Event Recap: mixed drink hour with Daniel Lalonde of Louis Vuitton

In rather chaotic fashion, Shannon as well as I made our method to new York last Monday for the special possibility to satisfy as well as greet the chief operating policeman of Louis Vuitton North America, Mr. Daniel Lalonde. When we got the invitation last week whilst being on vacation, there was no genuine hesitation before realizing that we had to take advantage of this special opportunity.

The Location

Shannon as well as I had high really hopes that the event was going to take location in the flagship store on 5th Avenue, in our fantasies we had imagined Vuitton clearing a whole floor off excited buyers as well as letting the event guests roam the palace freely.

The frustration was only faint when a kind SA in the store directed us to the adjacent building down 57th Street, where part of Louis Vuitton N.A.’s business headquarters are located. To my pleasurable surprise, the showroom was providing gorgeous pieces of LV’s autumn collection, a few of which I caught on camera.

The Crowd

Overall, I believe a great 25 people circled in as well as out of the showroom during the two hours that we chatted, networked, analyzed as well as cooperated. The publishers invited were generally regional new York fashion bloggers, a few of which included our great buddies Daniel as well as Rebecca Saynt, Yuli Ziv, Wendy Lam as well as the ever-so-fabulous Gala Darling. There were more, unfortunately I had not the possibility to satisfy everyone.

The Challenge

Purpose of the mixed drink & hors d’Å“uvre hour with Vuitton’s CEO as well as the delightful Vuitton personnel was to continue the continuous dialogue between the fashion home as well as us on the internet fashion publishers as well as bloggers.

Generally speaking, the huge difficulty dealt with by independent fashion blog writers is the hesitant recognition as well as support by well-established fashion houses. in spite of the Web realm as well as its fashion blog writers having huge client outreach, strong influence on getting decisions as well as readerships that difficulty long-time print magazines, the connection between on the internet publishers as well as business like Vuitton, Hermes, Gucci as well as the likes, is still in its infancy. To continue the connection analogy, fashion homes as well as standard print media take pleasure in a long-lasting marriage with kids, while on the internet publishers are just out on their very first date, clumsy, anxious as well as dripping ice cream on the date’s shoes.

The Dialogue
Shannon as well as I really had the chance to introduce ourselves as well as have a chat with Mr. Lalonde when he went into the showroom. To our astonishment, he seemed extremely receptive to our concepts as well as really thinking about our suggestions, requests as well as input. Not that we expected otherwise, however it was a extremely refreshing moment to recognize that we were being heard as well as that we had (hopefully) contributed to paving the method for a better connection between publishers as well as LV. A extremely awesome feeling to converse with a business head figure that makes decision on a everyday basis that have an impact on millions of people. Humbling, really.

The CEO was not the only business figure in attendance that night. It was a smooth gentlemen who I satisfied near the entrance of the showroom, who [turned out to be] the LV director Of marketing Eric Lichtmess. I observed a yet-so-slight accent in his voice, it turned out that he was undoubtedly from a city near where I grew up in Germany. We participated in a extremely fascinating discussion on general marketing strategies, Vuitton’s future plans in terms of on the internet existence as well as devised plans for a possible collaboration. extremely great chap, a pleasure to talk to.

It was an absolute enjoyment to satisfy everybody in attendance, including the pr managers (thank you Lesley) as well as other bloggers. Shannon as well as I had a fantastic time as well as left the event with a feeling of accomplishment. The travels may have been crazy hectic, however there truly is not a cost identify on having opportunities, such as this one.

The Goods
We had the chance to catch a few of the autumn 2009 collection accessories that were displayed in the showroom. Click each thumbnail for a lot more info on the item!