When it comes to purchasing a designer handbag, you don’t always need to break the bank to get your hands on a high quality and skillfully crafted piece. One specific designer brand that doesn’t compromise the quality of their pieces for an affordable price is French fashion house, Longchamp.
Their newest collection, Longchamp Fall Winter 2021, is all about sticking to the house's strong suits: ease and accessibility, sleek structures, and the occasional splash of color.
Preview got the chance to interview Longchamp’s Creative Director, Sophie Delafontaine! The French designer shared her inspiration for the collection, her fave pieces, and so much more. Read on!
What was your inspiration for this year’s collection?
“The inspiration was really about the true Parisian woman, not one that you have on the postcard, but the true one. As a real woman in real life: [a] real Parisian, very active and dynamic, optimistic. I wanted to show that this Longchamp Parisian woman can be a lot of different women. Really, it’s [a] real character– it’s not one type only, but in Paris, here it’s a mix of a lot of inspirations and I wanted to show that they have their own character and personality. The Longchamp woman can be as much boyish, feminine, casual, elegant, sophisticated. But she’s always paying attention to quality, nice detail, the way [what she's wearing]] is made. So she’s very sensitive to the know-how, but at the same time she wants to have fun, to be pop, to be colorful, to bring something cool and fresh. For the inspiration, I was much inspired by the French designer named Pierre Cardin [who really] embodied so very well this Parisian spirit.”
What are your three favorite pieces from the entire collection and why?
"My favorite pieces I’d say are I think the different looks on Mica [Arganaraz], they expressed very well what I wanted to say in this collection. So we have for example the first lok is with the equestrian jacket with nice leather detail but it’s weared with a little white shorts with rainy boots. It’s not the full look, it’s a reinterpretation.
"I like also when she had the leather jacket, with the leather pants [and] the high heeled boots with the polypropylene shirt –very elegant but warm and with a lot of sensuality also because of the leather, the suede leather. I also like the look when she [had] the long dress, the black long dress, which is open on the side. She [wore] it with the rain boots. It shows that what makes [the Parisian woman] different is that she breaks the code– she’s not full sophisticated, or full casual. For example in the show, if I have a jean, it’s not with sneakers but it’s with high heeled boots. The idea is to break the code and to make them a singular character."
How has COVID affected the process of designing and creating Longchamp’s pieces? What have you learned from navigating this situation?
“I think the main difference was more for the presentation, because for the collection itself, I think with the Coronavirus, people are looking more for authenticity, for true products that they can really wear in their real life, and I think that this is Longchamp. This is not new for me, it was already here, but of course with a twist of color [and] fanciness. But it was really what I was doing before.
"I’m very confident for Longchamp. The main difference is, maybe, the way to present the collection, because of course we cannot all be together in the same room. I cannot show you [the items] directly, and you cannot touch [them]. So the idea of the presentation, the video, was how to recreate the emotion of the look, of the attitude, the way she walks, the detail, the materials, the quality, the sensuality of the leather, the softness of the corduroy jacket. That’s the main difference with the other collections.”
Now, on to the bags! During the release of Longchamp’s FW 2021 Collection, we spotted a few handbags that you’d want in your collection stat!
Interested? Check out these 5 timeless Longchamp bags you’d want to buy:
1. Le Pliage
Longchamp’s flagship piece is no other than the Le Pliage. The Le Pliage comes in a variety of shapes and sizes all which are perfect for everyday use, and trust us when we say that at least one of them will be to your liking! The specific variants we spotted on the runway were the Bucket Bag and Extra Small size. Both pieces featured diamond-shaped padding to showcase the fullness of the lambskin! Plus, how cute are the chunky chains they styled the Extra Small Le Pliage with?
Le Pliage Cuir Bucket Bag and Backpack, $895, (approximately P44,938), LONGCHAMP
Le Pliage Cuir Top Handle Bag XS, $640, (approximately P32,134), LONGCHAMP
2. Le Foulonne
Besides the Le Pliage, Longchamp’s Le Foulonne is another line which features high quality leather goods (nothing less than expected from the fashion house.) The exact Le Foulonne piece we spotted on the runway was the Zipped Crossbody variant in a Pale Pink hue, perfect for everyday use! Next to the Le Pliage, the Le Foulonne is perfect if you’re looking to add a classic piece to your collection that you’ll be able to style with anything.
Le Foulonne Zipped Crossbody Bag, $365, (approximately P18,326), LONGCHAMP
3. Roseau
One thing we easily noticed on Longchamp’s runway? That the fashion house always finds a way to revamp their classic handbag lines, and cater to the modernization of fashion. It was easily seen, specifically in their Roseau line. From chunky chains to Longchamp’s LGP monogram, the fashion house found ways to add character and youth to their classic designs. Longchamp’s Roseau line features understated and not overembellished pieces adorned with the fashion house’s iconic bamboo clasp.
Roseau Top Handle Bag XS, $380, (approximately P19,080), LONGCHAMP
Roseau Top Handle Bag M, $1,165, (approximately P58,495), LONGCHAMP
Roseau Crossbody Bag XS, $460, (approximately P23,097), LONGCHAMP
Roseau Shoulder Bag L, $430, (approximately P21,590), LONGCHAMP
4. Brioche Bag
The newest silhouette out of the bunch is no other than the handbag which takes it’s name from an irresistible French pastry, the Brioche bag. The Brioche bag is the epitome of discreet and timeless chic, according to Longchamp. It’s silhouette makes it perfect for both day and night, and can be worn in a variety of ways. It will undoubtedly be your next everyday bag—trust us!
Brioche Crossbody Bag S, $775, (approximately P38,913), LONGCHAMP
Brioche Crossbody Bag S, $775, (approximately P38,913), LONGCHAMP
5. Mailbox Bag
Last but definitely not the least is Longchamp’s Mailbox Bag, which features a modern tapezium shape and sophisticated top handle. The Mailbox Bag will accompany you anywhere anytime, thanks to it’s spacious compartment and zipper closure that’ll keep all your essentials safe. The name Mailbox is an ode to the letterbox shape to remind the wearer of good news, love letters, and other secret messages. True to Longchamp’s travel philosophy, the Mailbox bag will be your companion throughout all your travels!
Mailbox Top Handle Bag M, $895, (approximately P44,938), LONGCHAMP
Mailbox Top Handle Bag S, $775, (approximately P38,913), LONGCHAMP
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