Trusting my gut: Designing for Louis Vuitton

Hi,

Nice to have you back visiting my blog! Today, I wanted to share a project I worked on this spring specifically, my entry for the Louis Vuitton Accessories Design Graduates Initiative 2025. This was my first time entering a design competition, and I thought it might be helpful (or at least relatable!) to share my experiences, thoughts, and some of the lessons I learned along the way. Maybe someone reading this has gone through the same struggles or perhaps you'll be inspired to take part in a competition yourself.

Louis Vuitton invites design and fashion students from 32 of the best European and American schools of fashion, design and art to join this competition. The brief focused on the future of leather, asking to design a small leather bag, along with an additional piece that fits within their small leather accessories category.

I was excited about the challenge and eager to give it my best. Last year was the first time they held the competition, but I wasn’t eligible then since it was limited to students in the final year of their bachelor's degree. Now that I am on my last year of bachelor’s studies it was finally my turn to try my luck.

One of the biggest questions I kept circling back to was: What do they really want? How much freedom do I have to experiment, and how much do they expect the designs to stay true to the classic Louis Vuitton aesthetic? I read the brief and judging criteria countless times, trying to decode their expectations. In the end, I decided to go with something that felt very Louis Vuitton but also allowed room for creative exploration.

I’ve been passionate about fashion and luxury brands since I was a teenager, so I came into this with a solid foundation of knowledge and a genuine interest for the field. That definitely gave me an edge. I think knowing the history and identity of the brand helped me make informed decisions throughout the design process.

That said, I’m not here to give you a formula for success or tips on how to come up with a good concept this was my first competition, after all. But what carried me through the project was a mix of enthusiasm for the luxury market and a strong gut feeling guiding my design choices. I truly believe that, in design, there often isn't a "right" or "wrong" and it's more about how something feels. What do you think? Let me know in the comments!

So, how did I do? I made it to the semi-finals, which was more than I ever imagined! I received great feedback, and the team showed real interest in my portfolio. I didn’t make it to the finals or win, but I’m incredibly proud of myself and the most exciting part is that I’m now in talks with the Louis Vuitton team about a possible future with the company. Hopefully I can show and talk more about my entry in the future. Let’s see where this leads!

- Lassi