Images of a handbag designed by Frank Gehry for Louis Vuitton have received a lukewarm response, Architect Magazine has reported. The French fashion house collaborated with six designers to help celebrate the famous brand’s 160th anniversary.
Commentators have described Gehry’s “twisted box” handbag, adorned with Louis Vuitton’s classic LV pattern, as disappointing. The creation draws upon Gehry’s trademark architectural style but lacks the audacity of the buildings for which he is best known. Designed with uncharacteristic minimalism and simplicity, the accessory bears little resemblance to the the architect’s beautifully chaotic structures. Instead its likeness to a stripped down version of Gehry’s Walt Disney Concert Hall leaves fashion critics arguing that he should have made much more of the opportunity to create a truly classic item.
This is not the first time that Gehry has delved into the fashion industry. His previous efforts, including a jewelry collection for Tiffany & Co. in 2008, and a hat he designed for pop star Lady Gaga in 2009, received a much warmer critical reception.
The collaboration entitled ‘celebrating monogram’ was launched on October 15 and also includes items designed by celebrated designers from a variety of fields, such as fashion designers Karl Lagerfeld, Christian Louboutin, and Rei Kawakubo, as well as apple designer Marc Newson and photographer and filmmaker Cindy Sherman.