After it was founded in 1854, Louis Vuitton swiftly cemented its place as the last word in luggage. However, it’s with handbags that the Parisian maison has really captivated generations of consumers. Thanks to timeless designs like the Neverfull, the Noé, the Keepall, the Alma, the Sac Plat and the Petite Malle, LV is a constant in the world of It-bags.
Among the brand’s many instantly recognizable styles, the Speedy is perhaps the most coveted. The classic top-handle is also back in the limelight after Louis Vuitton appointed Pharrell as its creative director of menswear, who duly gave the familiar piece an ultra-luxe makeover. Pharrell has been spotted carrying a yellow crocodile Speedy – complete with real gold chunky chain and diamond-encrusted padlock – from his debut collection worth a reported $1million (it was immediately dubbed “the Millionaire” by the internet).
But of course, the Speedy pre-dates the era of celebrity creative directors taking the helm at heritage brands.
In 1854, Louis Vuitton opened his first shop in Paris. After his passing in 1892, his son Georges took the helm, introducing the iconic LV monogram. The brand caught the attention of Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, and fashion lore has it that she commissioned a custom version of the brand’s Steamer bag in 1925, one designed for everyday use rather than traveling. It ultimately became the Squire, the creation of Georges’ son, Gaston-Louis Vuitton, which went into mass production with Chanel’s blessing in 1934 and was later renamed the Alma. It quickly became one of Louis Vuitton’s most popular pieces. The success of the Alma informed the brand’s decision to diversify its product range by introducing smaller luxury goods, ultimately leading to the creation of the Speedy bag.
Inspired by the travel revolution and increasingly fast-paced lifestyle of the early part of the 20th century, the Speedy made its debut in 1930 under the name the Express. Perfectly suited to the needs of city-dwellers, initially the Speedy was available in a 30cm size, a more practical alternative to other, more capacious Vuitton designs of that time. As demand grew, the brand expanded the range, introducing 35cm and 40cm versions. During the 1960s, Audrey Hepburn made a special request for a smaller version of the bag, resulting in the exclusive creation of the Speedy 25. Hepburn’s petite 25cm style became a hit, and retains its trophy bag status to this day. Now, the Speedy comes in an assortment of iterations, and is permanently in demand on the resale market as vintage fashion becomes ever more popular.
For all the latest fasion News Click Here
