THE LONGCHAMP FRENCH BRAND IS VERY LUCKY: ALREADY 10 YEARS CONTRACTING POP-CULTURE GENIUS JEREMY SCOTT CREATES ORIGINAL TRAVELING BAGS FOR THE BRAND. ABOUT CREATIVE COLLABORATION AND PLANS FOR THE FUTURE, WE talked with Creative Director of LONGCHAMP SOPHIE DELOFONT. Interviewed by Karina Matevosyan
How did Longchamp collaborate with Jeremy Scott?
Sophie: Jeremy and I first met in New York back in 2005, we were introduced to each other by a mutual friend. At that time, we were preparing for the opening of the flagship store Longchamp in Soho - an avant-garde and very important project for us, developed by Thomas Heterwick. Of course, I've already heard about Jeremy's talent. I invited him to develop a line of bags dedicated to the opening of a Soho boutique, and he agreed.
Was it a "This is not your bag" model?
Sophie: Yes! Jeremy showed us a wheeled travel bag that looked like a wooden box labeled "Fragile" and "This is not your bag." Honestly, she made a huge impression on us, not least because the Longchamp brand never did anything like it.
How did your collaboration develop after that?
Sophie: We were so pleased with the "This is not your bag" model that we decided to continue cooperation further. Since then, Jeremy has been creating a capsule collection of Le Pliage bags in every season. For him, Le Pliage has become a canvas for creativity, and we, in turn, are glad that our customers are looking forward to the release of a new model. From the very beginning we were on the same wavelength, Jeremy brings us his energy, optimism, love of color - these are the things that have always been important for Longchamp.
Is there a specific type of customer who buys Le Pliage from Jeremy Scott?
Sophie: Obviously, these are collectors and all kinds of people who buy it depending on the design. Each collection conveys certain emotions: for one season, it conveys the mood of kawaii - the word that everyone in Japan calls pretty, beautiful and sweet. The next collection may be more masculine and brutal. Thus, each model is unique, but always fully reflects Jeremy’s mood and energy.
What attracted you the most to Jeremy Scott?
Sophie: With his sense of humor, the fact that he manages to be funny without being vulgar, which is actually a rare quality. In addition, I was captivated by his incredible attention to detail! There is always something in each of his designs that you will notice only if you look closely.
How is your collaboration working?
Sophie: Since I'm in Paris and Jeremy in Los Angeles, we communicate a lot by email, although we use every opportunity for a personal meeting. Every season he sends me a letter with new prints for the design of the bag. When I open this message, I feel like a little girl who is about to unwrap her Christmas presents.
Does Jeremy send you several print options, or just one?
Sophie: Usually the only one he designed specifically for Le Pliage. An exception was the 2014 fall collection featuring Madballs creepy rubber balls. Then we made two options for the bag - with the characters Skull Face and Screaming Meemie.
Do you personally carry a Le Pliage bag from Jeremy Scott?
Sophie: Of course. I have all the models! I almost always travel with one of them. It's amazing how Jeremy's bag brightens up waiting at the airport. For me they are almost like a talisman.
Which model is your favorite?
Sophie: It's hard to choose, but I have a special affection for one of the very first pink poodle models. Perhaps most often on a plane I take a model with black and pink roses with a light rock and roll mood. And I go on vacation, taking with me "Greetings from Paradise" ("Greetings from Paradise"), it sets a very right resort mood.
Why did you decide to work with a travel bag format?
Sophie: Just because it's a universal format that fits every person. This bag can be equally worn by both women with a handbag and men with a briefcase.
Are you and Jeremy planning to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the collaboration with some retrospective?
Sophie: No, on the contrary, we are already planning our next project. We do not want to be nostalgic for the past, we both look forward to the next 10 years!
