Unboxing LOEWE Large ORIGINAL Puzzle Bag in Asphalt Grey 2024 Men’s + The Death of an Iconic Bag?
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 มี.ค. 2024
- Is this to be the last original puzzle bag by Loewe made in their classic calf leather?
Will the original puzzle bag be phased out and replaced by a different bag that only looks like the puzzle, called the “Edge”?
What does Loewe’s “Asphalt Grey” really looks like?
Rumour has it that the original puzzle, which apparently costs more to produce, will be reserved to Loewe's higher end range. (Tsk!). This may mean that the real puzzle bag will only be made from their new (in 2024) and stiffer leather they call "satin calf". Yes, bags with this leather is currently being sold at higher price points. (Hm).
Price points aside. A stiffer leather is yet another nail in the puzzle bag coffin.
Already, the "Edge" reduces what was structural to a mere visual.
This change in basic construction, although preserving the visual aspects of the puzzle bag, effectively has transformed the puzzle bag into an ordinary bag.
It is no longer THAT edgy puzzle bag. The irony.
Because the “Edge” is apparently cheaper to make, there seems to be a push for it to replace the original.
It is easy for any bag to dramatically slouch. The right leather for a bag that is big enough. They’ll slouch. But. Can they collapse and fall in quite the same way?
There seem to be a few changes made in 2018 and then again in 2023.
2015-2017.
2018. Various changes.
2023. The year the puzzle bag died…?
So, as I shake my head, I bought whatever original puzzle in the classic leather they have left between February and March 2024. Both came directly from Madrid, Spain via DHL.
Loewe seemed to have gone from larger puzzle bags for men, to smaller ones for women.
It used to be produced in XL, L, M, and S. Now, all you can find are L on the larger side, then S, XS, and XXS (Small, Mini, Nano). With the M (medium) size nowhere to be found.
The stiffer leather. The creation of the "Edge" version. The increasingly smaller sizes.
Where’s this all going?
Again, it is my personal opinion that the puzzle bag design is best expressed in its ORIGINAL construction: Bigger. Rather than smaller.
Otherwise, what’s the point of all those unique design choices?
Or are those going away too?
Most people do not even know that the puzzle bag was created to fold flat.
In fact, many use “bag inserts” to keep their puzzle bags “structured”. To keep its “shape” (But it does NOT HAVE ONE…?)
Then, there is the brand heavy approach which seems to have increased lately.
What’s with all the L O E W E plastered all over the place?
The disappearing of the blind stamping of discreet Loewe logos. The gaudy gold spelling of the actual brand. Worried that their (“aspirational”?) client base is too ignorant to know that the bag IS A LOEWE?
It is very clear why they want to obtain greater visibility. Aim for the lowest common denominator. The centre of the bell curve. Breath, instead of depth.
Once the brand gained popularity, it is cheaper to sell the brand instead of actual items.
The items are then really just baits.
Deep breath.
Originally looking for the medium, I was forced to choose between small and large, since the medium can’t be found on Loewe’s site.
If you google "Loewe", "Asphalt Grey" you'll see very different shades of grey: From very dark grey to very light grey.
The colour seems to be darker on pebbled leather. Which perhaps absorb the colour differently. Almost anthracite. Which I do not prefer. So for awhile there I was a bit nervous. The sales associate in Hong Kong who was charged with communications for purchases in Asia Pacific assured me that the grey is light just as pictured on Loewe's website in 2024.
Well. Not quite.
It seems that in 2024, and on the classic smooth calf leather from Loewe, Asphalt Grey is a true grey. It looks like the colder side of taupe, but somewhat warmer side of grey. To my relief.
Worn against brown, it can look taupe. Which I love.
Pfuih. At least I can end this on a positive note.
The world is already a very troubled and ugly place. Perhaps in this inconsequential fraction of life, some questions can still be asked.
What does it mean in terms of how the puzzle bag will evolve from how it was originally designed and then debuted in 2015? (Was it 2015? I was not paying attention at the time sorry).
Is this the end of Loewe as it could have been?
Does it matter if this means Loewe is now more visible and more palatable? Less "edgy", less "threatening", more popular?
Remove all the substance, but leave enough of the illusion? Just like a good dupe?
Is that not what this is all about in the end? Money?
How about art, and beauty?
They say a better world must include beauty, as well as truth, hope, and love.
In this little corner of TH-cam, I am raising my glass to all.
![รวมเพลงลูกทุ่ง 6 หนุ่มไทบ้าน ฮิตติดกระแส ชุดที่ 1 l มนต์แคน ไมค์ ไผ่ เสถียร ไหมไทย พี [Longplay]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/GD2v1OjMw5I/mqdefault.jpg)
WHERE IS THE LEATHER SMELL?
Unlike my other leather goods this one does not have that lovely leather smell. Does this mean Loewe has started using exclusively chrome / mineral tanned leathers ... ?
If so, is this a good thing?
www.obscurebelts.com/blogs/belt/why-does-leather-smell-good
www.carryology.com/insights/chrome-vs-vegetable-tanned-leather/
Such a gorgeous bag I absolutely love it. 🥰 enjoy thanks for sharing 👛🚢🙏🦆🛍️
Hey Dee Dee! Fancy seeing you here! So nice of you to drop by ❤ I was so worried and am now happy and relieved 😂
my dream bag
It has been good. I'll review it soon!
Props to all large puzzle lovers!
Whoop! 🫶
Gorgeous bag…
Really in love with the grey… love to see you wear it with the shortest strap though 😊
Thank you! It is a classic. Modelling the bag for proportion? I am camera shy in my older age 😁 But here are some observations:
For my body proportion my current strap setting which is second to shortest puts the bag on my hip when carried on the shoulder, and slightly above it when carried cross body messenger style.
The shortest setting will place the bag above my hip and for this size of a bag plus my big hips 😅 it looks awkward. Also this shortest setting is too short for a cross body carrying to be comfortable for me. Again, the large size of the bag plays a part here.
Having said all the above, these things might work differently on someone with differently shaped bodies and / or different heights! 😊
@@OrangeIsTheNewBag thank youu for your explanation, sorry my english is not very good😊
Do you mind telling me the shortest strap drop? In centimeters? Thank you so much🫶🏻
@@haira9762 You might be able to get a better answer contacting Loewe directly from their website which will direct you to your regional or local LOEWE. Their large LOEWE puzzle bag information on their website also has this info. Thanks for watching and commenting.
@@OrangeIsTheNewBag yes, thank you for your answers 🙏🏻