We already know what Louis Vuitton's quest for fancier customers means on the high end of the brand's price spectrum, but changes in LV's mid-range bags, like those made of Epi or Vernis leather, have been a little slower to materialize. As a business strategy, that's somewhat predictable - give people something super-expensive over which to work themselves into a lather, and then roll out incrementally more accessible options that embody the same style to capture greater market share. Thus, we bring you news of the brand new Louis Vuitton Marly Bag.
The Marly, which comes in both MM (16.1" x 14.2" x 6.7") and smaller BB (13.4" x 10.6" x 5.1") sizes, has a grained Epi leather body with smooth leather handles and accents. Both versions come with a shoulder strap, although the BB's is longer, allowing it to be carried across the body. The only external branding is an embossed LV monogram at the bottom right corner.
The most notable feature of this design is its subtlety; the bag lacks extraneous trim, embellishment or hardware, which creates a final look that's both luxurious and discreet. In the past, it would have been hard to imagine carrying almost any Louis Vuitton bag into a conservative office, but this one would fit in beautifully without being boring. It's exactly the kind of mid-line bag Vuitton needs to produce in order to attract the sophisticated consumers the brand is after.