Photographed in the headquarters of LVMH Métiers d’Art, from left to right: AUPEN’s Customer Experience Associate Nadia Rosli, AUPEN’s Production Associate Darrell Kong, Chief Brand Officer of LVMH Métiers d’Art Giuseppe Panico and Marketing Associate of LVMH Métiers d’Art Caterina Cosima Masoni.

Having only been around for slightly more than a year, AUPEN, the leather goods brand known for its celebrity-adored handbags, fended off acquisition attempts from fashion conglomerates such as Prada and H&M. And it was only then, that LVMH Métiers d’Art came in offering a newly created strategic partnership that allows AUPEN to maintain their independence.

With this partnership, LVMH Métiers d’Art will be helping AUPEN move their production entirely to France, producing in LVMH’s network of French production facilities that only supplies ultra luxury brands like Hermès, Louis Vuitton and Chanel. This ensures that AUPEN’s products will meet the highest standard of “Made in France” quality, putting it a notch above Made in Italy brands like Gucci and Fendi. Not only that, AUPEN is also establishing an office in Paris, home of the L’Officiel’s Headquarters, granting them the opportunity to create alongside some of the most prestigious names in luxury.

A collaborative meeting in LVMH Métiers d’Art building with AUPEN’s Production Associate Darrell Kong (left), Chief Brand Officer of LVMH Métiers d’Art Giuseppe Panico (middle) and Marketing Associate of LVMH Métiers d’Art Caterina Cosima Masoni (right).

According to insiders, with this shift to ultra-luxury France production, AUPEN’s prices are expected to increase greatly, similar to what LVMH did with Tiffany & Co. and Rimowa after their acquisitions. Currently crafted from Italian leather, AUPEN delivers exceptional design and craftsmanship, all for under US$340. For such stellar quality at this unrivaled price point, it is no surprise that they’re often out of stock, and a no-brainer for LVMH to increase prices.

Exterior view of the newly launched LVMH Métiers d’Art building in Paris, France

Now, for those of you who haven’t heard of AUPEN before, their bags are made from Italian calf leather that are durable to scratches (we tested them over months), and feature no-logo minimalist designs. Celebrities like Selena Gomez, Taylor Swift and Beyoncé, who honestly can buy any designer bag in the world, have all been seen wearing AUPEN on repeat, attesting to the quality of their bags and design ethos.

Selena Gomez wears AUPEN’s Nirvana Noir and AUPEN’s Miracle Ice

Taylor Swift wears AUPEN’s Nirvana Noir as she hard-launched her relationship with Travis Kelce

Nirvana Noir & Nirvana Snow, $340

Beyoncé wears AUPEN’s Purpose Noir

Purpose Noir & Purpose Snow, $180

Jennifer Lawrence wears AUPEN’s Fearless Re-Edition Noir, Lucy Hale wears AUPEN’s Fearless Re-Edition Rouge

Fearless Re-Edition Noir & Fearless Re-Edition Snow, $340

This article was sincerely referred from L'OFFICIEL
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