The Louis Vuitton x Maison Tamboite Collaboration is a Match Made in Heaven

The art of savoir faire is so ingrained in French culture that it touches every part of the Gallic lifestyle, from high fashion to personal transport. Amidst the multitude of remarkable brands tailoring glamour from our heads to our toes and even in the bikes we saddle, Louis Vuitton and Maison Tamboite are indeed two undeniable masters of their craft, and the ideal candidates of an exemplarity collaboration.

While the esteemed Louis Vuitton certainly needs to no introduction, Maison Tamboite is a century-old bike maker that has experienced a revival in recent years with its line of state-of-the-art, handcrafted bicycles. Regarded a symbol for French craftsmanship and elegance, beloved by notable 20th-century Parisians such as Josephine Baker, Maurice Chevalier, and Edith Piaf, the brand offers a mix of track bikes and Parisian porteurs, entirely tailor-made to each individual. Much like a bespoke suit, Maison Tamboite master craftsman, Hugo Canivenc is in charge of assessing each rider and noting their measurements which include height, inseam, shoulder, and even shoe size, to create a computerized model of the final product.

With such meticulous attention to detail on both sides of the aisle, both brands leave no room for doubt that this collaboration is truly a match made in heaven. Unveiling an extra special project, dubbed the LV Bike, both brands present a reworked Maison Tamboite Paris’ classic model that has been treated to a host of signature Louis Vuitton house design elements.

Showcasing expert leather craftsmanship and woodwork, alongside stretched and lightened metal frameworks made of enameled and chromed steel for a lighter yet stronger bike that provides an even smoother ride, plus a Monogram flower chainset and interlocking LV-shaped frames, leather-wrapped handlebars, a monogram leather luggage rack above the rear wheel, multispoke rims that are lined with a wooden red-and-white branded wheel trim, and LV monogrammed leather seating. Other distinctive characteristics include wooden mudguards, discrete LED lights, an added built-in tracker, and shock absorbers strategically positioned underneath the seat.

Available in multiple variations on a made-to-order basis, the ultra-luxurious LV Bike offers a step-through or closed frame with a two-speed drivetrain, and is finished in one of four colourways – Monogram with red Louis Vuitton perforated Mahina leather, “Lime Yellow, “Damier Graphite” with black, gray, and yellow details, and a special Nicolas Ghesquière-designed “Since 1854” Monogram.

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