Louis Vuitton City Bags: A Natural History

Louis Vuitton's women's bags, the most coveted line of accessories in women's fashion, are the focus of this unprecedented history. At the heart of Louis Vuitton are its City Bags, a range of women's bags dating back to the turn of the twentieth century. The City Bag story began with the Steamer, a resort bag designed in 1901 to be packed inside a much larger steamer trunk, and these bags have since formally diversified into a dizzying array of handbags for every conceivable function demanded by the modern woman.

Featuring the trademark monograms of the house, the City Bags are now known to millions by their descriptive names (Keepall, Bucket, Papillon, Alma, Locket, Noe, Speedy) and are still evolving into more fantastical forms. Profoundly influential, these bags have become a cultural phenomenon, as evidenced by the lavish illustration of new and archival photography, historical graphics, landmark editorials, and ad campaigns within this volume.

The history of these specific bag families is traced, from the earliest specimens to today's most sought-after collectibles. The book also examines Louis Vuitton's collaborations with renowned artists and designers, including Takashi Murakami, Stephen Sprouse, Richard Prince, Yayoi Kusama, and Rei Kawakubo, as well as one-off projects by Zaha Hadid, Shigeru Ban, Vivienne Westwood, Helmut Lang, Andrée Putman, and Marc Jacobs.

Louis Vuitton: City Bags is an ambitious volume that delves deep into the creation and cultivation of these iconic handbags. The book's comprehensive and visually-stunning approach offers readers a unique insight into the evolution of the City Bag line, from its humble beginnings as a resort bag to its current status as a highly coveted and ever-changing symbol of fashion and luxury.

Through this volume, the reader is able to trace the remarkable journey of the City Bags, witnessing their transformation from practical travel companions to the most sought-after accessories in the world of fashion. The book's meticulous attention to detail and rich visual elements bring the history of these bags to life, making it an essential read for anyone interested in the cultural significance and design evolution of one of the world's most prestigious luxury brands.

product information: