Who's teaming up with Louis Vuitton??

Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby, the duo who designed the London 2012 Olympic torch, have collaborated with Louis Vuitton to create a unique, eco-friendly bell lamp suitable for the most fashionable of travellers.

Award-winning industrial designers Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby, better known as BarberOsgerby, are one of 11 design studios to have fashioned one-off pieces for the storied French fashion house's Objets Nomades collection. The collection consists of 16 contemporary interiors objects that could also be taken travelling by their stylish owner.

The Olympic torch creators chose to reimagine a classic bell lamp, forming it of Venetian Murano glass and giving it the ability to recharge by sunlight. Their method, they say, was "reductive, hence the simplicity of form."

"We began with the idea, then the function," Edward Barber said. "First came an exploration of the technological possibilities to ensure that the lamp was both portable and sustainable. Ease of carriage and the way the lamp's solar and lighting technology work informed the shape."

BURBERRY falling Down!!

Indeed... The market is changing, and so are the market players!

Luxury goods maker Burberry shocked the markets on Wednesday with a warning that sales had stalled in the clearest sign yet that slowing demand from China is having an impact on the booming sector.

The profit warning wiped £1bn off Burberry's market value, sending shares in the 156-year-old fashion house down nearly 21% to £10.87. Following disappointment from Coach and Ralph Lauren in recent weeks, this is the first major disappointment for European luxury brands, analysts said. The shine has also come off sales at New York-based jeweller Tiffany, with Europeans and Asians buying fewer $65,000 (£40,000) diamond necklaces and $10,000 amethyst earrings.

Experts predict the global slowdown will prompt the rise of more affordable luxury lines and lead to Chinese shoppers becoming more discerning in what they buy.

Burberry, known for its trademark camel, red and black check, said like-for-like sales ground to a halt in the 10 weeks to 8 September and have started to fall in recent weeks. Total sales including new space were up 6%. It warned that profits before tax for the year to March 2013 would be at the lower end of City expectations, which ranged from £407m to £455m.

Burberry's chief executive Angela Ahrendts said: "As we stated in July, the external environment is becoming more challenging."

Sales of luxury goods in China tripled in value in the last five years, according to Euromonitor International. Its burgeoning middle classes have become key clientele for Burberry and other international luxury brands including France's LVMH, Hermes and Gucci owner PPR, splurging on western designer fashion and handbags.

Who is Louis Vuitton Collaborating with??

Overlooked for years by the art establishment, 83-year-old Yayoi Kusama's dotty vision is finally being recognised - and is at the heart of a major collaboration with Louis Vuitton.

 Dots are a recurring theme in Yayoi Kusama's art, a visual representation of the hallucinations and anxiety attacks she has suffered from since childhood, so the show is dominated by giant red polka-dotted spheres, and a disorienting room in which huge white fiberglass tulips are covered in red dots - as are the white walls, ceiling and floor.

Since taking charge of the luxury fashion house Louis Vuitton in 1997, Jacobs - a keen art collector - has initiated collaborations with several contemporary artists, from Richard Prince to Takashi Murakami. But the partnership with Kusama, to be launched this month, has produced the most varied collection of products so far.

For the Vuitton collaboration, Yayoi Kusama's polka dots and the nerves pattern are featured on wallets, bags, sunglasses, scarves, bikinis and beach towels and clothes, the first of which are due in store this month. My favorites are a pair of red patent polka-dot heels that look as though they could be owned by Minnie Mouse, and a gorgeously soft, transparent mac covered in black dots.

'I've been active in many different spheres of the arts, whether it be writing novels, creating fashion or pure art by itself. What I would like to put across through all of my art is, I suppose, questions of what human life is, what humans are about, what the earth is about, what the universe is about. And the single message is, really, "love forever".'

It is these two words that adorn much of the merchandise for sale, and if that seems trite we should remind ourselves that Kusama lived through a devastating war and saw nuclear bombs wipe out two Japanese cities. For her it is no mere slogan: it is a message she has spent her life communicating, a struggle that has come at great personal cost. 'Love is the most important thing,' she says. 'Peace is a very important part, but if you wanted to sum it all up in one word, that word would be love.'

The Louis Vuitton/Yayoi Kusama collaboration will be in Louis Vuitton stores from Tuesday. A pop-up store will open in Selfridges, London, on August 24

UK officially the most Designer Handbag CRAZY country

Britons are the most voracious online seekers of luxury bags as new research reveals the most searched handbag labels in the world.

Research carried out by the World Luxury Index™ showed that Britons accounted for 422 searches per 1000 internet users of most searched-for handbag brands, with home-grown label Mulberry as the most popular brand of choice.

The company examined over 130 brands, through 130 million searches across eight countries with American luggage label Coach coming out top. Mulberry came in eighth in a top 10 which features luxury heavyweights, Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Hermès.

The iconic Hermès Birkin is the most searched for model across all markets, with crocodile most sought after in the US, UK and France. Research also showed that Americans prefer their Birkin in orange, while Britons favour tan and the French, black.

The US also has the largest share of searches for Chanel's classic 2.55 style which is toted by Kate Moss, Diane Kruger and Linda Evangelista.

The study also noted that in Japan, consumers have somewhat fallen out of love with Louis Vuitton goods. The brand is ranked ninth in Japan - making it the only country where it does not rank in the top five.

The top 10 most searched luxury handbags globally:

1. Coach 

2. Louis Vuitton 

3. Chanel 

4. Gucci 

5. Longchamp 

6. Prada 

7. Hermès 

8. Mulberry 

9. Marc Jacobs 

10. Michael Kors

Louis Vuitton Dismissed!!

