In the Louis Vuitton Cruise 2022 collection, designer Nicolas Ghesquière plays with the boundaries of space and time. Dubbed the “Space Colony” show, this collection centers around the possibility of future space travel. ‘80s science fiction met Y2K style bag silhouettes and color palettes, all fused with a futuristic space aesthetic. As a result, it was almost impossible to look away while watching.
Photo courtesy of Louis Vuitton.
The bags incorporate contemporary trends, like the chunky chains bag lovers are crazed for at present, as well as retro silhouettes, like the large slouchy hobo style bags which ruled the early ‘00s. In typical LV fashion, a plethora of the house’s classics graced the runway, with a particular focus on Vuitton’s newest classic, the Coussin. In addition, you’ll find colors galore and a new take on the 1854 Monogram.
Photo courtesy of Louis Vuitton.
Traditionally, Cruise collections were designed for a very specific kind of summer wardrobe for those planning on vacationing. However, these days Cruise offerings are not so confined. On a video call from Paris, Ghesquière described the collection as seasonless. We see this in the practicality of the bags and expect many LV lovers will don the designs year-round.
Fashion aficionados can rest assured that any possible future human space colony will be a stylish one if Ghesquière has anything to do with it.
Let’s take a look at the bags!
The Chunky Chain Craze Continues
The chunky chain has inched toward becoming a handbag staple for quite some time now. We saw it on the covetable Bottega Veneta The Chain Pouch, the Fendi First and Louis Vuitton’s popular Coussin bag. And now, Ghesquière has incorporated the hot handbag addition into his newest release of LV bags. Black, white and colorful chunky chains adorn a host of Vuitton’s Cruise 2022 bags, from the new Coussin design, to more established styles, such as the Dauphine, Petite Malle and Twist.
Photo courtesy of Louis Vuitton, accessed via British Vogue website.
At first glance, the heavy chains appear constructed of a stiff material like plexiglass (Vuitton has previously used this for bag handles). However, upon closer inspection, it’s clear that the chain fabrication is much softer. Judging by the wide range of classics, with this new addition, it’s safe to say this trend isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
Photo courtesy of Louis Vuitton, accessed via British Vogue website.
The 1854 Monogram Gets A New Shade
We first saw Louis Vuitton’s 1854 Monogram in the house’s Fall 2020 collection in only dark khaki and black. It reappeared in Louis Vuitton’s ‘Since 1854’ collection in navy, red and black shades. But the pattern has yet to reach anywhere near the level of popularity that the house’s classic LV Monogram enjoys.
Now, in this collection, LV used the 1854 Monogram on a plethora of bags. Plus there was a new colorway: white and gray, akin to that of the popular Damier Azur. Perhaps this is a sign that Ghesquière is eager to assimilate the pattern into Vuitton’s cohort of classic prints.
Bags in this Monogram are adorned with leather trims in lively colors as well as Vuitton’s classic tan color.
Photo courtesy of Louis Vuitton, accessed via British Vogue website.
Y2K Slouchy Hobo Bags Are Back
The Fall 2021 runways affirmed the return of big bags and Y2K styles. So the continuation of the large slouchy hobo style popular during the early ‘00s doesn’t exactly come as a surprise. But that doesn’t mean we’re any less excited about it! Models hand carried large ultra relaxed hobo bags. One model wore the style crossbody, though it looks like the strap is suitable for shoulder carry as well. The belt style straps feature prominent buckles – can you get anymore Y2K than that?!
Photo courtesy of Louis Vuitton, accessed via British Vogue website.
This slouchy style is reminiscent of the popular early ‘00s Vuitton hobo bags which often featured Mahina leather (leather perforated with the Monogram pattern). In lieu of the push-lock opening often found on this style of bag two decades ago, Ghesquière’s new design features a long leather tab closure. Staying true to the Y2K aesthetic, the hobo style bags feature Monogram print, some in the new lighter version of the 1854 Monogram and some in the original LV pattern. The designs are finished with prominent stamps of enlarged, colorful Monogram motifs with VUITTON lettering. There’s no missing that these bags are Louis Vuitton!
Photo courtesy of Louis Vuitton, accessed via British Vogue website.
Photo courtesy of Filippo Fior / Gorunway.
The collection also includes small croissant shaped bags, another classic Y2K style. This design features a long shoulder strap and shorter chain carry option and appears in both the 1854 and classic Monogram patterns.
Photo courtesy of Louis Vuitton, accessed via British Vogue website.
Patchwork Popularity
Playful checkered patchwork patterns graced LV’s Cruise 2022 runway in the form of many bags. The Twist, Dauphine and hobo style designs all appear in patchwork prints. Some feature a colorful variation of varying pink, blue and green shades. Others appear in a more monochrome finish with black, white, gray and silver shades. The large slouchy hobo design was spotted on the runway in both colorways, conjuring images of a large patchwork quilt turned into a handheld accessory.
Photo courtesy of Louis Vuitton, accessed via British Vogue website.
Photo courtesy of Louis Vuitton, accessed via British Vogue website.
Photo courtesy of Filippo Fior / Gorunway.
Photo courtesy of Filippo Fior / Gorunway.
Colors On-Trend
Louis Vuitton’s Cruise 2022 colors are totally on-trend and bordering on psychedelic. From the bubblegum pink, acid yellow and sky blue shades on the leather trim of Monogram designs, to the rich magenta and emerald green Coussin bags, the colors were TDF. The collection’s futuristic space travel theme complete with retro throwbacks suits this imaginative color palette.
Photo courtesy of Louis Vuitton, accessed via British Vogue website.
Photo courtesy of Louis Vuitton, accessed via British Vogue website.
Photo courtesy of Filippo Fior / Gorunway.
The Coussin Is Officially An LV Classic
Louis Vuitton’s Coussin burst onto the fashion scene for the house’s Spring 2021 collection. Instantly the fashion world was hooked. Since then, this bag has starred on the Instagram feed of just about every influencer you can imagine and popped up in a new Pochette variation for Pre-Fall 2021. And it looks like the style’s domination of the handbag scene is only just beginning.
The Coussin appears in the new Cruise 2022 collection in assorted colors, along older styles like the Petite Malle, Dauphine and Twist bags. One standout design is black with white Monogram motifs, a heavy red chain, and matte black hardware.
Photo courtesy of Louis Vuitton, accessed via British Vogue website.
What do you think of the bags from Louis Vuitton’s new Cruise 2022 collection? Glad about big and slouchy? Or bold and bright? Let us know.
Love, PurseBop
XO
Updated: June 16th, 2021
Comments