The Louis Vuitton Monogram: a living pattern

When Belo turned 18, her parents gifted her a Louis Vuitton Speedy, going against their earlier stance on branded goods; but it would mark Belo’s long-lasting relationship with the Maison. This love affair would further blossom when she met Benoit- Louis Vuitton, who invited her to Paris Fashion Week. “We really developed a bond,” she enthused. Every year since, she has attended a great number of Louis Vuitton shows.

“The thing about Louis Vuitton is that it’s lasting. Everlasting,” she emphasises. “For most people, it’s their first entry into the luxury bag market.” Belo is so cognizant of this fact that she often gifts her personal assistants and close associates with Louis Vuitton bags. “That’s when you know you’re close to me,” she jokes. Belo believes that the Monogram’s eminence lies in its timelessness and durability. “When you want a bag that will endure, of course, it’s Louis Vuitton,” she remarks in such a matter-of-fact way that any other answer would be unthinkable.

“The more worn it is, the more beautiful it becomes—full of elegance and class.”

Jovial and easygoing, Christian Cheng, better known by his nickname “Big Boy”, is the owner of several toy, streetwear and shoe stores across Metro Manila, as well as being the heir to Uratex. “I started my stores because I was inspired by art toys,” he explains, citing artists like Michael Lau. But throughout his 20-year stretch in the business, he was happiest—and proudest—when his likeness was used for popular toy line Funko Pop.

Cheng’s relationship with Louis Vuitton was initially shaped by his sisters, and at first, he considered it as a more feminine selection. This perception gradually changed, and he eventually purchased for himself a Louis Vuitton Monogram in the Maison’s classic shade of brown and officially joining in his family’s affinity for the brand. As the number of his pieces grew—including hard-to-procure Trunks and key collaboration items such as the Speedy P9 reimagined by Pharrell Williams—so did his appreciation for the Maison, not just for the utilitarian value of the bags themselves but the aesthetic flavour they add to his collection.

“That’s why when I show off my [toys] to my friends, I have some Louis Vuitton bags as well because they complement each other,” he enthuses. In fact, he considers his bags just as essential pieces of art in his personal gallery.

All of this circles back to the Monogram. “The design, it’s one-of-a-kind,” he exclaims. “Everyone tries to copy it and everyone tries to have one. But the designer of the Monogram [Georges Vuitton] hit that sweet spot, that nail on the head.” The fact that it maintains a persistent presence in a myriad of collections reinforces this truth.

“The pieces themselves are unique. They’re not just accessories,” he muses. “They’re art, they’re statements. Every time you buy one, aspects such as where you bought it, when you bought it and who you bought it for are the memories they carry.”

Whenever Louis Vuitton is mentioned, Cheng’s thoughts, however, drift toward his mother. “I remember how proud she looked, how happy she was, whenever she bought one,” he recalls. It is moments like these that remind him of what the House’s most recognisable motif is all about: class, elegance and permanence.

A prolific entrepreneur and a psychologist by trade, Dina Pagkalinawan is the CEO and founder of the Divipa Group of Companies, which encompasses contracting, consultancy services and retail. “I’ve been doing business for the past 15 years”, she explains, “but as an associate psychologist—that was a pandemic-born career.” Being a multifaceted individual is reflected in her enthusiasm for learning; she was, and always will be an eternal student, having also completed her executive master’s in business administration at the Asian Institute of Management.

Fascinated by human behaviour, she pursued a master’s degree in psychology from Southville International School, where she now serves as an adjunct professor. She is a firm believer in positive psychology, which she describes as being more mindful and conscious of what’s right with someone, rather than one’s flaws. She often conducts therapy and counselling sessions either in her office or at coffee shops.

Initially, Pagkalinawan set her eyes on the Louis Vuitton Monogram Neverfull for its recognisable quality. However, the very first piece she bought for herself was the Louis Vuitton Monogram Speedy, as a celebration for graduating with a law degree in 2007. These have remained mainstays of her collection, which include items such as designer Nicolas Ghesquière’s collaboration works with Milan-based homeware house Fornasetti. Aside from these, she also has a soft spot for her Louis Vuitton trunks and luggage pieces.

“I travel a lot and I bring a lot of stuff,” she explains. “Things I can’t live without—my notebook, laptop, phone and hand care.” These belongings are always with her on her journeys abroad, across all the oceans and continents. Her favourite country to visit has always been Spain, due to the great similarities it shares with the Philippines [in terms of ] culture, behaviour and perceptions. “It’s very memorable, and I always find myself going back.”

Though an eager traveller, Pagkalinawan is aware that Louis Vuitton Monogram bags aren’t solely locked behind carrying her essentials. “They’re an affirmation of every person’s journey, of their achievements and appreciation for quality,” she explains. “There’s a sense of pride in having one.”

“To me, the Monogram stands for heritage, quality materials and craft,” she enthuses. “It’s never an accident; it’s an intentional and intelligent effort. That’s quality.”

“They’re emotional repositories,” she adds. “Every time I carry it, I think of every country I’ve visited, every journey I’ve embarked on and every memory I’ve made.”

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