The Speedy P9: Pharrell Williams’ LV Vision

A star in the Louis Vuitton heritage archives, the Speedy remains an enduring icon of the French fashion house. First created in 1930 as a modest plain canvas creation, the Speedy underwent an evolution just a year later –  transforming into the iconic LV Monogram style we know and love today. Over time, this timeless handbag has been released in every material imaginable, each iteration a testament to its versatility and lasting appeal. 

Image courtesy: Louis Vuitton

Fast forward to 2024, and the Speedy has witnessed yet another groundbreaking reimagination. Introducing the Speedy P9 Bandoulière, envisioned by none other than Louis Vuitton Men’s Creative Director Pharrell Williams. First unveiled during Pharrell’s debut show for the Men’s Spring-Summer 2024 collection, the Speedy P9 Bandoulière lineup swiftly seized the spotlight. 

Read also: Pharrell’s Debut at Louis Vuitton Men’s 2024 Spring Summer: A Look at the LoVers Bags

The P9 bags, featuring the reimagined Speedy P9 Bandoulière, stole the show, showcasing the ultimate blend of Pharrell’s creativity and Louis Vuitton’s timeless appeal. As we dive into the specifics of this all-new iteration, it becomes evident why the Speedy P9 has taken the fashion world by storm. 

Image courtesy: Louis Vuitton

Pharrell’s Canal Street Inspiration

Pharrell’s vision for the all-new Speedy P9 is rooted in a unique source of inspiration – the bustling streets of Manhattan’s Canal Street, where vendors hawk knockoff designer bags. As one of Louis Vuitton’s most iconic and coveted designs, the Speedy also is one of the most bootlegged styles. Pharrell cites Canal Street as providing him with an “early education in luxury,” and serving as “a cultural axis infused with diverse energy and a relentless hustle mentality.”

Image courtesy: @Iv_collectibles

Paying homage to the candy-colored designer imitations that line Canal Street sidewalks, Pharrell employed a sophisticated silkscreen monogramming process, which adds an intentional ‘blurry’ effect. This technique is a departure from the almost haphazard, hand-painted effect commonly associated with counterfeit bags. Unlike the knockoffs with their careless aesthetics, Pharrell’s approach involves a more controlled method, allowing LV to capture the essence of Canal Street’s culture while infusing Pharrell’s artistic flair into the design.

Image courtesy: Louis Vuitton

Sizing & Pricing 

The Louis Vuitton Speedy P9 comes in three distinct sizes, catering to various preferences. From a chic ‘handbag’ size to a spacious carry-on, each iteration boasts the signature details that define the Speedy. 

Prices for the Louis Vuitton Speedy P9 start at $9,300 for the 25cm sizes and rise to $12,400 for the 50cm.

Speedy P9DimensionsPrice (USD)Price (Euro)Price (GBP)
Speedy Bandoulière 259.8 x 5.9 x 5.9$9,300€7,500£6,850
Speedy Bandoulière 4015.7 x 10.2 x 9.1$11,100€9,000£8,200
Speedy Bandoulière 5019.7 x 12.6 x 11.4$12,400€10,000£9,150

Design Details

Meticulously crafted from soft calfskin leather, the Speedy P9 delivers a uniquely tactile experience that surpasses the traditional canvas Speedy with laid-back luxe appeal. Its supple and pliable texture, responsive to the slightest touch, provides unconventional styling options, with some opting to wear the larger versions as oversized clutches – très chic. The luxury continues inside – the interior, lined with lambskin, features a trio of flat pockets. The bag comes complete with a removable, adjustable Vachetta leather shoulder strap. Pharrell’s attention to detail is evident, elevating the Speedy P9 to the ultimate statement piece.

Image courtesy: Louis Vuitton

Image courtesy: Louis Vuitton

Adding to its appeal, the Speedy P9 is accompanied by a removable matching pouch fashioned from coordinating Monogram leather. This accessory can serve as a standalone clutch or nestle within the main compartment, introducing an additional layer of adaptability to the Speedy P9 collection.

Image courtesy: @jmsilangcruz_md

In true Louis Vuitton fashion, the inclusion of the iconic key and clochette, along with the classic luggage tag, imparts a touch of timeless charm to Pharrell’s Speedy P9. Meanwhile, the luxurious leather body further enhances its overall allure, delivering an unmistakable luxe appeal. 

A Spectrum of Shades

The Spring-Summer 2024 release, now gracing the shelves of boutiques, offers the Speedy P9  in a palette of six distinct colorways. From vibrant yellow and orange to timeless red, blue, green, and classic LV brown – it’s nearly a rainbow of options.

Image courtesy: @mensunochina

Yet, there’s more. Pharrell’s latest runway showcase for the Fall-Winter 2024 collection introduces a myriad of fresh colorways and leathers (more details on this to come) for the already-coveted Speedy P9. This new chapter unfolds with four distinctive variations – turquoise, fuschia pink, camel, and purple. 

Read also: Pharrell Presents LV Men’s F/W 2024 Bags With Cowboy Cool

Image courtesy: @the.webcloud

However, before you get too excited about these captivating colorways, it’s important to bear in mind that these are rumored to be limited-release bags. Speculation has it that they are only available for a limited time, with reports suggesting that once these exclusive hues disappear from the shelves, they may be gone for good. Hype plus limited supply is a recipe for exclusivity and demand for the already coveted Speedy P9 collection.

Image courtesy: @Iv_phantom1817

Exotics Additions to the Speedy P9

The Fall-Winter 2024 runway not only showcased new colorways for the Speedy P9  – but also introduced more exotic options. First up, the Ostrich Speedy P9. Exhibited in three sizes on the runway, the Ostrich variation comes in sizes – 18, 25, and 40, in a carefully curated spectrum of earthy shades – Canyon, Red Rocks, and Cactus – a touch of Pharrell’s Wild West. Prices start at €11,500 for the size 18, reaching  €28,000 for the size 40.

Image courtesy: @the.webcloud

Image courtesy: @the.webcloud

Not special enough? No worries. Under Pharrell, Louis Vuitton offers made-to-order Speedy P9 exotics in the color Rust. Among the various styles in this exclusive lineup is the Speedy P9  25cm, crafted entirely from alligator leather, priced at €35,000. 

Image courtesy: @mattd74

Rodeo Speedy P9

A design reminiscent of the sensational ‘Millionaire Speedy’ from Pharrell’s debut collection, the all-new ‘Rodeo’ Speedy also turned heads. Crafted exclusively on demand, the Rodeo Speedy P9 will come housed in its very own Monogram Eclipse trunk.

Read also: Meet Louis Vuitton’s ‘Millionaire’ Speedy

Available in size 25, this extraordinary creation is not for the limited bank account and is priced at a staggering €230,000. The bigger and bolder 40cm size sells for €250,000.

The true opulence of these bags lies in the meticulous details – a hand-painted Monogram pattern finished with metallic pigments, a process taking a staggering 65 hours to intricately paint. Due to the nature of the crocodile hide, a specialized strengthening technique is applied between the scales to preserve the natural suppleness. As the finishing touch, all hardware on the bag is crafted from genuine silver.

Image courtesy: @mattd74

No doubt die-hard Speedy fans of all genders will find Pharrell’s renditions appealing. And those who previously thought this duffle-like passé may find themselves reversing course and clamoring for the latest designs.

Which camp are you in? Will the Speedy P9 be on your wishlist?

Published: April 3rd, 2024
Updated: April 3rd, 2024

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