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Louis Vuitton’s Fall Winter 2010/2011 collection was beyond words in its glamor, elegance, and beauty. In fact, there is no way to properly give justice to the ladylike functionality implemented into each design. Marc Jacobs is pure genius.

Louis Vuitton Advertising campaigns never let me down either. The creative vision of the Louis Vuitton Fall Winter 2010/2011 campaign feels like a fairytale world of luxurious perfection. I am entirely envious of the women in these photos, they appear as if they have fascinating stories to tell. How could I leave out the ladylike Cuir Cinema bag that immediately catches one’s attention? The soft rose color on the structured calf leather bag flows seamlessly in the photo [$4450 via Louis Vuitton September 1st].

Talented artist Kathryn Elyse of PaperFashion illustrated this campaign photo in two different finishes. Both are simply stunning and match perfectly with the feminine timeless appeal of the collection.

Original post by Megs Mahoney Dusil

In case you had forgotten that the end of summer is generally a bit of a slow news period in fashion, we’re here to remind you! The New York Daily News (with some help from Fashionista.com) counted down the most powerful global luxury brands of 2010 this spring, and although we didn’t have a chance to post about it back then, we do now. Consulting firm Millward Brown Optimor comes out with this list every year, and the brands staking claim to the top spots in the middle of a bad economy for luxury likely won’t surprise handbag aficionados.

Even though the industry as a whole is down about 3%, number one-ranked Louis Vuitton has still managed to grow its worth by 2% to nearly $20 billion, which appears to refer to just the brand and not the entirety of the LVMH conglomerate. Hermes, meanwhile, comes in at number two and has grown by 8% to almost $8.5 billion. Rounding out the top three, Gucci is up 2% with a little over $7.5 billion. What do all three brands have in common? None of them are bolstered by the high-margin cosmetics market (although Hermes and Gucci both have fragrance lines) and all three are most famous for their handbags and leather goods.

Two other brands with large presences in the handbag market also make the list: Chanel and Fendi, at number four and number nine, respectively. Both have lost value as companies in the past year (Is Karl Lagerfeld losing his touch? That’s another post entirely), but they’re still doing better than almost all of their competition. The article in the Daily News doesn’t make mention of the brands’ power in the handbag market, but the common thread seems hard to ignore.

Handbags have higher margins and are more widely marketable than a dress or even a shoe because they’re perceived (and rightfully so) as having a larger number of practical uses and a more durable, long-lasting nature. But it’s worth remembering: the money you spend on bags is making the people who design them extremely wealthy and powerful. At the very least, you should be getting a well-made bag and a great shopping experience in return. If you’re not, vote with your dollars. Who would be on your personal power list?

See the full list via the New York Daily News.

Original post by Amanda Mull

In case you had forgotten that the end of summer is generally a bit of a slow news period in fashion, we’re here to remind you! The New York Daily News (with some help from Fashionista.com) counted down the most powerful global luxury brands of 2010 this spring, and although we didn’t have a chance to post about it back then, we do now. Consulting firm Millward Brown Optimor comes out with this list every year, and the brands staking claim to the top spots in the middle of a bad economy for luxury likely won’t surprise handbag aficionados.

Even though the industry as a whole is down about 3%, number one-ranked Louis Vuitton has still managed to grow its worth by 2% to nearly $20 billion, which appears to refer to just the brand and not the entirety of the LVMH conglomerate. Hermes, meanwhile, comes in at number two and has grown by 8% to almost $8.5 billion. Rounding out the top three, Gucci is up 2% with a little over $7.5 billion. What do all three brands have in common? None of them are bolstered by the high-margin cosmetics market (although Hermes and Gucci both have fragrance lines) and all three are most famous for their handbags and leather goods.

Two other brands with large presences in the handbag market also make the list: Chanel and Fendi, at number four and number nine, respectively. Both have lost value as companies in the past year (Is Karl Lagerfeld losing his touch? That’s another post entirely), but they’re still doing better than almost all of their competition. The article in the Daily News doesn’t make mention of the brands’ power in the handbag market, but the common thread seems hard to ignore.

Handbags have higher margins and are more widely marketable than a dress or even a shoe because they’re perceived (and rightfully so) as having a larger number of practical uses and a more durable, long-lasting nature. But it’s worth remembering: the money you spend on bags is making the people who design them extremely wealthy and powerful. At the very least, you should be getting a well-made bag and a great shopping experience in return. If you’re not, vote with your dollars. Who would be on your personal power list?

