• French fashion house repositioning themselves as exclusive brand

  • Launched Capucine leather handbags in June

  • Michelle Williams was face of campaign

  • Angelina Jolie has been seen with the £3,000 bag

  • Louis Vuitton boutiques across Europe have reported shortages

  • All have long waiting-lists with stock not expected till October


By Sean Poulter[1]


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If you want to know what the latest ‘It Bag’ is, the one on Angelina Jolie’s arm is usually a pretty good place to start. At the moment that’s Louis Vuitton’s Capucines handbag, which is selling out across Europe as fashionistas flock to get their hands on one.


But would-be buyers have to have deep pockets – it costs up to £3,250. Assistants at the Louis Vuitton shop in New Bond Street, London, said the bags had sold out.


They are unlikely to be back in stock until the end of the month, and then in small numbers – prompting suspicions the shortage may be a marketing ruse. But is it worth the wait – and the cash? Fashion writer NICOLE MOWBRAY gives her verdict …


A-list fan: Angelina Jolie has been spotted with a Capucine A-list fan: Angelina Jolie has been spotted with a Capucine


After parting with a significant amount of cash for this season’s must-have bag, it’s more than a little galling when it becomes noticeably ‘last season’.


It’s even worse when the design pops up everywhere, thanks to labels and prints now being notoriously easy to fake.


Louis Vuitton, with its much-copied tan and brown monogram design, must have felt the latter particularly keenly. Which explains why, with the understated Capucines, the French label is turning the emphasis away from trends and back to timeless style.


The bag is named after the Rue des Capucines in Paris, where Louis Vuitton opened his first shop in 1854. With it, the brand seems to be celebrating craftsmanship rather than the brash logos for which it has been known of late.



Creating a buzz: Louis Vuitton launched the £3,000 Capucine bag earlier this year with the help of Michelle Williams

Creating a buzz: Louis Vuitton launched the £3,000 Capucine bag earlier this year with the help of Michelle Williams




Waiting list: There's currently only one of the Capucine bags displayed as a sample in Louis Vuitton's London's New Bond Street store

Waiting list: There's currently only one of the Capucine bags displayed as a sample in Louis Vuitton's London's New Bond Street store



Indeed, the success of the bag marks a turnaround for the brand, which has been struggling to win back its reputation as an upmarket and exclusive label.


The Capucines is made with full-grain Taurillon calf-leather, which comes from the top layer of a hide. It is subjected to minimal chemical processing (which can weaken it) and so is known for its quality, durability and signature texture.


This is the same leather used by Hermes – which is famous for still operating long waiting lists for its coveted Kelly and Birkin bags, decades after they launched.



Michelle Williams models the different colours of the bag

There's currently a waiting list to buy it from stores across Europe

In demand: Michelle Williams models the different colours of the bag - but for others who want to get their hands on it, there's currently a waiting list at stores across Europe



Assistants in Louis Vuitton stores have suggested the brand is also using Hermes’s tactic of ‘drip-feeding’ limited numbers of the Capucines into shops, to encourage demand.


So there we have it. Those with serious money to spend – the Capucines costs £3,000 in medium, and £3,250 in large – will be making a serious style understatement this season.


If you’d like to follow suit for less, take a look at Raoul. The label offers bags which are just as nice, at a tenth of the price.


Or, on the high street, Zara has a classic leather bag with a simple metal tab for a much more purse-friendly £109.


Jolie's must-have: The fact one of the world's most beautiful women has the bag makes it even more desirable to fashionistas

Jolie's must-have: The fact one of the world's most beautiful women has the bag makes it even more desirable to fashionistas





The bag comes in a variety of colours but is currently out of stock on the fashion house's website

It can be worn with the flap folded over the bag or tucked inside

Hard to get: The bag comes in a variety of colours but is currently unavailable to buy via the fashion house's website





Angelina demonstrates how the bag can be worn with the distinctive flap tucked in for easier access

Or the flap can be folded over the bag

How to wear: Angelina demonstrates how the bag can be worn with the distinctive flap tucked in for easier access, left, or folded over the top






References



  1. ^ Sean Poulter (www.dailymail.co.uk)

  2. ^ 37 View comments (www.dailymail.co.uk)



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