Spanish exchange

Luxury brand Loewe celebrates the brighter side of life with a new limited-edition collection, says Rebecca Gonsalves

While Italian and French houses may dominate the catwalks, Spanish brand Loewe is no slouch when it comes to luxurious leather. The brand renowned for stealth wealth in its modern iteration first came to life in Madrid in 1846 and, since British designer Stuart Vevers was appointed creative director in 2009, he has focused on the artisan traditions and Spanish origins of the label to great acclaim.

Now the designer is hoping to attract a new, younger customer to his creations with the brand’s Tales of Spain collection. As one would expect, the bags are the main event in this new line: the house’s famed butter-soft leather is printed with bright, youthful designs featuring flora, fauna and signature baroque swirls – all taken from the house’s extensive archive and cut and pasted together to provide a modern take on heritage. Permutations of bags include dinky coin purses and super-size clutches as well as satchels and totes with a reassuring heft to them.

Alongside the printed leather pieces of the limited edition collection, silk scarves, sunglasses, bracelets and belts have all been adorned with the feminine yet feisty patterns of the collection. While a simple grey sweatshirt with a printed Baroque frame motif is sure to appeal to the street-style set and inexpensive fripperies like nail stickers and temporary tattoos take the fun even further.

This is shaping up to be a big year for the brand as a collaboration with Junya Watanabe – one of the fashion world’s favourite avant-garde designers – for autumn/winter show was revealed at his Paris show in March. Loewe’s covetable ready-to-wear will soon be available in the UK for the first time too, as the brand plans to take up residence in a London department store.