Legend has it that Ernest Hemingway gave actress Ava Gardner a Loewe handbag. Since 1846, Loewe has been known for the best leather goods in the world, hand-crafted by skilled artisans with serious savoir-faire, and now the Spanish brand has luxury stores all over the globe. On a recent trip to Madrid, we stopped in a flagship for a briefing on the brand- and to learn its history as "Official Supplier to the Spanish Royal Crown." (Loewe was acquired by LVMH in 1996.) We can see why celebs are routinely snapped with signature Amazona (pictured) or Flamenco hand bags.
Good news for travelers to Paris this holiday season: The world-famous Printemps Haussmann department store—its window displays decked with yuletide trimmings—has opened a pop-up store dedicated to Loewe. Located at the lobby level, the exclusive pop-up boutique has a selection of special luxury goods for the festive season, to coincide with the recent launch of Loewe’s circus-themed Christmas 2011 campaign. The brand has its own boutique on the avenue Montaigne, but for the holiday period, shoppers will also be able to lust over leather at Printemps in the 9th arrondissement.
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