Maroquinaris Zoologicae by Billie Achilleos for Louis Vuitton.

Billie Achilleos is a young British artist who was recently commissioned by the French luxury fashion house, Louis Vuitton, for their 100th anniversary celebration of small leather goods. Keeping alive the skills of a forgotten craft, Billie created a miniature zoo of fantasy animals made exclusively from LV’s wallets, purses, belts, and accessories titled Maroquinaris Zoologicae.

Just imagine how nerve-wracking (but incredibly fun) it would have been to cut up thousands upon thousands of dollars worth of luxury leather goods! Billie has done an incredible job re-imagining and transforming LV gear into super-cool shapes representing mammals, reptiles, birds, crustacean and insects.

“Each animal highlights an element in the design of the products. The Armadillo was to highlight the soft yet durable quality of the leather. The Chameleon displays the variety of colour. The Grasshopper is constructed from products with zips and poppers that make satisfying noises like that of the musically gifted insect. And finally my favorite, the Beaver, who’s functionality chops wood, builds dams…and provides cleaver ways of organising ones life in men’s bags and wallets.” – Billie Achilleos

This collection first debuted at the famous Parisian taxidermy store Deyrolle back in October and is currently on world tour. All you Sydney folk can see it in person in Louis Vuitton’s windows at their glorious new store located on the corner of King and George St. Below is a sweet little video showing the making of some of these animals.