The Fashion Business: Are Louis Vuitton’s flexible screen handbags the future of fashion?

The high end designer showed of their “Canvas of the Future” during their Cruise 2020 runway show. These may be innovative, but they’re not very pretty. (Image credit: Louis Vuitton)

High-end fashion designers are always looking for the next cutting edge trend, especially when it comes to technology. Louis Vuitton recently hopped on board with their latest bag that features built-in flexible displays. Dubbed the “Canvas Bag of the Future,” the handbags were shown off during their Cruise 2020 runway show in New York.

The handbags feature Louis Vuitton’s signature LV monogram design with built-in screens. There’s even a dual screen option. Both displayed videos of city views and an internet browser. They are being described as “fusing cutting-edge technology with the Maison’s signature savoir-faire” and includes the ability to display moving images (aka videos) while also “taking the form of some of Louis Vuitton’s most iconic bags.”

But aside from that, we don’t know much else about them. Louis Vuitton doesn’t give much info about the flex screens, such as if they were outsourced, the supplier, battery life, or how you’re supposed to upload new content to the screens. They didn’t even mention a price, but considering a regular Louis Vuitton bag costs $1,500 chances are these hi-tech bags won’t be cheap. It’s also not clear if these bags will make it past the prototype stages.

It’s a strange combo, but Louis Vuitton isn’t the only high-end designer making smart wear. Armillion recently introduced a smart diamond bracelet that allows you to make payments. The Adamantos carries a $1.3 million spending limit and uses Mastercard to power the payments. Users can adjust their spending limit, access their balance, and turn payments on and off via the companion app. But don’t expect to walk into Macy’s if you want to pick one up. They’re fairly exclusive with only 19 being made and cost more than $78,000 each.

Other brands are exploring how to combine fashion and technology as well. Designers like Zac Posen, Hussein Chalayan, and Iris van Herpen have even turned to 3D printing to create stunning runway attire. Posen’s out of this world gowns were on display at this year’s Met Gala. Designer Pauline Van Dongen even creates a knitted cardigan with sensors that measure the movements of elderly wearers. And Yves Behar released a clothing collection meant to help the elderly in getting up, sitting down or staying upright through use of various motors housed in hexagonal pads.

As technology continues to improve, we’ll most likely see more high-end designers incorporate it into their designs. While some will do it solely for a gimmick, others will create wearables that are practical and aim to help people in their everyday lives as some have shown us. It’ll be interesting to see how the line between fashion and technology continues to blur, but hopefully, it’s not as garish as Louis Vuitton’s latest bag.

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