Handbag of the week: Louis Vuitton - Stephen Sprouse

Monogram graffiti Speedy bag, £380 from the Louis Vuitton - Stephen Sprouse collection

Louis Vuitton’s iconic LV monogram has been given a major makeover in their latest collaboration.  The ‘80s Day Glo punk aesthetic seen on everything from the Monogram graffiti bag (left) to basketball boots and wrap around sunglasses is in homage to the late graffiti artist/fashion designer, Stephen Sprouse.
Sprouse collaborated with Marc Jacobs on Louis Vuitton’s spring/summer collection in 2001.  His unmistakable graffiti signature print, along with the rose emblem, adorned Vuitton bags and ready to wear pieces, highlighting then Sprouse’s visionary mix of downtown streetwear with uptown high fashion that he had become renowned for in the ‘70s and ‘80s. 

  The ready-to-wear collectionThat familiar scrawl and luminous bud are back.  Jacob’s reasons for revisiting his, and Vuitton’s allegiance with Sprouse have not changed since he initially asked the artist to collaborate in 2001.  It’s a ‘defiant act, a rebellious act, an anarchic act (to deface the monogram), but also something that creates a new surface and a new meaning with something old’. 

We love the new look Louis and are convinced it will be equally as popular as the original cult collector’s status Vuitton-Spouse collaboration.

The Louis Vuitton – Stephen Sprouse collection goes into stores on January 15.

News and pics from the Louis Vuitton - Stephen Sprouse launch party in New York

www.welovestephensprouse.com