Louis Vuitton bags reworked by Hong Kong-based designer with embroidery that looks part of the original fabric
Through his clothing brand Jay Ahr, Jonathan Riss has created a unique collection of embroidered Louis Vuitton Keepall bags that brings together all the techniques he has developed over the last 20 years
As designer handbag brands increasingly churn out “limited editions” that feature only the tiniest variations on their core styles, it is getting harder than ever to find a truly one-of-a-kind bag.
Hong Kong-based designer Jonathan Riss, however, is set to change that with his latest collection, which will launch on July 3 on farfetch.com and luxurypromise.com through his clothing brand Jay Ahr.
Priced between US$7,000 and US$15,000, each bag is a reworked vintage Louis Vuitton Keepall (one of the French fashion house’s most popular styles) that looks completely different from those you can find at any store.
Each bag has been hand-embellished using intricate embroidery techniques, most of which Riss developed for Jay Ahr.
“This is a purely personal project born out of the wish to bring together all the embroidery techniques that I have developed in the last 20 years,” he explains. “I started learning the art at 19 years old in a factory in Mumbai, so I wanted to bring together all the talented artisans who turn my visualisations into reality. It was so important to use a timeless travel item like the Keepall as the base for the embroidery – this item is as relevant in our lives today as it will be in 20 years’ time.”