Louis Vuitton has just launched a new backpack - the Christopher, and I was in Singapore when it launched. Distinctly different from conventional messenger bags, the new men's bag had just been released in Singapore and Australia after an earlier debut in the US. But even in Singapore, the bag is not in all Louis Vuitton outlets, but only at the Marina Bay Sands flagship Boutique. Here is a peek at the Christopher bag, plus a comprehensive review along with earlier Louis Vuitton backpack models, so you can decide whether this backpack is for you.
The Louis Vuitton Christopher in Monogram print, available now at the Louis Vuitton Boutique at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands. Carry all your urban gear in Louis Vuitton style using this bag. Read on for a comprehensive review.
A Louis Vuitton backpack? Sounds rather like an oxymoron, a contradiction of terms - as Louis Vuitton the brand stands for luxury, expensive taste, posh hotels and fabulous accommodations, while backpacking conjures images of budget travel and no frills rooms, even shared lodging to make the most of travel monies. HOWEVER, a Louis Vuitton backpack is anything BUT budget and basic. It goes back to the roots of the term backpack, which is a bag with shoulder straps to carry on your back, then it adds the LV designers' touches.
Read the article to the end and I will give you more tips on where and how to buy your Louis Vuitton bags in Asia.
Features of the Louis Vuitton Christopher backpack
A generous main compartment, an internal pocket for an iPad, two large external gusseted and covered side pockets, shoulder straps with a softer padding attached to a metal fastener which is the newer fastening technology used by LV, a softer Monogram canvas material compared to the classic Monogram, a top strap to cinch the opening of the main compartment, and easy-open snap buttons so you don't need to unfasten the decorative front leather straps. The top carry handle is a mix of leather and fabric, which makes for a strong and flexible carrier. The backside is full LV Monogram material, so the overall look is big, strong and luxurious. The price in Singapore is Singapore Dollar SGD 3,800.
The Louis Vuitton Runner backpack in Damier material is also a new generation backpack with some similar design elements as the LV Christopher bag while having its own unique character. It shares features of a large main compartment that can be cinched with a cord, an internal pocket for an iPad, a softer canvas material, soft padded shoulder straps attached to a metal fastener, a top carry handle that is a combination of leather and fabric. Distinguishing features include an LV nameplate in front that can fit a name card (but please don't cover the LV name), sleek side pockets that are open and not gusseted, and notice that it has fewer leather trim and accents.
Additional unique features of the LV Runner backpack include a foam padding at the back, for more airflow and to prevent sweating, but which I feel gives a bit of a technical backpack look to it, thus reminding me of The North Face packs. (I have five TNF technical backpacks - not urban bags, different sizes, different purposes, that I used on many mountain hiking trips. And I used to follow developments in backpack technologies very closely [straps, stiffener supports, materials, design functionality, weight, etc.], so I know my backpacks.) Seeing the back of the LV Runner almost makes me search for a sternum strap, but you won't find that here, nor any hip strap. The articulated pack cover also reminds me of trekking pants, and the name plate makes it look to me like a boys' school bag. But hey, this is a sleek Louis Vuitton bag and the Runner sells for a hefty SGD 3,350.
The Louis Vuitton Palk in Monogram material is the earlier backpack model. It also has a large main compartment, an internal iPad pocket, no side pockets but a zippered front pocket, a true front strap that you have to unbuckle, and a full leather top carry handle. Notice the very generous use of leather along with the Monogram canvas, seen from both the front and back.
The straps of the Palk have less padding and are more traditional for urban packs, and handles are attached with a combination of rivets and stitches. The Palk sells for a more modest but nonetheless still very pricey SGD 3,250.
So which of the three LV backpacks would I recommend? Which would I buy?
Firstly, these packs are for someone who often carries a lot of stuff, can't part with significant daily gear, or is much on the move in cosmopolitan places like Singapore or Hong Kong or Tokyo, or someone who flies a lot. I wouldn't use this as a regular street bag on open and crowded cities. You just don't do that with an LV bag.
Which one to get? If you have really a lot of stuff and you like the rustic appeal, go for the Christopher. If you want more techie features with a sleeker look and plan to use this as your new everyday bag, go for the Runner. Personally, I would go for the Palk which is large yet subdued, generous with the leather accents, and which I find has a more distinguished appeal. In airports, this would combine nicely with a 4-wheeler cabin bag, and once at your destination, unload part of your handcarry items at the hotel and the Palk turns into a bag you can bring to your power office or your places of interest.
