Louis Vuitton. A brand and name we all know and love. From their unique and creative runway pieces, to their elegant silk scarves, chunky, laced combat boots, carefully crafted leather and canvas goods, and of course - the monogram logo. Designed in 1896 by Monsieur Vuitton's son, Georges Vuitton, as a way to brand their flowering box and luggage business. Even back then fashion and business marketing went hand in hand. Now, over 120 years later, the primitive logo is still immensely acclaimed in the world of fashion and is the first image to cross your mind when you hear the name "Louis Vuitton." Love it, hate it, it doesn't matter - what matters is that you know it.
Year after year, and line after line, Louis Vuitton continues to thrive in the bag department, while women of all ages jitter to get their hands on the latest LV model. Have you ever seen women physically fighting over a handbag or a pair of shoes? Screams of "I had it first!" bellowing throughout a store or a shopping centre? No? Maybe that's just in films. But if that ever were to happen in reality, it would be over the Louis Vuitton Pochette Metis.
Originally introduced in 2012, this notable, canvas satchel with the iconic monogram logo embossed on every piece, appeared in stores everywhere.
With its structured silhouette, delicate gold-tone hardware, adjustable shoulder strap, practical top handle, and two spacious compartments - the Pochette Metis is truly an original take on the ideal day-to-day bag. Satchels aren't famous for being the most feminine style of bag around, but LV's creative director Nicolas Ghesquière and his design team completely redefine that notion. Femininity and masculinity came together and their contrast created something beautiful. It combined a classic work and business-like aesthetic with a modern edge and a fashion forward direction. It didn't need to fit into one category or the other, it could be both, and it could flourish.
Surprisingly, the PM wasn't a smashing hit in 2012, however, in 2015 it finally received the recognition it deserved. Bloggers, influencers, and socialites were seen with the monogram printed LV Pochette Metis casually thrown over their shoulders and all of a sudden, the world went nuts. The Monogram PM became a beloved product and an instant success, so much so that department stores, Louis Vuitton flapships, and online retailers were all sold out world wide in a matter of no time.
In 2017, Louis Vuitton introduced the Pochette Metis in Empriente leather, ranging in colours such as red, pink, navy, and black. More from the canvas line came the Infarouge canvas and Reversed Monogram canvas, but still, the original monogram canvas surpassed all the others as the most desired model. Everyone wanted that specific piece, and that piece only.
And now comes the part of the story one shudders to tell, this romantic love story of women everywhere dreaming of owning the desired bag goes dark and cold. Mid 2017, a rumour was started, and tragedy struck.
The Pochette Metis in monogram canvas was apparently... wait for it... DISCONTINUED. People were losing sleep. Women were frantically running through the streets in search of a logo PM. Echoes of soft whimpers were overheard in the corners of Knightsbridge.
And then came the light, it's as if Louis Vuitton himself came down from the heavens and granted the people's wish - in 2018, the once rumoured-to-be discontinued Pochette Metis in monogram canvas was placed back on shelves and online stores. So women called in sick to work and celebrated as they joyously skipped to the LV store to purchase the bag that got away. Thus concludes our story, and it's definitely safe to say everyone lived happily ever after.
By: Isabel de Carteret
