Louis Vuitton’s Objets Nomades at Design Miami 2012.

Prolific Spanish architect/ designer Patricia Urquiola transforms LV handbags into portable stools. Lightweight with collapsable aluminium frame and leather seat, this stool is currently at a prototype stage.

Also by Urquiola and a personal favourite, this amazing woven mesh ‘Swing Chair’ was inspired by a handbag (notice a pattern here?) The piece is finished with luxe details such as a leather cushion and gold-plated hooks. Prototype only.

Limited-edition Maracatu cabinet de voyage by Brazilian design brothers Fernando & Humberto Campana. The fringed cabinet is made from recycled leather strips and includes three internal shelves plus a hook for easy hanging. Only twelve cabinets were produced in different colours. Available as a made to order piece for a mere $51,500. Blimey!

This amazing Nomade leather hammock with gold-plated fixtures mimics the LV classic trunk bed, designed in the 19th century for French explorer Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza. The design of the hammock was inspired by the pinched shape of pasta ribbons. Designed by Swiss studio Atelier Oï, it is available to order for $32,300.

What could one possibly expect from a partnership between luxury French fashion house Louis Vuitton with a bunch of blue chip designers? Nothing other than the ultimate killer combination of the extreme love variety.

Launched at the recent Design Miami, “Objets Nomades” is a 16-piece collection of personal and travel accessories designed by 11 notable designers – think Fernando and Humberto Campana, Patricia Urquiola, Maarten Baas, Christian Liaigre and Oki Sato of Nendo, amongst others. The designers were given the brief to come up with portable objects inspired by Louis Vuitton’s signature luggage and travel accessories.

‘Bell-Lamp’ by London-based Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby of Barber Osgerby. Thlamp features LED lights and a handcrafted Murano-glass frosted enclosure. Cordless, solar powered, with a removable leather strap, the piece offers a perfect on-the-go illumination. Available made to order for $3,350.

‘Surface, The Lamp’ by Tokyo-based studio Nendo. The piece features LED bulbs and a USB-rechargeable battery concealed by a thin sheet of Nomade leather perforated to mimic LV’s iconic Damier pattern. When not in use, the lamp rolls up for simple transport. Currently at a prototype stage.

‘The Travel Desk’ by French designer Christian Liaigre utilises the portability of easels used by painters in the 19th century. The desk features a maple frame and Nomade-leather top. Available as a made to order piece for a cool $34,900.

‘Folding Beach Chair’ by Dutch designer Maarten Baas. The chair is made of cotton straps and a hand-modeled resin-coated clay frame. Currently in prototype form and not for sale.

The entire collection was on view during Design Miami at Louis Vuitton’s temporary store, and it is now set to travel to a number of LV flagship stores in Tokyo, Singapore, Taipei, London, Paris and New York.

Another superb execution in the consistently killer line-up of design concepts and collaborations commissioned by LV. Respect. If only I had a cool $32,300 to spare for a stunning leather hammock designed by Atelier Oï. Actually, I think I’d be perfectly happy to settle for a beautiful solar-powered Bell Lamp by Barber and Osgerby – a total bargain at $3,350. Boom!

Leather geometric ‘Case For Stool’ by Atelier Oï is a folding object with a thin sheet of aluminium between its leather exterior, allowing it to be packed flat and opened out into a sturdy seat. See image below for the open mode.

Leather geometric stool by Atelier Oï combines the art of origami with Louis Vuitton’s legendary craftsmanship. The clever design folds completely flat with convenient handles that make for easy transport. Folded stool shown in image above. Price $3,650.

Bag Hanger by French designer Perrine Desmons gives the iconic LV padlock a modern update. Price upon request.

‘O, Handbag Lamp’ by French designer Thierry Gaugain is a compact light powered by low-energy-consumption OLEDs, which emit a warm light. When turned on, the tiny object illuminates the interior of a traveler’s handbag. When off, it doubles as a small makeup mirror. Available for $655.

[Images courtesy of Louis Vuitton.]