LOEWE x Suna Fujita

[despair]

Yep! A miss sized puzzle organizer fits it perfectly to support the bottom when I’ve got my laptop

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I have this one too - was super hard to hunt down. Our SA had to source it from China and get special approval to ship it into Singapore to be sold (apparently they cleared two pieces in the end). This was the only puzzle tote back then that was in classic calfskin than shiny calfskin and the only one where the Loewe logo was embossed rather than foil hotstamped which made it extra special IMO. I like this bag so much that I was sorely tempted by the mandrake one!

 

[vachefou]

I have this one too - was super hard to hunt down. Our SA had to source it from China and get special approval to ship it into Singapore to be sold (apparently they cleared two pieces in the end). This was the only puzzle tote back then that was in classic calfskin than shiny calfskin and the only one where the Loewe logo was embossed rather than foil hotstamped which made it extra special IMO. I like this bag so much that I was sorely tempted by the mandrake one!

It’s a fab bag especially in classic calf, the shiny calf in the first wave wasn’t doing it for me.

 

[QuelleFromage]

Not all the CCHs are printed though! The photo of the penguin CCH that @QuelleFromage shared in this post looks like marquetry! (Lmk if you think otherwise) The otter plain cardholder also was definitely marquetry, so I think it depends item to item.

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The penguin cardholder is definitely not printed. The penguins are inlaid, without the surrounding stitches that are sometimes used when Loewe does marquetry. I wouldn't call it intricate, but it's not just printed on (and these days, tbh, I would not expect intricate marquetry on a 400€ item).

We still have most items available in store here (France) but I am traveling and won't be home for a couple more weeks. Might check out the local Loewe boutique to see if I can live with the satin calfskin quality, as I think all the full bags seem really adorable. particularly the pandas.

 

[loewebunnyw]

Where are you located? Munich still has the Panda hammock. I saw it yesterday, it really is gorgeous and the additional lining with the pandas is just sooo cute, but I already have a hammock and the compact is too small for my taste (Love a medium bag.).
The also had the Flamencos, puzzles, charms and the Christmas baubles.

I agree, I don‘t think the lemur coin card holder is marquetry. My SA thinks it is, but if its marquetry you see the border of the pieces even when it is tiny pieces, don‘t see any there. One reason I decided to not buy it. Better save for something else.
The tails on my lemur tote bag are also painted/printed, but you can feel that it is a bit elevated (due to the paint?).
However, many pieces from the HMC pieces already had painted parts instead being all marquetry.

Btw. the shiny calfskin an the tote actually is pretty nice. Like it more than the satin calfskin (my calcifer puzzle came in satin calfskin, pretty stiff), the shiny calfskin is soft and pliable. I will take some better pics in better light later.
About the satin calfskin, I know many people don‘t like it because of the wrinkling. I think if I love the design of the bag I would nevertheless keep the bag. Another thing I was wondering was whether if it will give some specific effect after some use. Perhaps it gets a special look. After all leather lives with use also. Excited to see therefore how everybody's bags turns out after some time. I haven‘t used my satin calfskin puzzle often enough to see any changes with the leather, yet.

I’m at Singapore. I’ve placed a full deposit for the panda hammock on launch date actually and hope my SA would receive the bag soon

 

[danidach]

Telltale sign of marquetry is if you see a distinct difference in the grain of the leather between the image and the item! There is also usually a distinct line that is easier to identify and feel irl. Also unfortunately, in recent years because the quality of the marquetry hasn't been the best, sometimes the gap between the marquetry and the item is larger. Best marquetry was definitely on the Totoro items.

Just because it's detailed doesn't mean it isn't marquetry! If they really wanted to, they could definitely add more intricate marquetry like on the panda hammock's trees and the HMC Turniphead coin cardholder. Also good marquetry does not need supporting stitches, so just because it doesn't have stitches doesn't mean it's not marquetry. Something new with the marquetry in this collection is the addition of these printed/painted? details on the leather that add texture. I think it's a nice detail and adds some tactile fun~ But I think this might be their excuse to move into printing things which I'm not happy about.

Sharing some photos of the Calcifer coin cardholder I use now for reference! The penguin CCH in this post has a pretty good photo showing the distinction as well. Hope it helps show the difference a bit!

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Thanks the penguin CCH definitely looks more like marquetry because you can see the different grain of the leather. The lemur CCH may all be printing painting but it does feel like there are different textures to each colour. The white is smoother than the grey and the black is shiny but I don't think there is an obvious difference in the grain but its harder to tell because the lemurs are small. When I said intricate earlier a better word may have been fiddly because it would involve a lot if very small pieces for marquetry and they might have decided it wasn't worth the effort. Attached some close ups. It's disappointing that loewe who are known for quality are increasing prices, but decreasing quality/craftsmanship and effort. At least the price increases aren't as crazy as others and the change in quality isn't as drastic

 

[ramblemonkey]

You guys, I got the bracelet pouch to match my lemur strap, and I love it so much!

 

[ramblemonkey]

I ordered the madragora tote, but while beautiful, it is MASSIVE. I feel like photos don’t capture how billowing it looked on me. Also, was disappointed that the body of the mandragora was painted, not marquetry (you can tell by following the grain, but it is really hard to discern).

On a side note, was at the local store today, and can confirm the panda hammock is soooo gorgeous, the marquetry is amazing in person. I was very tempted but don’t think I would use the bag ever. And add another opinion that the lemur SLGs are definitely painted/printed.

