The Shopping Bag Chronicles: All Aboard!-Marc Jacobs takes LV for a Magical Train Ride

10 March 2012

All Aboard!-Marc Jacobs takes LV for a Magical Train Ride

I have one big wish-to sit front row at Paris Fashion week. This year I watched, with my bunny slippers on, all the shows from NYFW through to Paris.

Oscar de la Renta

I loved Valentino, Chanel, Balmain, Dior, McQueen, Oscar de la Renta, Nina Ricci, Burberry, Marchesa...luxurious fabrics,bejeweled pattens and elegant drama at every turn... but stop the train---Marc Jacobs brought the Grand Finale to the Autumn/Winter 2012-13 Fashion Weeks.

I adore Runway-maybe because I adore fashion and theatre and nowhere do the two meet as on the runway. Most shows are often a parade of new looks but this week Marc Jacobs pulled into the station and left the others in a cloud of locomotive steam.

Two grand steel doors opened revealing a full-scale, hand made, replica of an Orient Express style locomotive train dressed in navy blue with the name Louis Vuitton shining in gold lettering.

The train arrived onto the temporary LV station at Cour Carrée du Louvre which was edged in iron and adorned with a massive train clock, a-la Hugo, that glowed throughout the show as the locomotive blasted steam to set the mood.

As the train made its stop on the runway the models one by one descended the carriage. Each was greeted by a porter who carried their LV luggage and bags. As they circled the tracks music evocative of the pace of a train taking you along on a magical journey set the pace- enchanting, romantic and memorable--all that a runway should be.

“I thought, ‘No girl will carry a bag this season,’” said Jacobs. “It will be carried for her.” -Marc Jacobs

This week's amazing RTW Fall 2012 runway/station show at Paris Fashion Week by Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton was elegant theatre- romantic, dramatic and unforgettable! Through a cloud of steam emerged exquisitely dressed first class passengers/models wearing towering hats with feathers, three quarter coats with ankle length skirts and pants, Mary Jane- esque pumps, luxe fabrics and patterns reflecting the classic LV checks embellished and bejeweled with crystals and oversized ornate buttons. The clothes were nostalgic - Mary Poppins meets Downton Abbey and even The Mad Hatter all aboard The Venice Simplon Orient Express.

Reminiscent of an era when traveling clothes were essential to any well dressed woman's wardrobe, a time when train travel was elegant and all about luxury...

...and how do you travel without bags??-the show was as much about the bags as the clothes...

Each LV case,bag and trunk was carried by a white gloved porter befitting the elegant and venerable Louis Vuitton tradition as the preeminent travel case and steamer trunk outfitter-a lovely nod to the history of Louis Vuitton which began as a humble luggage company in 1888.

For me this show from start to finish was simply about the romance of travel, a bygone age- luxurious,sometimes mysterious,elegant,dramatic and alluring. An era often captured on film and in literature and now by Mr, Jacobs on the runway.

Watch the Show-a Great Ride!

The show made me think of some of my favorite romantic, fun and fashionable train images and posters-enjoy!