rinkya Links is about one of the oldest names in designer fashion, Louis Vuitton, whose large store is located in Tokyo.
Authenticity
Fake Louis Vuitton items go back almost as long as the company itself, which marks its 150th anniversary this year. In fact, Louis Vuitton was the first company to attempt to fight copies by putting the company name on the outside of their items. Although Rinkya cannot certify authenticity for you, here are a few tips to help you avoid an expensive hoax.
A list of unreliable YJ Louis Vuitton sellers, courtesy of MyPoupette.com. MyPoupette.com is a very good first stop for the next item. There's no substitute for knowing what you're looking for. Paying $30 or so for a good, well-reviewed guide to spotting fake designer items can save you hundreds, as a few hours of research will save you many more of regret. Look for auctions with additional pictures that show the boxes, dustcovers, and interiors of items. If you've done your research, you can often identify fakes from such pictures, which is why those selling fakes will often fail to have them. Check the seller's feedback. A translation engine will provide a good enough translation for you to determine if past buyers are saying they were sold a fake. Even an entirely honest seller may have one or two customers who mistakenly think this has happened, but many such assertions, even if they are a low percentage of total sales, should set off warning bells for you. No feedback at all? Don't risk being that seller's first victim! Something that looks too good to be true probably is. Someone with a genuine Louis Vuitton handbag is unlikely to start the bidding at 1000 yen.
Care of LV Items
Even before you purchase, you may want to check to see what kind of care a particular line requires. I recommend visiting the Louis Vuitton site for this information. First, you'll need to select your preferred language. (I have verified that these instructions work for all versions of the site. The labels will be different, of course, but the positions of the links are the same.) Once you're at the home page, select "Tradition" (third button from the top on the right). That will take you to a window that has "Art and Materials" at the top of the right-hand column. Select that. On the English site, the material names are given in French, but they're close to the English, and the the English summaries will help you find the right one in case of doubt. When you click on the link, the pop-up window has the name of the material in English. The buttons to allow you to scroll through the pages of materials are small gray arrows in the lower left of the central window.
Specific searches
Don't forget to try the general searches at the end of the article!
Leather Goods Bags, cases, and trunks
Damier line Damier Canvas: The Sable (dark brown) and Terre (gold) Damier checkerboard pattern designed in 1888 is woven into the canvas of this series. It's actually better to look for these under the general Damier search; most sellers say just "Damier" when they mean "Damier Canvas." Damier Géant: This series is a line of luggage for men that premiered in March 2004. It is fairly simple in design; the pattern is basically of large rectangular or square blocks, in two different textures of the same color. Depending upon the size of the bag, there will be one or more central squares with "LOUIS VUITTON PARIS" within canvas, running diagonally, woven into the texture of the canvas. The cloth is a single color, either Sable or Terre. The fiber used is an exceptionally strong manmade one, which LV says is similar to that in mountain-climbing ropes. Damier Sauvage: Damier Sauvage is made of natural haircalf leather, printed with the Damier checkerboard pattern
Epi line Epi Leather: The graining of this series leather is in parallel stripes that run horizontally on the items. The "hills" and "valleys" of the grain are dyed in different shades of the same color, yielding a two-tone look. It comes in a very wide range of colors, the most recent additions being Vanilla, Lilac, Pepper and Moka. The series contains mostly small bags and travel accessories in what Louis Vuitton describes as "dynamic, contemporary shapes." Epi Plage: These items, which seem to be beach bags only, are made of vinyl with the Epi grain. Epi Stretch: These items are composed of squares of Epi Leather, attached by a material of a contrasting color. I couldn't find any further information, but I'll go out on a limb here and assume the contrasting, connecting material is stretchy.
Exotic Leathers: As you might guess, the leathers used in this line come from unusual animals. Ostrich, lizard, and alligator items are all available, in colors both traditional (such Cognac Ostrich) and brilliant (such as Ruby Shiny Alligator).
Graffiti: This limited-edition line was released in 2001. They feature the company's name is written in graffiti-style lettering across the leather. The bags were Sable with white lettering or white with Terre lettering.
Monogram line: This is the largest and most famous Louis Vuitton line, the one that features the Monogram pattern first created by Louis Vuitton in 1896. The pattern contains the LV monogram and graphic symbols.
Series within Monogram line
Monogram Canvas: This original Monogram line is made of a canvas that features the Monogram pattern in Terre on a Sable background.
Monogram Glacé Leather: Embossed with the Monogram pattern, this leather has a glossy glazed finish.
Monogram Laser: In this series, the Monogram pattern is cut into the calfskin with a laser. This results in a sharp "outline" version of the traditional graphics.
Monogram Mat Leather: Like the Glacé's leather, this one is embossed with the Monogram pattern, but the finish is more mat in appearance. There is a gentle shine to it.