 

[runtywendo]

You guys, I got the bracelet pouch to match my lemur strap, and I love it so much!

The gold hardware of the bracelet pouch is really lovely and it complements so well with the strap! I love it!! 😍

I ordered the madragora tote, but while beautiful, it is MASSIVE. I feel like photos don’t capture how billowing it looked on me. Also, was disappointed that the body of the mandragora was painted, not marquetry (you can tell by following the grain, but it is really hard to discern).

On a side note, was at the local store today, and can confirm the panda hammock is soooo gorgeous, the marquetry is amazing in person. I was very tempted but don’t think I would use the bag ever. And add another opinion that the lemur SLGs are definitely painted/printed.

I don't think I looks too big!! Maybe it's the photo but large bags are in anyways so why not? I really love the 3D details of the leaves and flower on the mandragora though. It's such a sweet detail. Looking at you wear makes me very very tempted 🤩

 

[ramblemonkey]

The gold hardware of the bracelet pouch is really lovely and it complements so well with the strap! I love it!! 😍


I don't think I looks too big!! Maybe it's the photo but large bags are in anyways so why not? I really love the 3D details of the leaves and flower on the mandragora though. It's such a sweet detail. Looking at you wear makes me very very tempted 🤩

Thank you @runtywendo ! I agree pic looks flattering, but in real life it looks cartoonishly big, I think bc it is so floppy. I love a big bag but it was too much bag for me lol! It’s at the NYC store, so if any of you want it it’s there! You’ll probably have to ask for it bc I just mailed it back

 

[despair]

My lemur bag has reached a Taqbin in Sendagaya but now I just received an update from Loewe that there’s a delivery exception and the delivery will be delayed. Tracking the shipping shows the status as “under investigation”…

Wonder if I would really get the bag now! So close yet so far!

 

[lvinthedetails]

I ordered the madragora tote, but while beautiful, it is MASSIVE. I feel like photos don’t capture how billowing it looked on me. Also, was disappointed that the body of the mandragora was painted, not marquetry (you can tell by following the grain, but it is really hard to discern).

On a side note, was at the local store today, and can confirm the panda hammock is soooo gorgeous, the marquetry is amazing in person. I was very tempted but don’t think I would use the bag ever. And add another opinion that the lemur SLGs are definitely painted/printed.

OMG the tote looks amazing!! I’m super excited to pick up mine this weekend!

It really looks perfect on you in photos haha! Bummer that you had to return it cause I feel it’s one of the sleeper standout piece in this series!
The size of the large tote is definitely more suited for taller or bigger body frames.
Also I think even though the mandrake is not marquetry, the leaf patches and flower detail kinda makes up for it.

On a side note… I see some weird bubbling and bumps between the flowers and the LOEWE logo… is it a defect or just a lighting problem?

 

[mrceral]

I got the panda hammock online, it was super expensive in CAD (over 6k...) but I love it so much I just yolo bought it 😅

It came in a massive box. Didn't receive a magazine or anything which I thought was disappointing (I wonder if they'd send me one if I ask customer service). There are no loewe flagships in Canada at all so I had to order online.

The marquetry is amazing as mentioned. I was also surprised that the panda and parts of the tree were fuzzy! Such a cute surprise. I hate satin leather like many here, but I also think it's more forgiving on this bag. I think the stiffness will help it hold its shape more so the marquetry will hold up longer over time 😊 overall definitely a splurge but a keeper!!

My only nitpicks are that the box came damaged at the corners (seriously don't get why loewe doesn't invest in better packaging), and the leather on the zipper sticks out kinda weirdly. Hopefully it won't stick out as much after I wear it a few times.

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They’d likely send you one, I asked them for a new box as mine arrived ripped and they sent one.

 

[ramblemonkey]

OMG the tote looks amazing!! I’m super excited to pick up mine this weekend!

It really looks perfect on you in photos haha! Bummer that you had to return it cause I feel it’s one of the sleeper standout piece in this series!
The size of the large tote is definitely more suited for taller or bigger body frames.
Also I think even though the mandrake is not marquetry, the leaf patches and flower detail kinda makes up for it.

On a side note… I see some weird bubbling and bumps between the flowers and the LOEWE logo… is it a defect or just a lighting problem?

It is really beautiful! I was in love with it from the campaign photos I saw of it. So bummed it didn’t work out for me. I’m 5’6”, I think it would be great on someone 5’9” or taller.

Now that you point it out, I see the bumps you’re talking about… I don’t think it’s the lighting necessarily, bc I see it in other pics I took, but I do think the light highlights it in a way that is not particularly true to life. In person I didn’t notice any imperfections.

 

[Chalkster]

I ordered the madragora tote, but while beautiful, it is MASSIVE. I feel like photos don’t capture how billowing it looked on me. Also, was disappointed that the body of the mandragora was painted, not marquetry (you can tell by following the grain, but it is really hard to discern).

On a side note, was at the local store today, and can confirm the panda hammock is soooo gorgeous, the marquetry is amazing in person. I was very tempted but don’t think I would use the bag ever. And add another opinion that the lemur SLGs are definitely painted/printed.

Well that’s slightly disappointing! I was considering this piece as well since it’s not satin leather.

Kind of seems like Loewe is systematically cutting their costs and adjusting their quality? Making the edge puzzle permanent, tuning out concerns with silk leather, and choosing to not stick to their well-known marquetry guns are all signs of cutting corners and running from all the classic things they’re known for.

 

[mischka]

Joining in! Scored a penguin wallet while on holiday!!