THE FASH PACK

Louis Vuitton has set out to help the Red Cross - specifically, the Nigerian Red Cross Fighting Malnutrition Programme. Last week, the luxury brand held a special one-off auction at Sotheby's New Bond Street location, with proceeds from pieces commission by global creatives selling for charity.

Annie Liebovitz had Louis Vuitton design a "nomadic photographer's bag", Damien Hirst opted for a medical cabinet made of cowhide leather, and Marc Jacobs requested a "travelling home" carrying case for his bull terriers, Daisy and Alfred. Others asked to commission pieces for the auction included Patrick-Louis Vuitton, Ferran Adria and Gustavo Santaolalla.

With prices starting at £10,000, we're not saying pieces were going cheap. But for the Red Cross' 150th anniversary? That's something people will spring for.

We recently reported that the 'big' labels had started to confirm their chosen faces for their respective Spring/Summer 2010 ad campaigns. First up was Chanel, who decided that three would be its magic number and settled on a trio of models including Claudia Schiffer. Then came Versace, who confirmed that Georgia May Jagger would be taking her place centre stage as the new face of the label. Dolce and Gabbana recently settled on none other than the original 'Material Girl', Madonna who is now no longer the face of Louis Vuitton- a position she held for  seasons.

Desperate to unravel the mystery, Tina Peng, party reporter for The Cut managed to have a quick chat with Daniel Lalonde, president and CEO of the brand, who hinted that Lara Stone, as speculated, might just take the title at Louis Vuitton this season after all.

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Louis Vuitton is one label that seems to have come out unscathed in the recent economic downturn. Owned by the LVHM luxury group, one would have thought that the company's ownership of other luxury brands such as Moet and Chandon and Hennessy, are in part, the reason the group is still very much surviving the recession.

Creative director, Marc Jacobs, however, told the London Times that understanding the mystical power the brand has amassed over the years and the reasons behind its success, was a real challenge.  He explained that, "It took me years to work out what was so special about Vuitton. But when you go to the workshops outside Paris and see how everything is crafted, it is pretty impressive. Added to that, it's easily identifiable and I guess human instinct is to want to be a part of an exclusive club that's also highly recognisable. " He continued saying that, "'Almost crazy' rich people want their four-figured bags to be exclusive. But exclusive to the cult, because many of these people carry around the same bags."

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It seems that the major fashion houses are all trying to out-do each other on who can bag the youngest and edgiest model (preferably with real rock star genes) to represent them. First to do so was Versace, who announced recently that Georgia May Jagger would front its upcoming campaign and now it would seem that Louis Vuitton is hot on their heels.

Having only just announced that Lara Stone would be replacing the Queen of Pop, Madonna, as the face of the luxury label, it's clear that LV is hell bent on revamping the look of the label. It has now been confirmed, by Daisy's agent, that the husky-voiced, porcelain-skinned model, (who is currently the face of Agent Provocateur) Daisy Lowe, will be shooting in Miami this weekend.

The pics will be used as part of the press kit showcasing the brand's new ready-to-wear beach range, which is due to hit the stores in April 2010. Her agent said, "Daisy attended the Louis Vuitton show in Paris and wears their clothes, so she's thrilled about being booked for this job. It's a fantastic brand for her to be working for and she's pleased to be flying the British flag for such a world wide label."

Image via Jed Root

In addition to its existing location at Clifford St, Louis Vuitton has announced it is opening a temporary Christmas store at Selfridges London from November 2nd 2009 to January 10th 2010. The store, which will contain a 19-metre wall displaying 200 small leather goods and a window space with Louis Vuitton's "Holidazzle" animations, will wrap all gifts in unique clash-coloured ribbons, exclusive to Selfridges.

Focusing on a wide range of gift items from the Louis Vuitton portfolio, the temporary space will feature leather goods, sunglasses, belts, textiles, jewellery and city guides, as well as dog accessories, including collars, bags and leads in new colours and styles, which can be personalised by hot stamping. One of the highlights of the store will be an exclusive dog motif T-shirt designed by Louis Vuitton’s Artistic Director, Marc Jacobs. The T-shirts will be available in a wide range of colours; perfect for that must-have present this Christmas. 

Hmm. There was a lot going on at Louis Vuitton this season. To let Marc Jacobs summarise, his most recent collection was: "about travelers—the movement that came after punk. Then we were thinking about hiking, trekking, and then denim and parkas—city utilitarianism."

So on the runway, that translated to lots of layers, toggles, drawstrings, brocade biker shorts, army jackets, Japanese detailing and mesh. Striped ruffle skirts on top of shorts, Jackie-O-style short-sleeved coats on top of button-ups, Jacobs brought it all - and topped it off with giant afro wigs and suede clogs with flourishes of fur.

We can't say we saw an underlying theme for the season, but we're sure that in the hodgepodge of garments from every taste, there'll be plenty of sales this season. Which would you prefer? A blue skirt with Native American beading down the sides, or a 'Blossom' frock with a jacket wrapped around your waist, just in case?

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Burberry has inspired the rise of live streaming of fashion shows. Having showcased their Spring 2010 collection to viewers in the tents and worldwide simultaneously, other fashion houses such as Emporio  Armani and Alexander McQueen, have also followed suit and now it seems Louis Vuitton has also been bitten by the streaming bug.

The brand have announced that they will offer front row seats to the public by way of a live broadcast of the collection on its Facebook page which is set to take place on the 7th October at 2.30pm Paris time. Viewers will be able to provide live comments and feedback, as with the Burberry show, and those who are unfortunate enough to miss the live stream will have a further 24hours to enjoy the show.

Has Annie Leibowitz and Damien Hirst designed the ultimate piece of Louis Vuitton luggage? We think so. LV have teamed up with the two to design a bespoke item of luggage.

The project will see the pieces auctioned at Sotherby's on the 17th November to mark the 150th anniversary of the Red Cross. Unlike other labels who in the past, enlisted the design skills of celebrities to create 'it' bags in aid of charity, LV have allowed the pair to have complete freedom in their interpretation of 'luggage' and as such, both have chosen to offer designs tailored to suit their respective professions. Leibowitz opted for a back pack specially designed to fit camera equipment, finished off with vermilion couloured lining. Hirst on the other hand, created an ominous looking black trunk complete with multiple drawers and blue micro-fibre lining to transport his 'surgical' equipment. Is it just us or has travelling in style never been more appealing?