Louis Vuitton's Globe-Trotter Gets an Upgrade

Photo: Louis Vuitton / Matthieu Dortomb

For fall 2014, the Louis Vuitton globe-trotter took a trip to South America and cast a digital look (from above) at the wonders of Peru. "Our collections have always been about travel," says men's creative director Kim Jones, "but the idea this time was technical travel, digital travel, and the implications of the fact that we can now see the world through a screen."

To fuel his creativity, Jones observed NASA maps of the world seen from space, and aerial photographs of Machu Picchu, Cusco, and the Atacama Desert, to come up with a modernized aesthetic for the brand.

Jones also sourced local materials for the collection, and decided to transform one of the most iconic staples of the brand. This season sees the introduction of the Damier Cobalt leather line, a deep-blue revamp of Louis Vuitton's signature check pattern.

"I always think of midnight blue as being very Parisian," Jones says. "I wanted to redevelop the Damier in some way, and for me this was the most logical. It fits with my passion for color, but it's also discrete enough to be appropriate for business."

The new Damier Cobalt appears on a special version of the classic keepall bag (pictured, right), but also on totes, messenger bags, and portfolios.

Five of the Best: Damier Cobalt Essentials

All of the new bags have been updated with tonal versions of the Vuitton trunk handle, combining palladium metal and intricate leatherwork. Many bags can be folded down as well, making them the perfect travel companions.

The Damier Cobalt collection is in stores now and available online at LouisVuitton.com.