Longchamp Le Pliage Bag

Le Pliage was inspired by Japanese origami and become the must have accessory all over the world. They are absolutely everywhere! In various of sizes, colours and type. Although whether the bags are authentic or not, that is another question. I had tried very hard restraining myself from having this bag. On the surface, it just a simple folded nylon bag with astronomical price tag. I had this chance on 'experiencing' it up-close when my friend, Intan bought it. I 'inspected' the bag as I was quite embarrassed on doing it at the shop, not to mention the lingering eyes of the sales assistant.

So, after stalling the purchase for nearly a year, I had this chance on buying it (August 2012). The history started at the Heathrow Terminal 4 Airport! I was in hurry for boarding but the bag caught my eyes. I bought Le Pliage shoulder bag / LE PLIAGE 'SHOPPING' - MODELE DISPOSE in Navy. I think it is the biggest size; dimensions of 31x30x19 cm. The colours options were quite limited so I ended up on buying the safest colour. The RRP is £72 and the airport price is £60. What a bargain! I had to wait for another 18 hours before I can finally mingled my new best friend.

LE PLIAGE 'SHOPPING' - MODELE DISPOSE
Image from Longchamp UK

Although it looks simple but the bag is spacious because of the folding origami design. I can keep it in my travel bag, so that I can have an extra bag. I'm a person who will bring a lot of stuff in my bag - purse, coin purse, bus pass, iPhone, pens, small notebook, make-up bag, reading glass, passport, camera and once in a while, my iPad. Because of this bag is so light, I can save a few grams maybe a kilo burden on my shoulder. Early this year, I bought another one. This time was Le Pliage handbag (shorter handles) / LE PLIAGE TYPE M - MODELE DISPOSE in Camel. A dimension of 30x28x20 cm. Camel is one of the colours for S/S 2013. I bought it at Manchester Selfridge's with full retail price of £58.

LE PLIAGE TYPE M - MODELE DISPOSE
Image from Longchamp UK

Around Christmas, I saw this picture of Malaysian celebrity with the Le Pliage travel bag in Fir (dark green). I don’t know whether the colour or her stylishness that makes me wanted that bag. I stubbornly didn’t want to buy it from the high street and reckoned to buy it at the airport because of the free tax price (less 16% of RRP). I was unlucky because there was no travel bag in that colour. Adding to the heartbreak, I missed the chance on buying it at high street outlet after Christmas as all the Longchamp’s shelf at the high street outlet has been replaced by S/S 2013 colours. And it was still January! So, I bought the camel coloured bag instead. But… when I was at Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 recently, I couldn't be happier than seeing the bag on the shelf of Rolling Luggage. Yahoo!!! Although I was looking for the biggest travel bag size (RRP £77), but I still happy settled for the medium size (RRP £67). I bought it for £55. Yeay!!! ♥♥♥

Apart from the flagship store in London and at the airport, you can buy Le Pliage at John Lewis, House of Fraser, Selfridge's and Harrod's (in store and on-line). But the designs and colours might be limited except for black and blue. Black and blue are available all year round. If you're buying on-line from the Longchamp's website, it might take you longer to receive the bag as the merchandise is sent from Paris. Through the website you can customize the design of your own bag. You can choose your own bag colour, the metal and you can imprint your initial at the top flap. But you have to wait and pay additional price of that... 

I strongly advise you not to buy from eBay or any third party website as fake Le Pliage might be sold to you with first class counterfeit standard. But one important info, previously Le Pliage was made in France. It was imprinted at the behind of the top flap. But now, the manufacturing has shifted to China. You can check it with the label inside the bag. Speaking about inside, bags with dark colour will have dark lining and bags with light colour will have white lining. Although the bag is durable to most situation, but remember, this bag is made from nylon and prone to breaking and tearing. This happened to my friend, Ban - Le Pliage has small hole at the bottom due to file's edges. I guess this goes to all type of bag; your 'friend' need love and tender... 

I'm planning to go to Paris later this year, I would like to check Longchamp there. Stay tune...

:)

Disclaimer: All images are from Longchamp UK website