Fashion Week Handbags: Louis Vuitton Fall 2012

Leave it to Louis Vuitton to solve a handbag problem that we didn’t even know we had – how do you get more handbags on the runway than there are models to carry them without weighing down the ready-to-wear? As it turns out, the answer is creating a travel-themed show, complete with a functioning train, and giving the models each a uniform-clad porter to carry her “luggage.” Vuitton took full advantage of these runway helpers, loading each model-helper down with multiple bags – sometimes as many as four.

That meant that we got to see a lot of lovely luggage on the runway, from oversized crocodile hat boxes to traditional luggage suitcases. Things got a little harrier when the show moved on to regular handbags, though, both figuratively and literally. While some of the fur-detailed monogram bags were lovely, other fur-covered satchels looked a little bit too much like Cousin It. Also, I’m not sure how high-end the weathered circular hardware closures used on many of the bags looks. As much as I loved last season’s Vuitton collection, this one might take some getting used to.