Christian Louboutin presents the BREIZCABA

Following eight successful limited editions of a tote bag dedicated to the distinct craftsmanship of various regions around the world, this year Christian Louboutin presents the BREIZCABA, an intricately decorated canvas and felt version of the bag that celebrates the rich French heritage of Brittany. Each iteration has been meaningful to Christian Louboutin on a personal level, with part of their proceeds being donated to a local charitable cause, and the BREIZCABA is no different, taking us to a region he has been visiting since childhood.

Coming in two sizes and two colourways, the BREIZCABA is a contemporary interpretation of a classic tote bag and includes many key codes of the Maison Christian Louboutin: the studs, CL logo and famous ‘Loubi In The Sky’ motif have subtly been re-worked to honour the historical savoir-faire of the crafts, costumes and artisans of Brittany.

Having paid tribute to cultures from around the world with prior editions of the bag, the BREIZCABA takes us on an artisanal voyage to Brittany, where Christian Louboutin likes to spend time at his country house and garden. Located between Paris and the coast, it’s a highly characteristic region which has “a rich artistic, graphic, and sculptural vocabulary” that Christian Louboutin notes he has always found “both inspiring and touching.” It even has its own language related to Celtic, in which the ‘Breizh’ that forms the namesake of the bag means ‘Bretagne.’

 The BREIZCABA LARGE is a roomy tote bag, while the BREIZCABA MINI is a handy smaller format, both of which will be available in a black-and-white or brightly coloured version made of canvas, felt and embroidery.

Brittany is “a region unlike any other, brought alive by myths and legends which the Breton people still embrace today,” says Christian Louboutin of the part of France he spent many childhood summers in, and the BREIZCABA pays artistic homage to many of its traditional symbols and crafts. The Triskelion, for example, is an ancient motif which has been re-interpreted as the pattern for the lining of the bag and consists of a triplicate pattern that is said to represent the journey of life. Christian himself loves to wear traditional Breton suits embroidered with the ancient folkloric techniques of Pontivy which have inspired the intricate designs on the exterior of the bag.

The symbols the BREIZCABA are decorated with are said to bring luck to their wearer, as well as being significant for their handicraft. To honour this artistry, an additional set of four ultra- limited-edition bags of only ten of each will appear in the MINI format and exclusive colours.

This series was partly constructed by hand at the historical Le Minor atelier in Pont-l’Abbé, Brittany, using precious materials and ancestral techniques.

“These are all among traditional elements that I have reimagined for this bag, which celebrates a place very dear to my family,” Christian Louboutin said of the deep connection he feels towards Brittany, solidified by supporting a charitable cause there. Off the Breton coast on the island of Batz, the Georges Delasalle gardens were badly hit by Storm Ciaran last year, leading to the destruction of its wind barrier. Without this, the tropical plants at this jewel of a botanical garden constructed over 100 years ago are unable to survive, and part of the proceeds of the sales of the BREIZCABA will be donated towards the charity that will restore the entire perimeter of the garden, an issue Christian Louboutin is deeply proud to support. The property belongs to the Conservatoire du Littoral, and this project is supported by Haut-Leon Communauté and La Fondation du Patrimoine, a public foundation recognised for its work safeguarding and promoting French heritage.