See the full list via the New York Daily News.

Original post by Amanda Mull

Louis Vuitton may not be known for their small array of exotic handbags, but they should not be ignored. One of the most exciting parts of visiting our favorite Louis Vuitton boutique at the Bal Harbour shops in Miami is seeing what exotic bags they have on display. I have never owned one but I have always coveted them. And why wouldn’t I? Some of the most classic Louis Vuitton designs are re-vamped in exotic skin touches, adding an extra level of allure and luxury.

Right now the Louis Vuitton Python Artsy is luring me. Available in both gris and noir, the Artsy is a double threat because of its classic hobo shape and design.

When it comes to python skin, I prefer a monotone color rather than the natural look. It helps let the design speak for itself versus the skin trying to speak for the bag. Python skin is not everyone’s favorite exotic, and that is completely understandable. But Louis Vuitton uses a very high end skin that feels both durable and luxurious.

While the Louis Vuitton monogram at times is too logo-y for many, it is perfect on the Artsy. The iconic logo is stamped into the bag, which adds dimensionality with a classic touch. The only aspect I am concerned with is how long the shoulder drop is. A major pet peeve of mine is a bag that sits too snug on my shoulder, so I hope that the shoulder drop gives ample room. Buy via Louis Vuitton for $8550.

Original post by Megs Mahoney Dusil

As I continue to read the endless Twitter details of all my friends’ summer vacations (and then see the inescapable pictures on Facebook afterward), I can’t help but turn my attentions to travel. I still make due with the same black Samsonsite suitcase that accompanied me on my first jaunts to New York City, Boston and Chicago as a teenager, but surely there are more interesting (and expensive) options out there for a traveler who wants the best suitcase on the luggage carousel.

With that curiosity in mind, we’ve picked some options for your perusal from Louis Vuitton to Bottega Veneta, spanning a price range from $500 to $50,000 (yes, that’s the correct number of zeros) for a suitcase. Let us know which one you like best and what your current luggage of choice in the comments.

The Louis Vuitton Pégase 55 is probably one of the more well-known luxury suitcases on today’s market, and Vuitton is one of the first brands that customers think of when designer luggage is mentioned. Many people opt for the less expensive monogram canvas, but that has always struck me as a sure way to get your luggage snatched at the airport. The more discreet Epi leather version would be my personal choice. Buy through Vuitton.com for $3230.

Whether you love or hate Prada nylon, you have to admit that the material is a fairly sensible travel choice. The Prada Nylon Wheel-Away Trolley Case is probably too expensive when compared to most nylon (or leather) luggage, but if you want the logo and have the extra cash, Prada is more than willing to provide it. Buy through Neiman Marcus for $2035.

The Tumi Medium Trip Packing Case maybe not be a “designer” suitcase in the same way that the others on this list are, but I think that the brand and this type of luggage are worthy of a mention. On my first-ever plane ride when I was a kid, I remember seeing a guy with a briefcase made out of this material and thinking that it was the coolest and most awesome thing I had every seen. The material makes the suitcase look like it contains nuclear secrets, even if the only thing inside is your sweatpants. Buy through Saks for $495.

For a logo-covered suitcase, the Gucci GG Coated Fabric Trolley is probably as discreet as it gets. Still, I imagine that the same thing would happen to this case as certainly befalls loads of Louis Vuitton luggage every year: mysterious disappearance during baggage handling. Buy through Saks for $2350.

If you’ve ever needed something to justify the cost of a Vuitton leather suitcase, we’ve got just the thing: the Valextra Small Trolley Case. This suitcase, which is small enough to use as a carry-on, will set you back over seven grand. For that, you could have two of the Vuitton Epi suitcases at the top of this list, plus enough left over to buy a handbag. Buy through Barneys for $7450.

And now for something to make the Valextra suitcase seem reasonable: the Bottega Veneta Nero Soft Alligator Suitcase will set you back as much as a new BMW, but your manservant sure will look sharp while carrying it to your private plane. Buy through Bottega Veneta for $53,500.

Original post by Amanda Mull

Not everyone is in a torrid love affair with Louis Vuitton’s seemingly omnipresent monogram, but when the brand’s design minds really hit overdrive, occasionally they find a creative and appropriate use for it that I can’t help but like.

Already a celebrity favorite, the Louis Vuitton Antheia Hobo is clearly one of those occasions when the monogram mania feels oh so right. It doesn’t hurt that the monogram in question is embroidered on top of luscious lambskin, the kind of leather which could make any design fantastic. The choice of tonal thread instead of a contrasting color is the detail that puts this bag over the top for me.