French luggage brand Louis Vuitton has had its complaint against Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. over the use of counterfeit luggage in 'The Hangover Part II' dismissed by a federal judge in New York.

Left: Zach Galifianakis as Alan, toting the fake Louis Vuitton luggage in The Hangover Part II Photo: WATNER BROS

Luxury fashion giants Hermès and Burberry have recently experienced triumphs in their fight against counterfeit goods  but Louis Vuitton hasn't been so lucky.

The French luggage maker has had its complaint against Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. over the use of counterfeit luggage in The Hangover Part II dismissed by a federal judge in New York.

In the hit comedy, Zach Galifianakis's eccentric character Alan totes a Louis Vuitton-esque monogrammed duffle bag patterned with the letters LVM rather than LV, and says to his co-star: "Careful, that is a Louis Vuitton" - while mispronouncing the brand.

Vuitton pleaded with Warner Bros. not to use the fake bags produced by Diophy, a group of U.S. and Chinese companies who specialise in copies.

WWD report that Judge Carter was not convinced that the bags used in the scene caused consumer confusion, writing: "Louis Vuitton is trying to have it both ways: arguing that the Diophy bags are so similar as to create consumer confusion but at the same time so obviously dissimilar that someone watching the film would notice the slightly different symbols used on the Diophy bag."

He added that the bag only appears on screen for a few seconds and isn't the main focus of the scene. Vuitton, who were seeking profits from the film (which grossed around $580 million), triple damages and the destruction of all promotional materials which show the airport scene with the counterfeit bag, were not awarded anything.

"We are deeply disappointed in the court's decision," the French company said. "We remain committed to protecting our brand, and will remain vigilant in our efforts to prevent inappropriate and misleading use of our trademark for the benefit of our customers."

Muhammad Ali joins Louis Vuitton's Core Values Campaign

FG10 is simply love-love-loving this!!! Louis Vuitton unveils "The Greatest" Core Values campaign to date, starring boxing legend Muhammad Ali.

'Some stars show you the way': Muhammad Ali in Louis Vuitton's latest Core Values campaign. Photo: Louis Vuitton/ Annie Leibovitz

Following in the footsteps of Angelina Jolie, three-time world heavyweight boxing champion, Muhammad Ali has been revealed as the latest star of Louis Vuitton's 'Core Values' campaign.

Ali, who was crowned 'Sportsman of the Century' by Sports Illustrated in 1999, was photographed by Annie Leibovitz at his home in Arizona, watching one of his grandsons who wears a pair of boxing gloves. The tagline reads: "Some stars show you the way. Muhammad Ali and a rising star. Phoenix, Arizona."

Ali, now 70, defeated every top heavyweight in his era, which is widely regarded as the golden age of heavyweight boxing. He was involved in some of the greatest bouts in boxing history, including the "Fight of the Century" against arch rival Joe Frazier at Madison Square Garden in 1971, and the "Rumble in the Jungle" in Zaire in 1974, when he regained his world title from George Foreman.

His unorthodox boxing style - which he famously described as "float[ing] like a butterfly, sting[ing] like a bee" - brought unprecedented grace and speed to the heavyweight category.

Since retiring from the sport in 1981, Ali has remained an active public figure, as both a humanitarian and an outspoken political campaigner, despite being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1984.

"Muhammad Ali is the epitome of an outstanding personality - a true living legend in boxing and far beyond," Yves Carcelle, Chairman and CEO of Louis Vuitton, said in a statement.

'We are honoured that he agreed to be photographed for the Core Values campaign, and delighted with the way this beautiful portrait of the champion and his grandson captures the idea of transmission, which is of great significance to Louis Vuitton."

Core Values celebrates Vuitton's timeless classics in real situations on 'real' people - meaning celebrities rather than models - and runs alongside their seasonal 'fashion' campaigns.

The most recent campaign images feature Angelina Jolie reclining on a wooden boat in Cambodia - the country she fell in love with, and adopted her son Maddox from, after filming of Lara Croft: Tomb Raider there in 2000.

Men's Fashion: Launch of new Louis Vuitton men's line - Damier Infini

Damier Infini is a new leather permanent signature for men. 

and we are in LOVE!!

It embodies the subtle interpretation of the Louis Vuitton heritage 

in a decisively contemporary style:

 for the first time, the Vuitton signature designs comes in soft, masculine leather. 
This new line is based on an exceptional leather selected from the finest taurillon skins 

and pays homage to the first motif created by Louis Vuitton in 1888. 
Damier Infini is a stunning demonstration of Louis Vuitton's craftsmanship with its embossing process requiring expert skill. 

Each style of the collection is the perfect companion for contemporary urban men. 

The discreet signature and softness of the leather is synonymous with a relaxed, elegant style from business to casual. 
Damier Infini line completes perfectly the Men Universe and will evolve with new styles 

and colours all through the seasons.

80s Inspired Shoot- Vogue Paris

It's all 80s for Vogue Paris October issue featuring model Joan Smalls. Wearing statement jackets and gorgeous accessories Joan walks the streets looking like she came right out of the 80s. Stylist Marie Chaix dressed the model in colour blocks and metallics from designers Balmain, Alexander Wang, Michael Kors, Louis Vuitton, Celine, Calvin Klein and more.

images sourced from frontrowview

10 Magazine Goes Cartoon

Editor of 10 magazine Sophia Neophitou teams up with pop artist Barry Reigate for a fun shoot featuring model Marike Le Roux. Wearing designs from Louis Vuitton the original shoot is transformed into a clowny smiley shoot.

images sourced from frontrowview