Originally introduced in 1930 under the name Express, Louis Vuitton's Speedy bag is one of the French maison's most iconic silhouettes. A model worthy of study that, from its beginnings, knew how to connect with the public in a bold way thanks to its versatility, functionality and brand-new appearance.
A bag made of PVC canvas – characterized by maintaining its shape and being highly resistant to bumps and scratches – intended for those businessmen who traveled constantly and did not want to give up style. Even in 1965, a smaller version was designed for Audrey Hepburn to take on her trips. The formula worked. For decades it was among the best-selling models of all time until, in the 2000s, it had its last moment of glory during the creative mandate of Marc Jacobs.
After a few years of hiatus, the success of the iconic Speedy has now multiplied since the arrival of Pharrell Williams to the artistic direction of the Louis Vuitton men's line. The versatile artist gave a new, more updated look to the bag, fusing heritage and contemporaneity in bold chromatic variations.
Williams presented it in his debut collection and it exceeded any expectations. This new model, versioned in three colors and presented in its three iconic sizes, had a much more urban and casual air, leaving aside the mythical waxed canvas and opting for a softer and more moldable leather.
As a result, that rigid structure of the old model is transformed into a soft construction where the famous Monogram is printed silk-screened as if it were hand-painted. This reissue is inspired by New York's Canal Street, the main street of Chinatown in Manhattan, where poor quality knockoffs are sold to consumers around the world. A model that, as Williams says, “is no longer just for men, nor for women, it is a great bag for people.”
