Louis Vuitton Antigua
The Louis Vuitton Antigua range takes us on a step or two from the Suhali range, in a way.
Now, I don't mean that there is a connection between the new Louis Vuitton Antigua range and the Suhali range - apart from the obvious one of they both come from Louis Vuitton.
No, what I mean is that the impression of the range you draw from it's name, without even necessarily seeing it, is the same impression you get from the new LV Antigua range.
For those who may not be aware of it, Antigua is one of the islands in the Caribbean - a popular holiday destination and an island filled with sandy beaches, rum punch and a large dollop of "laid back" attitude.
And the new range from LV continues this impression of laid back relaxation. It is quite unlike anything they've produced before and is a welcome step - a totally new design and look.
Currently in the Louis Vuitton Antigua range we have:-
- Antigua Cabas PM - 9" wide by 2.3" deep and 8.5" high - $500
- Antigua Cabas MM - 11.8" wide by 3.8" deep and 11.6" high - $640
- Antigua Cabas GM - 16.5" wide by 3.7" deep and 14.1" high - $715
- Antigua Sac Week-end - 29.1" wide by 10.6" deep and 10.6" high - $925
- Antigua Besace PM - 13.8" wide by 4.5" deep and 7.8" high - $715and the little known
- Antigua Cup Sac Weekend - a version to augment the Cup 2000 range
Each bag in the range shares the more common features with the only real differences being the Besace, which has a fold over top flap, resembling more of a satchel shape than a tote bag.
Each bag is made from a supple cotton canvas in red, fawn or white. The interior of every bag is the same style of canvas lining that was re-introduced on the Sac de Nuit range. In this range the canvas lining color matches that of the exterior straps of the bag.
Red bags have purple straps and lining, fawn bags have red straps and lining and white bags have black straps and lining.
Each bag - except the Besace - is a zip top closure with internal patch pocket, exterior golden hardware and the new "Louis Vuitton Inventeur" mounted label on the outside.
Also worthy of note for those looking for the signs when shopping around on ebay - each bag has the top stitching in yellow! (Sort of copying the Cerise line's identifier of red top stitching.)
The Louis Vuitton Antigua range is a really different and appealing range, in my mind. It harks back to a nautical style of build, both from design and material. The name Antigua doesn't harm it there either.
Apart from the Ambre Clear range there hasn't been what I would call a utility range within LV, a range of bags that you have no qualms about actually using and using heavily. Until now.
I can easily imagine seeing a number of these bags dotted up and down the sandy expanses over the next few months, cheerfully laden with all the bits and pieces we seem to need to keep ourselves oiled and pampered whilst sunning the day away.
The price point for these bags also encourages a new level of user to try a Louis Vuitton for the first time.
As far as high end designer utility bags go - I think the new Louis Vuitton Antigua range is going to be a hugely successful addition to the stable.
Now, where the hell did I put that sun tan lotion!