LOUIS VUITTON SPEEDY BAG – ICON OF SPEED AND LIGHT

The definition of “speed” for a fashion enthusiast may well be the classic Speedy bag, recently revitalized by Pharrell Williams.

The 1930s marked a dramatic change in urban life with the explosive emergence of automobiles. Under the sun of that fast-paced era, Gaston-Louis Vuitton captured the essence of modernity with the first Speedy bag, once known as the “Express.”

In the world of fashion, the year 1959 witnessed a historic milestone as Speedy bags adorned in Monogram Canvas became iconic. Like a trailblazer leading street trends, the bag quickly sparked a frenzy that transcended French borders. By 1965, when it caught the eye of actress Audrey Hepburn, Louis Vuitton’s creativity became immortal. Tailoring to her slender figure, the star of “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” (1961) commissioned Henry-Louis Vuitton to design a smaller Speedy bag to accompany her on her journeys. The size 25, tailored for the starlet of that era, remains the most beloved version to this day.

In Spring-Summer 2024, the Speedy makes a comeback with enhancements and vibrant color palettes reflecting the bustling life of Canal Street in Lower Manhattan (New York). The classic Speedy bag is rejuvenated with Damier Pop Canvas material. Additionally, there’s the Speedy P9, a bag that gathers tactile sensations crafted from premium soft calf leather. The Monogram pattern on the Speedy P9 resembles visual artwork, utilizing advanced silk printing techniques to create a Sergé effect on the iconic Monogram flowers as if hand-drawn. The bag’s soft, lightweight structure gracefully adapts whether carried by hand or worn over the shoulder. Louis Vuitton continuously provides euphoric experiences for sophisticated souls on the move.

The structure and finishing of the Speedy bag are a perfect example of meticulous craftsmanship and sophistication in even the smallest details.

In Pharrell Williams’ debut collection as Creative Director of Menswear, alongside various colorful and sized Speedy bags, he also presents the most expensive Speedy design to date: the Millionaires Speedy 40 – a masterpiece symbolizing the first collaboration between Louis Vuitton’s workshops, including those for rare precious leather, high-end jewelry, and trunks. A bright gold hue, akin to sunlight – the enduring inspiration of the collection, sets the tone. Premium crocodile leather meticulously processed takes over 65 hours for hand-painted Monogram patterns, establishing an extraordinary savoir-faire standard. The entire metal part of the bag, including the zipper, is made of 18K gold. Each detail is crafted, polished, and engraved by master jewelers. Named Millionaires Speedy 40, the “millionaire” bag also boasts a lock embedded with an 8,634-carat diamond. The name Millionaires Speedy not only stems from the exorbitant price of the bag but also recalls the first collaboration between Pharrell Williams and Louis Vuitton in 2004 for the Millionaires Sunglasses model.