The best part about the monogram embroidery is that it’s not obviously a logo at first glance. The pattern is so intricate and the color match between the thread and leather so close that the initial overall impression is just that of texture, not of obvious branding. Logos are always best when used sparingly and unobtrusively, and that’s exactly what Vuitton managed to do with the Antheia bags. As always, though, the price is somewhat beyond explanation. Buy through Louis Vuitton for $2970.

Original post by Amanda Mull

As most of you already know, Spain won the World Cup title in overtime against Netherlands yesterday in front of a crowd of 88,000 in Johannesburg, South Africa. It marks the country’s first World Cup final win in the history of the tournament, and surely the players couldn’t be more proud to take the trophy back to Spain.

They won’t be taking just the trophy, however. This year, Louis Vuitton designed a special carrying case (complete with a spot for white gloves, natch) to display the trophy and move it around South Africa. Right, because Louis Vuitton monogram is so discreet. One day, I’d like to win something so cool that it requires its own custom Vuitton case.

Photo via Louis Vuitton’s official Twitter page.

Original post by Amanda Mull

Apparently heiress and celebutante Paris Hilton, like, just now heard about this whole World Cup thingy that’s going on over in Africa or wherever. Paris doesn’t appear to understand exactly what the World Cup entails, since she thinks it requires her to bring every piece of Louis Vuitton luggage on the planet (presumably to hold all of her rhinestone-encrusted vuvuzelas), but she’s going anyway. Has anyone told her that the US was already eliminated?

I know that Paris doesn’t seem all that quick on the uptake, so it doesn’t particularly surprise me that it took her over two weeks to figure out that, hey, there’s a world event going on! A lot of cameras are there! It’s sort of like Cannes, but with balls! [Insert Paris Hilton/balls joke here.]

Ok, maybe I’m just jealous. Of her trip to the World Cup AND her Louis Vuitton luggage. And also, her proximity to hot soccer players. Yes, that’s what stings the most.

Picture via Paris’s Twitter account.

Original post by Amanda Mull

I love a good Cruise bag. As much as they are perfectly suited for a cruise itself or if you were vacationing on a yacht in St. Tropez (I wish!!), there is always more use you can get from these bags. Sprucing up your bag choices as the seasons change is a great way to freshen up your look. Many cruise bags offer accents that coincide with a nautical theme. What better way to pick a Cruise Bag then turning to Louis Vuitton?

Welcome the Louis Vuitton Cruise Bulles Bags, offered in blue and natural along with different sizes including MM and PM. Let’s take a look at the Louis Vuitton Cruise Bulles MM first. This bag combines canvas and calf leather with rope accents and gold hardware. Louis Vuitton has a way to not only create staple pieces that people yearn for and love but also collection pieces that give an entirely different look. Both bags from this collection I can imagine pairing with nautical blues, crisp whites, and neutral khaki colors. The canvas body features a monogram overlay which adds a 3D-like touch. Price of the MM is approximately $2080.

Next we have the Louis Vuitton Cruise Bulles PM, which is clearly a much smaller size. The MM looks like a large spacious everyday bag while the PM is more of an smaller shoulder bag. This version features natural canvas also offset by calf leather and gold hardware. Price is approximately $1,200 at Louis Vuitton.

My choice goes to the navy MM. Living in South Florida this bag would get plenty of use. Our Louis Vuitton store of choice is the Bal Harbour shops in North Miami. If you are interested in either of these pieces, call them up and see if they can help you (305.865.5806) or check Louis Vuitton online.

Original post by Megs Mahoney Dusil

I can’t think of many brands with more disparate accessory aesthetics than Louis Vuitton and Lanvin, but that doesn’t mean that the two luxury giants won’t intersect from time to time. While flipping through looks from the recent Resort 2011 presentations in Paris, I was surprised to see that the two brands seem to be on the same page in at least one noticeable way. Larger pictures after the jump.

The Louis Vuitton and Lanvin clutches have different feels, but the way that each one goes about achieving the finished product is markedly similar. Thin strips of multicolored mother of pearl (plus a little metal for good measure) make up both bags; one feels a little 70s, the other, a little 20s. That the results are clearly different demonstrates the creativity of both brands.

Price and release information are not yet available. Photos via Women’s Wear Daily.

Original post by Amanda Mull