Monogram Mini Canvas: The Monogram pattern expands into colors other than the original LV ones. Each cotton canvas has the background in one shade of the color and the pattern in another. Colors include Blue denim, Cherry, Khaki, and Beige.
Monogram Multicolore: On this canvas, the Monogram pattern is done in 33 colors and appears with either a white or a black background. It was designed by Takashi Murakami who worked with LV in 2002 and is therefore often miscalled "Murakami." Also see all LV items designed by Murakami and all Murakami items on YJ.
Monogram Multicolore Satin: I was unable to discover exactly what material these items are made of, but I would suspect it is the same as the Monogram Satin line, below, only in the Multicolore color scheme.
Monogram Op Art: Again, the leather is embossed with the Monogram pattern. The finish is even glossier than the Glacé leather's. The bags themselves often have an "arty" appearance, with asymmetrical designs and large geometrically shaped tags. The color choice is red or black.
Monogram Satin: This is silk satin with metallic threads woven into it. The Monogram pattern is slightly shinier than the background, but it is a more subtle effect than actually metallic. Black, red, and taupe are the color choices.
Monogram Travel: This series in Monogram Mini in a tougher canvas, so that it is appropriate for luggage. Unfortunately, many of these hits are for "travel case" in other Monogram lines, which I could not delete without possibly deleting some Monogram Travel items.
Monogram Vernis Leather: The glossiest of them all, this series is made of patent calfskin. The color range is large, from muted tans and gentle blues to sparkling cherry red. The two newest colors are Marshmallow, a very pale pink, and Peppermint, a medium mint green. Although Louis Vuitton lists this as a Monogram series in both English and Japanese, YJ treats it as its own line.
Special Monogram Collections
Nomade Leather: These items are for those who like the natural look: the cowhide has a natural color and finish, without any imposed grain or embossing. The surface is completely consistent, however, without the flaws found in many natural leather products.
This series is known as Tennenmeshi no rezaa (according to Louis Vuitton's web site) or Tennengawa (according to YJ) in Japan. Both phrases mean "natural leather." You might want to also search under the European name, just in case the seller prefers it.
Suhali Leather: This line is made of goathide. The grain, although uneven, is natural. It seems to come in a wide variety of colors. Most items have bold, metal-studded edges.
Taïga Leather: The cowhide used in this line has what Louis Vuitton describes as a "sober grain"; I would describe it as cross hatched. It was created for men's luggage and accessories, but the styling is such that it is essentially unisex. Items come in green Epicéa, Acajou [mahogany] and Grey Ardoise [slate]. Grey Ardoise is so dark that it appears black to me, but the other two are vivid if dark shades.
Utah Leather: This calfhide is put through a hand-graining process that gives it an uneven grain. I haven't seen it up close enough to be able to give a description of the grain, but it seems more subtle than the Epi or the Taïga.
Bag designs, classic and hot
Abelia: This pretty bag is from the 2004 Cruise collection. It flares outward at the bottom, with the top being closed by wooden slats. There is an outside pocket with a small bow on it. I've only seen it in white Multicolore Satin.
Ellipse: Actually more of a trapezoid with a curve on top, this bag has an elegant, sculpted appearance. It's also available as a backpack.
Kathleen: Another item from the 2004 Cruise collection, the Kathleen is a fairly simple, square city bag in pink or green Monogram mini with bright pink or green leather accents and a zippered outside pocket.
Mary Kate: There are actually two designs: the bag and the Mary Kate Case. The bag is essentially a satchel, with its rectangular shape, two outside pockets, and shoulder strap, but it comes in pink or green Monogram Mini with leather accents of the darker shade in the canvas. The Mary Kate Case (or Trousse Mary Kate) is a small clutch with the same style accents and in the same colors.
Noé: This drawstring-pouch bag is one of the long-time favorites of the Louis Vuitton line, coming in many colors, materials, and sizes. According to the Louis Vuitton site, it was originally designed for carrying champaign bottles.
Speedy 30 in White Multicolore: You must have Jessica Simpson's bag? Here it is!
Theda: This unusual bag has drawstring gathers on the sides and a decorative buckle closure going over the middle. This is one bag that will have people taking a second look! It comes in a variety of Monogram materials.
Miscellaneous bags: Women's and men's.
Shoes See our conversion charts to find your Japanese size.
Accessories
General Searches
LV 1, LV 2, LV 3, and of course, the BIG one!
So now you can help Louis Vuitton celebrate its anniversary by getting yourself a part of the LV collection. Happy shopping to all and see you next month!
Suggestions? Comments? [*gulp*] Corrections? E-mail me at uriko@rinkya.com and tell me about them. Have a page about Louis Vuitton, designer fashion, or a related topic? You can make money by linking to this page via the Rinkya Referral Program! Want to receive announcements of the latest Rinkya Links Newsletter by e-mail? Join the Rinkya Mailing List! |
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