BryanBoy at ACMI Cinemas

Anyone who thinks a handbag is just a useful way to carry their things is obviously not a fan of Louis Vuitton (LV) – the brand that helped make the bag a status symbol, an investment, or something worth taking out a seriously crippling bank loan to buy.

LV has worked its way into daily life in Melbourne, as it has around the world.

From its imposing store at the Paris-end of Melbourne’s most Paris-esque strip, Collin Street, to the fakes and suspiciously similar LV items padding out shelves in dingier areas of the city, the brand is everywhere.

If you have never heard about Louis Vuitton before, then ACMI Cinema’s program for Melbourne Spring Fashion Week 2009, Marc Jacobs on Film, is the perfect chance to catch up on some pop culture learning.

To introduce the films ACMI brought in celebrity blogger Bryanboy (BB), the Philippines’ most fashionable export who “chats” to Louis Vuitton designer Marc Jacobs on the phone and has his own namesake bag, in alligator leather – thank you very much.

From the wolf whistles and claps it was clear that the sell-out crowd that packed ACMI’s theatre to see the first film in the program, Marc Jacobs & Louis Vuitton (2007) were as excited to see BB in the flesh as they were to watch the film. (More than one audience member was mirroring the blogger’s signature style of skinny-leg pants and politically incorrect fur.)

Marc Jacobs & Louis Vuitton presents the world famous designer as a rather humble creative genius who subsists almost entirely on protein bars and cigarette smoke.

The film details the documentary makers’ attempts firstly to persuade Marc to let them follow him, and then, on succeeding, to piece together how the LV bags are reinvented each season.

What first inspires a new design – bright macaroons in a droolworthy array of pinks, greens, yellows and blues in the kitchen at the LV designers’ headquarters – is captured and followed until we see its fruition in a multicolored polka dot bag.

The film also shows the brand’s celebrity following, with Sophia Coppola, Janet Jackson, Victoria Beckham, and Pharrell Williams featuring, among many others.

As Janet Jackson pounces on the designer to gain his attention after a show, the level of adoration that the brand induces amongst its fans around the world is clear.

And those in ACMI’s theatre who weren’t seeing the phenomena for the first time could take comfort in the fact that there are many, many others out there, celebrity and otherwise, who would unblinkingly part with tens of thousands of dollars for a chance to own one of Marc’s creations.

Interview with BB

Laneway Magazine: When did you first learn about Louis Vuitton?

BryanBoy: Oh gosh I must have been 10 or 11 and I’d been reading my mum’s Vogue, you know sitting with friends at lunch … at such a young age really.

LM: Why do you like the brand?

BB: I love Louis Vuitton because it’s so, it makes a statement, you know? Every time you wear it… it’s recognizable, everybody recognizes it, wherever you go in the world it’s recognizable … and the quality’s also amazing.

Now that I’m older I love the runway pieces, not the more classic bags or shoes.

The collaborations I really, really love those.

LM: If you had to burn one Louis Vuitton item what would it be?

BB: The monogram speedy bag. Every time I see that I just want to burn it, make it go away. I mean it’s such a classic bag of course. It’s an entry level bag, it’s great for everybody, but for me, you know when everybody’s carrying it, it’s too much.

I mean, you asked if I wanted to burn something and so I’d say that that’s it, that has to go.

LM: If you could keep one item forever what would it be?

BB: The luggage. You know for me Louis Vuitton is great for luggage. I consider it as a travel brand so I would love to keep a vintage Louis Vuitton trunk.

LM: If you had Marc Jacobs alone in a taxi for 15 minutes what would you ask him?

BB: I probably wouldn’t ask him anything, you know. We’d just talk about our daily lives. That’s what we talk about every time we communicate on email or on the phone.

He first contacted me in 2007 around November, December. I made a Youtube video, because I watched this video from Chris Crocker, the leave Britney (Spears) alone (video), so I made something like that for Mark and within you know an hour of me posting the video for some reason he saw it and then you know he emailed me and I thought oh my god, your not the real Marc Jacobs, you’re an imposter, and then he said if you don’t believe me call me, here’s my phone number. And I called him and started crying…

LM: Where have you been out in Melbourne so far?

BB: Honestly I’ve been to The Peel (laughs) I’ve been to The Peel, The Toff, Rooftop, um gosh, a few other places I’ve forgotten the names, but The Peel was like something else, it’s like … (laughs), it’s too much, but it’s so much fun, it’s really fun.

LM: Why should people see this film?

Basically, for them to know more about one of the world’s most influential designers. Marc Jacobs is somebody who‘s really, really talented. And for people to you know, to see how a designer really works, where he gets inspiration from. It’s not really a job. People think you know, you’re a designer, obviously, make some sketches … but it’s not really, they get inspiration from so many places, so many things, it’s just really interesting.

ACMI’s program of six films for Fashion Week, includes Marc Jacobs & Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs’ New York, Marc Jacobs – Designer Marathon, in Louis Vuitton Champs-Elysees The Countdown, The Darjeeling Limited, and Slaves of New York, and runs from August 29 to September 6.