Vince N.
Yelp
All of my Louis Vuitton purchases have been from the Ala Moana Center location as it's more fun to purchase them while on vacation! This time, however, I wanted to see a bag I've been researching online in-person. I popped in prior to having dinner at nearby Lineage. My current bag is a Tumi messenger bag that's about 10 years old. It held up wonderfully sans for one of the zipper pulls that fell off and replaced by a paperclip (hey, it's shiny and matches the chrome accents, LOL) and part of the plastic piping that lines the opening flap is cracked from usage.
ATMOSPHERE:
Located in the Shops At Wailea, it's Maui's second location (the first is at Whaler's Village in Ka'anapali). Compared to the boutique on the west side, this one is a bit fancier due to being newer but it's nothing compared to the beautiful 2-level Ala Moana Center location nor the flagship behemoth in Paris on the Champs-Élysées. There aren't any vintage trunks on display, which only adds to the appeal of your purchase. But on the upside, it's not as busy either so you do get very attentive service.
THE GOODS:
Avenue Sling Bag (Damier Graphite Canvas) - $1,700.00
LV does sell a messenger bag but it's so small that it looks like a women's bag, bleh. The Avenue Sling is a modern take on the traditional backpack. A lot smaller than I wanted (can't even fit my iPad in it) but looks so sharp. I decided to think it over dinner but came back to purchase it a few minutes later. Unfortunately the display model was the only one in stock (and the only one in the state) so I declined. My name is on a callback list if one ever shows up.
SERVICE:
Yumiko was terrific. Friendly and professional; definitely going back to see her when the time comes.
FUN FACTS:
The Damier Canvas (checkerboard in French) is the only pattern sold today that was designed by Louis Vuitton himself (along with his son Georges) in 1888, that covered his beautiful trunks. Every pattern after that, including the most recognized Monogram Canvas, was designed by his descendants.
A vintage trunk in Monogram Canvas can be seen up close at the Ala Moana Center store. Look closely and you'll see why it was called "canvas" as the deteriorating coating of intertwined LV initials and geometric shapes gives way to exposed cotton fibers underneath. Extremely cool!
While some products are made of real leather, today's "canvas" pieces are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) which is lightweight, supple and waterproof. Yes, plastic!
Purchasing a Louis Vuitton piece in Hawaii will afford you about a 10% discount for some reason. The Avenue Sling retails for $1,900 online and the rest of the planet. I recently purchased a Slender Wallet in Damier Graphite for $430, while the online price was $479.
OVERALL:
Frivolous fun with a historical backing.