Alright, let’s talk about this Louis Vuitton Aquarelle bag journey. It wasn’t exactly straightforward, lemme tell ya.
Spotting the Unicorn
So, years ago, I remember seeing pictures of this collection. It was that Richard Prince collaboration, right? The Monogram canvas looked like it was hit with watercolors. Kinda drippy, smudgy, but in a cool, artsy way. Mostly saw the Speedy version. Instantly thought, “Okay, that’s different.” Wasn’t like the usual LV stuff you saw everywhere. It stuck in my head, but back then, I wasn’t really in a place to just drop that kind of cash on a bag, especially a seasonal one.
The Late-Night Hunt Begins
Fast forward a few years. I got the itch again. Started thinking about that watercolor bag. Figured, “Hey, maybe I can find one pre-owned now.” Oh boy. That’s when the real “fun” started. This collection was from, what, 2008? So, finding one in decent shape, not ridiculously overpriced, and actually real… yeah, that was a mission.
- Scoured all the usual second-hand sites. You know the ones.
- Saw some real horror stories. Fakes that looked okay in pics but were obviously trash.
- Prices were all over the place. Some asking like new prices for a bag over a decade old!
- Looked at different styles – the Speedy, the Papillon, even the wallets. But really wanted the Speedy 35.
It took ages. Seriously, months of casual searching, then a few weeks of really digging in, comparing photos, checking seller reviews like a hawk. You gotta be careful, authenticity is a huge deal with these things.
Finally Got It!
Then, one popped up. Looked promising. Decent price, seller had good feedback, photos seemed legit – showed the date code, the stitching, the hardware. Still took a leap of faith, hit the ‘buy’ button. The wait for it to arrive was nerve-wracking. Was it gonna be as described? Was it real?
When the box finally landed, I opened it up pretty carefully. And yeah, relief! It was the real deal. The canvas felt right, the colors were faded just a tiny bit, which I actually liked – showed it had a bit of history, ya know? The vachetta leather had a nice honey patina, not too dark, not stained. It was clearly used, but looked cared for. Phew.
Living With It
So, how’s it been using it? It’s definitely more of a statement piece. Not really an everyday, chuck-it-around bag. The lighter colors and the watercolor effect mean I’m kinda paranoid about getting it dirty or color transfer from jeans. Especially on the white background parts.
What I do:
- Mostly use it for weekends, lunches out, stuff like that.
- Avoid rainy days like the plague.
- Try not to set it down on dodgy surfaces.
- Wipe it down gently with a dry cloth if I see any dust.
- Keep it stuffed in its dust bag when not in use so it holds its shape.
It fits a good amount, being a Speedy 35. Wallet, phone, keys, makeup bag, even a small water bottle. It definitely gets noticed. People either love the watercolor look or they don’t really get it, but it’s a conversation starter for sure.
Worth It?
Looking back, yeah, it was worth the hunt. It feels kinda special having a piece from a limited collection that you don’t see every five minutes. It’s a bit impractical maybe, high maintenance even, but it’s art you can carry. Just gotta be prepared for the search if you decide you want one now, and definitely do your homework on authenticity. It’s a jungle out there.
