Style hunters in Metro Manila are crazy about Longchamp. Founded in 1948, the French company’s rise to prominence was slow, only penetrating the US market after 1993. It reached local consciousness much later on. Composed of foldable bags made of vinyl with leather trims, the line includes travel bags, handbags, backpacks, laptop bags, briefcases, clutches and totes.Here in the city, when people talk about Longchamp, they’re most likely referring to the brand’s most popular offering, Le Pliage. And they’re also probably talking about one specific kind: the tote. Each collection differs in print and color. Fans of the bag are totally in love with it because it’s an ideal day bag for the office girl. It’s roomy enough to carry everything she needs to survive a hectic work day and still make it to cocktails in the evening.
The price is a little on the steep side ($145 at most international retailers and around P9,500 at Rustan’s) so some might consider it as a luxury item. But obviously, it’s not nearly as expensive as a Vuitton, making it a good choice for the “getting there” market.
The popularity of the line got ladies exploring other Longchamp products, such as the Kate Moss collection and the more expensive leather items. But nothing has eclipsed the Le Pliage craze yet, which has a cult following that goes after limited edition releases and looks forward to every new set.
I never understood why a lot of people are so into it because the design is not exactly what one would call stylishly head-turning. So a good friend with intimate knowledge on the bag filled me in. She said it’s a “convenience” bag—it’s waterproof, it comes in different sizes for different needs, the material is durable, it’s casual enough for day use but “professional” enough for the office, among other benefits.
And there’s also a men’s line.
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