Is it okay to buy this Louis Vuitton backpack? Isn't it too much? If you have the money, and you're giving your tithes to your local Christian church or the Christian ministry that feeds you spiritually (Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this," says the LORD of hosts, "if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows. (Malachi 3:10 NASB)), if you have spare money and you support missions or charitable organizations or foundations, if you provide for your own family and are not tight fisted to your Dad and Mom and siblings (If anyone fails to provide for his relatives, and especially for those of his own family, he has disowned the faith [by failing to accompany it with fruits] and is worse than an unbeliever [who performs his obligation in these matters]. (1 Timothy 5:8 AMP)), if you have savings and don't need to get a credit card loan to pay for the bag and you're not in the midst of settling a large outstanding loan, then go ahead. It's okay to enjoy what God has allowed as long as we are good stewards and don't find our identity or self-worth on money and things (As for the rich in this world, charge them not to be proud and arrogant and contemptuous of others, nor to set their hopes on uncertain riches, but on God, Who richly and ceaselessly provides us with everything for [our] enjoyment. (1 Timothy 6:17 AMP)).
More Tips On Buying Your Louis Vuitton Bags in Asia
1. Louis Vuitton doesn't go on sale. Not anywhere, not anytime. Not even during the Great Singapore Sale when some luxury brands can go as much as 70% off on selected items, but not Louie Vuitton. So, it's not a matter of WHEN to buy, but WHERE to buy.
2. The best prices for Louis Vuitton in Asia will be at Incheon Airport Duty Free in Korea (no other airport Duty Free shop in Asia has a Louis Vuitton boutique), Hong Kong, and Singapore. If you're buying in Singapore and are not a Singapore resident, make sure to ask for the Tax Refund form at the store, then claim the refund when you go to Changi airport.
Outside the Louis Vuitton flagship boutique at The Shoppes At Marina Bay Sands. Visit this store and be sure to pass the underground entrance with an LV museum feel, through The Shoppes' main hall.
3. If you're buying from The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, get the MBS rewards card for free and you can enjoy additional rebates to spend, even at dining places, so you'll surely be able to use the dollar rebates.
4. If you feel mistreated by a salesperson at the Louis Vuitton boutique, don't stomp off and buy loads of unplanned stuff and show it off to the salesperson, in Pretty Woman (the movie) fashion. This truly happens in real life, but the salesperson won't feel spited and will just smile. Instead, ask for another salesperson and proceed to go over the expensive merchandise you want to buy, then make a decision whether or not you'd like to get it, without any pressure. My experiences in Louis Vuitton shops in Singapore have consistently been very pleasant, so I trust that you will encounter the same.
That's it for now! Let me know if this article has helped you by leaving a comment. Also, give me a holler on what your favorite mens or ladies bags are, and why. I'd love to read your choices.
Take care, all the best!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
The Louis Vuitton Christopher in Monogram print, available now at the Louis Vuitton Boutique at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands. Carry all your urban gear in Louis Vuitton style using this bag. Read on for a comprehensive review.
A Louis Vuitton backpack? Sounds rather like an oxymoron, a contradiction of terms - as Louis Vuitton the brand stands for luxury, expensive taste, posh hotels and fabulous accommodations, while backpacking conjures images of budget travel and no frills rooms, even shared lodging to make the most of travel monies. HOWEVER, a Louis Vuitton backpack is anything BUT budget and basic. It goes back to the roots of the term backpack, which is a bag with shoulder straps to carry on your back, then it adds the LV designers' touches.
Read the article to the end and I will give you more tips on where and how to buy your Louis Vuitton bags in Asia.
Features of the Louis Vuitton Christopher backpack
A generous main compartment, an internal pocket for an iPad, two large external gusseted and covered side pockets, shoulder straps with a softer padding attached to a metal fastener which is the newer fastening technology used by LV, a softer Monogram canvas material compared to the classic Monogram, a top strap to cinch the opening of the main compartment, and easy-open snap buttons so you don't need to unfasten the decorative front leather straps. The top carry handle is a mix of leather and fabric, which makes for a strong and flexible carrier. The backside is full LV Monogram material, so the overall look is big, strong and luxurious. The price in Singapore is Singapore Dollar SGD 3,800.
The Louis Vuitton Runner backpack in Damier material is also a new generation backpack with some similar design elements as the LV Christopher bag while having its own unique character. It shares features of a large main compartment that can be cinched with a cord, an internal pocket for an iPad, a softer canvas material, soft padded shoulder straps attached to a metal fastener, a top carry handle that is a combination of leather and fabric. Distinguishing features include an LV nameplate in front that can fit a name card (but please don't cover the LV name), sleek side pockets that are open and not gusseted, and notice that it has fewer leather trim and accents.
