There’s always one, isn’t there? The enviably elegant woman who sashays into the airport lounge with the air of having done it many times before. Apparently unaware that all eyes are on her, she nonchalantly folds her sunglasses, adjusts her cashmere wrap and settles down to consult her smartphone or flick through her glossy magazine.
This woman is La Voyageuse, the inspiration for Longchamp’s FW 2019 new line. For her, travel is about more than crossing continents, although she does this frequently. It is a style, a state of mind, and an insatiable curiosity to discover new countries, new cultures. She is the ultimate globetrotter, so it is hardly surprising that she looks so at home in the departure lounge. Beside her is the bag that Longchamp has named after her: La Voyageuse, the star of the new season.
For long-haul flights, she chooses the large La Voyageuse tote, either in butter-soft calf leather or in supple cowhide debossed with Longchamp’s all-over LGP monogram. This spacious bag, with structured sides and generous gussets, holds all her travel essentials and more besides. Sophisticated details, such as the bright nickel rivets and oversize chapes securing the handles, nod to Longchamp’s tradition of leather craftsmanship, while practical features include a long zipper and a removable, adjustable shoulder strap. Last but not least, the distinctive leather strap embossed with the Longchamp signature which wraps around the bag was inspired by vintage luggage.
For shorter journeys and days in town, she picks the small tote, identical in every detail to the larger version, choosing from its array of materials and colours the one that best matches her mood, outfit or destination. Plain calf leather in timeless black or clay-white, perhaps, or else any one of four LGP-debossed variations: black, chalk-white, burnt-red or brandy-brown cowhide; suede in khaki, natural, navy-blue or the season’s rich brandy shade; patent in deep blue, black or eye-popping orange. The possibilities seem endless! Her particular favourite, however, is La Voyageuse LGP Jacquard, an intricately crafted design in black and white, embroidered with the all-over LGP monogram on a wool canvas base and trimmed with black calf leather. Its compact shape and precious detailing evoke a vanity case of yesteryear – which was indeed the inspiration for Longchamp Creative Director Sophie Delafontaine.
Even when La Voyageuse is not between planes, she is always on the move, which is why she appreciates the versatility of two further designs. The first is a small cross-body bag with a removable shoulder strap, which doubles up as a clutch. The second, inspired by vintage newspaper bags, is a minimalist vertical tote with removable handles, which – thanks to the suppleness of Longchamp’s plain calf or debossed cowhide leathers – can be rolled up and buckled with a strap. La Voyageuse: one spirit, three styles. The new star bag that accompanies the Longchamp woman as she journeys – oh-so-elegantly – through life.
