Ooh La La Louis!

Louis Vuitton Store ~ 101 ave Champs Elysées, Paris the past 18 months.....

Ok, so I’m a little slow on the draw. It only took me 4 days but I realized that the most anticipated fashion event on the planet happened here in my humble hood and I was completely oblivious to the spectacle. It’s not surprising given that my wardroom has shrunk to 4 chefs coats (actually 3 now since I left one at Chateau d’Enfer and the owner won’t return it!), 4 chefs pants, 3 pairs of jeans, a few cotton tops, a black turtleneck, and a purse i bought at AAA, yes that AAA, as in American Automobile Association. As you can see, practicality now drives my life and wardrobe rather than whimsy. So is it any wonder that I was omitted from the guest list? I think not... So with no further ado, I introduce the Louis Vuitton flagship store at 101, avenue des Champs Elysées in Paris.


Louis Vuitton Store ~ 101 ave Champs Elysées, Paris ~ 10 October 2005

Hundreds of étoiles (stars) such as Sharon Stone, Uma Thurman and Catherine Deneuve were on hand to laud Marc Jacobs and his ready-to-wear spring-summer 2006 collection. It is also an architectural jewel in its own right. According to the press release, the interior design “sought to create terraces evoking Oriental rice fields rather than floors or storys in the conventional sense.”  As soon as the lines die down, maybe I’ll take a peek inside….if I can get past the fashion police stationed outside the doors though I might need to go buy a new pair of jeans for the occasion...

Ironically I found out about the opening when I was on my way to cook lunch for the homeless at the American Cathedral just 2 blocks down from the Louis Vuitton store. I emerged from the George V metro stop and ran smack into a snaking line of at least 200 people waiting to get in to the store, all bedecked in various shapes and colors of little LVs. I found it extremely disconcerting to walk by the epitome of wealth and excess while a few blocks away 65 people who have no home, much less a Louis Vuitton purse, and who don’t know where their next meal will come from, were waiting for lunch. Well they know where lunch is on Fridays anyways -- just 2 blocks away from a $200 million store. Hmmm... kind of makes me lose my appetite.

Now before you shoot me nasty emails, I own a LV wallet and key chain that I bought years ago when I was gainfully employed at a Huge Software Company and I certainly don’t begrudge anyone beautiful clothes or accessories, as I am guilty of purchasing more matching shoes and purses than any human needs in a few hundred lifetimes. I am merely pointing out the great disparity in our society, one that I was guilty of perpetuating but am much more painfully aware of now that I am rather far down the food chain and if not for the grace of God and some very kind people, I might just be waiting in line for my lunch rather than helping cook it.

Comments

[Lil]

i remember that big huge LV bag style scaffold... i took a pic, came back, and told my aunt that i found her a great LV bag (she was looking for one at that time) but it was too big to be carried home.... *looking sheepish*

[laura @ cucina testa rossa]

no need to feel sheepish! i loved the old scaffolding...actually better than the new facade!

[Linda Guess]

where can i get the new 2005 louis vuitton keychain
called champs elysees keepall.

[laura @ cucina testa rossa]

hi linda -- not sure but probably at the new louis vuitton store on the champs elysees....