Additional unique features of the LV Runner backpack include a foam padding at the back, for more airflow and to prevent sweating, but which I feel gives a bit of a technical backpack look to it, thus reminding me of The North Face packs. (I have five TNF technical backpacks - not urban bags, different sizes, different purposes, that I used on many mountain hiking trips. And I used to follow developments in backpack technologies very closely [straps, stiffener supports, materials, design functionality, weight, etc.], so I know my backpacks.) Seeing the back of the LV Runner almost makes me search for a sternum strap, but you won't find that here, nor any hip strap. The articulated pack cover also reminds me of trekking pants, and the name plate makes it look to me like a boys' school bag. But hey, this is a sleek Louis Vuitton bag and the Runner sells for a hefty SGD 3,350.
The Louis Vuitton Palk in Monogram material is the earlier backpack model. It also has a large main compartment, an internal iPad pocket, no side pockets but a zippered front pocket, a true front strap that you have to unbuckle, and a full leather top carry handle. Notice the very generous use of leather along with the Monogram canvas, seen from both the front and back.
The straps of the Palk have less padding and are more traditional for urban packs, and handles are attached with a combination of rivets and stitches. The Palk sells for a more modest but nonetheless still very pricey SGD 3,250. So which of the three LV backpacks would I recommend? Which would I buy?
Firstly, these packs are for someone who often carries a lot of stuff, can't part with significant daily gear, or is much on the move in cosmopolitan places like Singapore or Hong Kong or Tokyo, or someone who flies a lot. I wouldn't use this as a regular street bag on open and crowded cities. You just don't do that with an LV bag.
Which one to get? If you have really a lot of stuff and you like the rustic appeal, go for the Christopher. If you want more techie features with a sleeker look and plan to use this as your new everyday bag, go for the Runner. Personally, I would go for the Palk which is large yet subdued, generous with the leather accents, and which I find has a more distinguished appeal. In airports, this would combine nicely with a 4-wheeler cabin bag, and once at your destination, unload part of your handcarry items at the hotel and the Palk turns into a bag you can bring to your power office or your places of interest.
Is it okay to buy this Louis Vuitton backpack? Isn't it too much? If you have the money, and you're giving your tithes to your local Christian church or the Christian ministry that feeds you spiritually (Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this," says the LORD of hosts, "if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows. (Malachi 3:10 NASB)), if you have spare money and you support missions or charitable organizations or foundations, if you provide for your own family and are not tight fisted to your Dad and Mom and siblings (If anyone fails to provide for his relatives, and especially for those of his own family, he has disowned the faith [by failing to accompany it with fruits] and is worse than an unbeliever [who performs his obligation in these matters]. (1 Timothy 5:8 AMP)), if you have savings and don't need to get a credit card loan to pay for the bag and you're not in the midst of settling a large outstanding loan, then go ahead. It's okay to enjoy what God has allowed as long as we are good stewards and don't find our identity or self-worth on money and things (As for the rich in this world, charge them not to be proud and arrogant and contemptuous of others, nor to set their hopes on uncertain riches, but on God, Who richly and ceaselessly provides us with everything for [our] enjoyment. (1 Timothy 6:17 AMP)).
More Tips On Buying Your Louis Vuitton Bags in Asia
1. Louis Vuitton doesn't go on sale. Not anywhere, not anytime. Not even during the Great Singapore Sale when some luxury brands can go as much as 70% off on selected items, but not Louie Vuitton. So, it's not a matter of WHEN to buy, but WHERE to buy.
2. The best prices for Louis Vuitton in Asia will be at Incheon Airport Duty Free in Korea (no other airport Duty Free shop in Asia has a Louis Vuitton boutique), Hong Kong, and Singapore. If you're buying in Singapore and are not a Singapore resident, make sure to ask for the Tax Refund form at the store, then claim the refund when you go to Changi airport.
Outside the Louis Vuitton flagship boutique at The Shoppes At Marina Bay Sands. Visit this store and be sure to pass the underground entrance with an LV museum feel, through The Shoppes' main hall.
3. If you're buying from The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, get the MBS rewards card for free and you can enjoy additional rebates to spend, even at dining places, so you'll surely be able to use the dollar rebates.
4. If you feel mistreated by a salesperson at the Louis Vuitton boutique, don't stomp off and buy loads of unplanned stuff and show it off to the salesperson, in Pretty Woman (the movie) fashion. This truly happens in real life, but the salesperson won't feel spited and will just smile. Instead, ask for another salesperson and proceed to go over the expensive merchandise you want to buy, then make a decision whether or not you'd like to get it, without any pressure. My experiences in Louis Vuitton shops in Singapore have consistently been very pleasant, so I trust that you will encounter the same.
That's it for now! Let me know if this article has helped you by leaving a comment. Also, give me a holler on what your favorite mens or ladies bags are, and why. I'd love to read your choices.
Take care, all the best!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Not once did you write LOUS VUITTON correctly
ReplyDeleteHa ha! Thanks for the comment! Makes me feel appalled, embarrassed that I missed this, but ... point taken. Appreciate the note.
Delete