Boston Common - Niche Media - A side of Boston that's anything but common.
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/209310
STYLE NICHE Real Simple LOUIS VUITTON'S LATEST TRAVEL-INSPIRED COLLECTION IS A BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL ANTIDOTE TO THE SEASON'S CHILL. E very day is Louis Vuitton day for collector Christina Pierce of the Back Bay. Weekdays could call for the Alma bag ("Classic, patent, and virtually indestructible," she says), while weekends might warrant the Trevi style ("You can really feel the Marc Jacobs inspiration"). But that could all change with the newest offerings from the legendary fashion house. For the truly devoted Louis Vuitton fanatic, the latest trove of luxury apparel and handbags provides a fantastic opportunity to add a bit of magic to a personal collection. Louis Vuitton's latest Icons collection is informed by designer and architect Charlotte Perriand's beautifully basic vision. A gingham suit, a striking cloak, an exquisitely constructed striped sheath, a delightfully simple leather motorcycle jacket: Each of the line's pieces is playful and chic—and a masterpiece in its own right. More important, though, when assembled together they cover all the facets of the well-lived life, as identified by Perriand: work, leisure, discovery, and representation. Known for her iconic Nuage nesting shelves and her collaborations with Le Corbusier on the famous B306 chaise lounge, Perriand became fascinated with the concept of functional fashion during a 1940 visit to Japan. While there she created a wardrobe for herself based on the very principles of modular design that guided her body of work. Four skirts and four blouses yielded 16 possible outfits in a uniform style that could suit any occasion or need. Perriand's system was anything but monotonous. "By adding scarves, stoles, atypical jewels, and gloves, I achieved wide variety with a great deal of surprise and fantasy—always similar but never the same," she said. To many, the line's gorgeous handbags are the main course. Thanks to bright tones that recall the bold colors of the Nuage shelves and innovative design features (a convertible tote can function as a clutch) that evoke Perriand's aesthetic, one of fashion's most classic institutions has created something that will forever feel new. For Pierce, a fashion stylist who has hunted down Vuitton treasures in Paris, Nice, and Monaco as well as Boston, the newest additions just reaffirm her dedication. "I am madly in love with anything Louis Vuitton." Louis Vuitton, Copley Place, 617-4376519; louisvuitton.com BC 106 CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Louis Vuitton's new Icon collection is available at Copley Place; Icon pouch, Louis Vuitton ($705); Charlotte Perriand's Nuage nesting shelves and modular design inspired the collection. BOSTONCOMMON-MAGAZINE.COM 106_BC_SS_ShopTheCity_Holiday_13.indd 106 11/1/13 5:51 PM