The mystery of the Loewe Puzzle Bag, solved.
If you haven’t heard of it yet, let it be known that you found out at FASHIONPHILE first. If you’re already familiar with the Loewe craze, you probably still have questions — questions like, why is this brand I’d never heard of suddenly so popular? Is it actually as amazing as people say? And, am I even pronouncing the name right?
These are all valid questions, which will be solved in the time it takes you to scroll through this highly-digestible article (if I do say so myself.) Here’s what you need to know to sound exquisitely literate on the subject.
Definitely don’t call it “Low” or “Louie”.
It’s a Spanish name, so you get the luxury of pronouncing every letter with a little twist. Repeat after me: “Loo-ay-vay.” Loewe. When you string it together, it almost sounds like there’s a little “w” at the beginning of the second syllable. “Loo-way-vay.” Loewe. There, you have it.
The brand originated as an artist collective in Madrid.
In a tale that literally can’t get more romantic, Loewe was born in 1846 as a collective that specialized in small but superior leather goods. Eventually adopted and adorned by the now-famed craftsman Enrique Loewe Roessberg, the brand’s quality became so exceptional that, well, demand was inevitable. By 1905, the house of Loewe was honored as the “official suppliers” of the Royal Court in Spain. And I guess you could say, the rest is history.
The puzzle bag was kind of a game-changer.
Clearly, Loewe has long been a celebrated brand by those in the know since before your great-grandmother was a twinkle in your great, great grandfather’s eye (Ok, weird image, but you get the idea).
In recent years, some could say Loewe had been overshadowed by the likes of Dior, Fendi, and Chanel in terms of widespread popularity. That all changed, however, when Creative Director J.W. Anderson, Creative Director birthed the Puzzle Bag in 2014.
It’s quickly become an iconic piece — arguably the most notable from the fashion house in recent history — and unsurprisingly, it can be very hard to find.
It’s definitely a new wave in understated luxury.
When we’re first exploring the indelible world of luxury handbags, it’s natural to jump for a giant monogram piece or a classic Dior bag first. But somewhere in our evolution as fashionphiles, we learn the value of subtly — and of expanding the breadth and versatility of our collection. In that sense, the Loewe Puzzle Bag carries a certain maturity and refinement that other well-versed admirers are sure to appreciate.
It’s kind of an art piece all on its own.
Described by YouTubers as “rustic modern” “super versatile” and “unique, interesting, and understated”, the Puzzle Bag manages to be both edgy and classic at the same time. Its amazing artful logo doesn’t hurt either.
It seems to go with everything.
That might sound a little counterintuitive, given the previous note about its artsy-edginess, but that’s also unanimous feedback we hear from customers.
Why? The monotones go with nearly everything. The removable strap and rolled leather handle make it perfect for almost any situation. The leather is both supple and remarkably durable. And because it features a plethora of pockets and a secure zip feature, it makes a great travel piece, too.
