Think the US$1,000 Louis Vuitton Face Shield is expensive? Here are 6 other luxury items from Louis Vuitton that make their face shield look like a bargain!
To many of us, dropping US$1,000 (~S$1,370) on a face shield is not only ridiculous, but also bewildering. Why would anyone want to spend a ludicrous amount of money on something so simple and basic?
Yet, Louis Vuitton has done it, and in doing so, they have elevated a necessary and unfashionable safety measure into something aspirational and a point of conversation.
Whether you think this is a money grab or an ostentatious display; that’s not the point; the point is to stir up controversy, get people talking about COVID-19 protection during a wave of anti-masks protests around the world, and also to elevate such a simple, and innocuous item.
1. Louis Vuitton PPE Face Shield
Louis Vuitton Face Shield Price: US$1,000 (~S$1,370)
Available from Louis Vuitton official store?: Yes, from 30 October 2020
What’s so special about the Louis Vuitton PPE Face Shield: It might be expensive, but it has the features to command the price. The shield itself is photochromatic, meaning that it will darken or lighten according to how much light is shining through the shield. The shield also moves about its hinge, where it can double up as a cap because of its photochromic properties. Above all, let’s not forget the real reason why it’s so expensive: the unmistakable Louis Vuitton monogram leather that’s sewn on and around the face shield.
2. Louis Vuitton Face Mask
Louis Vuitton Face Mask Price: US$123.99 (~S$170)
Available from Louis Vuitton official store?: No
What’s so special about the Louis Vuitton Face Mask: The French designer house, till date, has yet to make a mass-produced version of the face mask, so third-party producers have took it upon themselves to salvage the scraps of old, genuine Louis Vuitton products. In doing so, they’ve managed to re-purpose the good parts of the leather on old Louis Vuitton products, and stitch it onto a mask. However, many designer aficionados will be able to spot the differences in stitching and materials.
3. Louis Vuitton Earbuds
Louis Vuitton Earbuds Price: US$1,190 (~S$1,640)
Available from Louis Vuitton official store?: Yes
What’s so special about the Louis Vuitton Earbuds: These are actually based off the M&D MW07 Earbuds that you can get on Amazon US for about one-tenth of the price (US$199 / ~S$275). You might think that the Louis Vuitton badge and engraving is the cause of the price hike, but these earbuds do come with upgrades, namely the extended 10 hours of battery life, ambient listening, and improved active noise cancellation. The case itself is made of stainless steel and it offers up to 20 hours of battery life. Is it worth it? Well, the flex that comes with this Louis Vuitton Earbuds definitely blows AirPods out of the water!
4. Louis Vuitton Chainsaw
Louis Vuitton Chainsaw Price: Unattainable
Available from Louis Vuitton official store?: No
What’s so special about the Louis Vuitton Chainsaw: This chainsaw was made way back in 2008 by artist Peter Gronquist for his exhibition at Gallery 1988 in Los Angeles. He made this chainsaw, along with other designer themed weapons, such as this Chanel-themed rocket launcher used for the red carpet premier of Bruno. While his creations’ reasons are unknown, art is up to the interpretation of the viewer. Nothing quite says carnage as much as a gold-plated Louis Vuitton chainsaw to me.
5. Louis Vuitton Music Box
Louis Vuitton Music Box Price: US$3,650 (~S$5,020)
Available from Louis Vuitton official store?: Yes
What’s so special about the Louis Vuitton Music Box: It does what it says on the box – that is, to play music. The figurine itself dances while the music plays, and to the observant viewer, there’s also a little space for your to store trinkets and precious jewellery. You’ll be sure not to lose your diamond earrings if you store it there, because who in the right mind will bring it to the ocean?
6. Louis Vuitton Afternoon Tea Box
Louis Vuitton Afternoon Tea Box Price: US$53,000 (~S$72,800)
Available from Louis Vuitton official store?: Yes
What’s so special about the Louis Vuitton Afternoon Tea Box: How about spending a white collar’s annual salary on an afternoon tea box? This is so luxurious and opulent that you can’t get it online, you have to either call them or go in-store to enquire and purchase. Naturally, this being a luxury Louis Vuitton product, the price you pay for is just the box – tea set comes separately.
7. Louis Vuitton Toilet Bowl
Louis Vuitton Toilet Bowl Price: US$100,000 (~S$139,000)
Available from Louis Vuitton official store?: No
What’s so special about the Louis Vuitton Toilet Bowl: Taking the royal throne euphemism to a whole new level, artist Illma Gore made headlines in 2017 for this creation. She took and lined 24 different Louis Vuitton bags, plated the toilet bowl with gold, and put it up for exhibition, where it was valued at a cool US$100,000, just two-thirds shy of Naomi Neo’s Lamborghini in the US. It’s also intended to be fully functional, meaning you just need to fix plumbing for it to fully work.
Such Luxury & Opulence!
The (real) items I’ve just listed above from Louis Vuitton’s catalogue make their new face shield look like a bargain. For most of us, it makes no sense to purchase them because of their relative value versus utility.
Still, if you’re looking to get your hands on any of them, you could rely on your YouTrip card to take advantage of YouTrip’s Wholesale Exchange Rates when you pay in US dollars (USD). 😎
If you still haven’t gotten your free YouTrip card yet, use promo code <BLOG5> to sign up and receive a free S$5 in your account.
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