Following the runaway success of the Extra Pocket L19 pouch, will the new Loom Bag be Loro Piana’s next viral hit? The structured tote is just one of the highlights from the maison’s unusual Japanese-influenced collection for Spring/Summer 2024.
When Loro Piana began to conceptualise its next creation, it dreamt of a masterpiece that would encapsulate its heritage, savoir-faire and use of superlative materials. The Italian hyperluxury house didn’t have to look beyond its own workshop for design cues. Inspiration came from the drape of fabric over the heddle bar of a loom. The result is Loro Piana’s latest release – the Loom Bag.
Characterised by the metal bar where the back panel drapes to form a rounded flap, the trapezoidal tote is a work-to-weekend carryall that is roomy enough to fit an Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch, equipped with double handles.
True to its repute as an epitome of understated luxury, the bag is crafted from sumptuous fine-grained leathers and soft cotton canvas, accentuated with signature brand elements that also appear in its inaugural fashion jewellery collection.
Those in the know will recognise the golden “Loro Piana”- engraved ring, located in the leather vintage-style keyholder hung on one handle, as the ornament that often graces the maison’s womenswear.
The bag’s clasp is a miniature gold-tone lock marked “LP”, Loro Piana’s initials. To access your belongings, simply pull on the U-shaped shackle to unlock and lift the flap. Otherwise the tote can be safely carried with the lock unfastened and flap tucked inside for casual, off-duty chic.
If practicality sums up the Loom Bag, the collection it comes from shows Loro Piana’s playful side.
For Spring/Summer 24, the Italian heritage house explores its affinity with Japanese aesthetics, drawing parallels between the values of Loro Piana and those of Japanese craftsmanship that include balance and harmony with nature, dedication to craft and the relentless pursuit of perfection in the creation of lifelong wardrobe staples.
These shared passions underpin the collection’s silhouettes. Japanese philosophical influences such as the concept of Ma, summed up as a pause in time or a gap in space, is interpreted in the collection as the space between the body and the clothing that encases it, leading to fuller volumes.
The new cocoon-like Armen padded coat, in particular, is exquisite for its petal motif, which looks like bursts of blooming flowers. The design is furthermore created on Loro Piana’s Silk Cash Satin, a special fabric composed of a silk and cashmere weave. The coat’s interior, too, illustrates stunning craftsmanship – it is lined with silk taffeta printed with a geometric Mikado motif.
The brand’s signature Spagna jacket – inspired by Spanish officers’ uniforms and distinguished by the upright collar – gets two new-season updates. For the first time, Loro Piana offers a women’s rendition in delicate wool, silk, and linen. The men’s version gets an urban take with CashDenim, a cashmere-integrated denim woven by Japanese artisans using vintage looms.
Following the introduction of CashDenim in Autumn/Winter 22, this season welcomes the debut of the maison’s latest innovation – Denim Silk. The fabric is produced with a combination of silk and indigo cotton, and serves to elevate the feel of raw denim with the light touch of silk. It is the result of a rare meeting of minds that incorporates the innovative spirit of Loro Piana’s Piedmont artisans with Japanese expertise in selvedge denim.
Come July, the house will introduce its first fashion jewellery collection of necklaces and bracelets, created by reimagining the charms that adorn its Extra, Bale and Ghiera bags. While the toggle detail of the Bale bag’s closure takes the design lead in the Bale leather bracelet, the clasp of the Ghiera bag is a wellspring of inspiration for several pieces. Inspired by the rings of the spinning machine that is key in fibre processing, the ornament goes from being the keyholder on the Loom Bag to perform triple duty; first, as a charm on a brass chain bracelet, second, as a centrepiece that graces a leather double-wrap bracelet; and third, as a brass toggle clasp on the Ghiera Toggle calfskin necklace. Now, you can take styling with Loro Piana to a whole different level.
The Loom Bag is available in Singapore exclusively at Loro Piana’s ION Orchard boutique from April 11. Discover more from Loro Piana here.
(Images: Loro Piana)
