Archives : Iconic Loewe’s Bags

Iconic Loewe’s Bags

The first question: how to say Loewe? The answer is “low-ay-ve”, the name of a company whose founding date is the year 1846,when a collective of Madrid-based leather artisans began crafting custom-made tobacco pouches, coin purses and bags to the whims of the local aristocracy,, marks it out as one of the oldest purveyors of luxury leather goods in the world ( often labelled Spain’s answer to Hermès ). By the early 20th century, the King and Queen of Spain had granted Loewe the official title ‘Supplier to the Royal Court’. Ever since, Spanish ministers have been presented with a Loewe briefcase on gaining power; and the must-have coming-of-age gift for any young Spaniard is a Loewe leather accessory or printed cashmere scarf. Headed up by creative director Stuart Vevers (34 year old Brit designer,formerly at Bottega Veneta and Givenchy has given Loewe a massive shot of chic since taking over the reigns as Creative Director of the brand in January of 2008) and CEO Lisa Montague, the brand’s cash cows are its bags – the ‘Amazona’, launched in 1975, has since become Loewe’s most iconic and best-selling product by some distance.Metal detailing is part of Loewe’s iconography. From the silverware found in ladies’ and gentlemen’s vanity cases from the 1920s, to the clasps on handbags from the 40s inspired by industrial hinges, Loewe has a history of forging metals into things of beauty. Stuart Vevers continues this tradition both with metal fastenings on bags and with a range of costume jewellery that is bold and surprising. Bracelets in silver, wood, crystal and marble resin have a baroque appeal, while necklaces and chain belts see silver links trimmed with black crocodile. As for shoes, expect exotic skin plus details such as chunky jewelled heels.

wallpaper.com delve into Loewe’s archives to take a look at some of its other iconic bags.