Even with all the possibilities she could have explored to update the SC bag, Sofia Coppola was fixed instead on one course of action – delving into Louis Vuitton’s archives to create the perfect, classic travel bag.

Sofia Coppola is recasting. No, it&rsquo;s not for a new film. We&rsquo;re referring to her latest update of the SC bag she designed for Louis Vuitton in 2009. This season, the director of&nbsp;The Virgin Suicides&nbsp;and&nbsp;Marie Antoinette, who picked up an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay in 2003 for her film&nbsp;Lost In Translation, looked to the house&rsquo;s historic home and atelier in Asni&egrave;res for inspiration. Light, easy to carry, timeless and very feminine, the resulting iteration of the SC bag is a true travel companion. Here, Coppola lets us in on the design process, what&rsquo;s new about the SC bag and her definition of luxury.

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What was your motivation behind the design of the SC bag?&nbsp; 
&ldquo;What I really wanted was a bag for myself and something my friends were looking for that wasn&rsquo;t available at the time. I knew I wanted it to be chic and classic, entirely in leather, discreet, and, above all, practical. When I looked at the archives, I was very much inspired by the Speedy. My idea for the bag was also driven by everyday life: everybody has a busy life; I wanted something in which you could carry everything you need and which allowed you to go to a dinner straight from work.&rdquo;

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How does this bag reflect your sensibility? Would you say it&rsquo;s more French or American?&nbsp; 
&ldquo;I&rsquo;d say this bag has many different influences: the tradition of craftsmanship is European, and there is an air of French elegance about it too. Parisian women for me have always been the chicest. Growing up, I always admired my father&rsquo;s French friends. I will never forget the first time I met Aurore Cl&eacute;ment: she wore a crisp man&rsquo;s shirt and black cigarette pants &ndash; so chic, so elegant. I wanted a handbag that conveyed the same spirit.&rdquo;

"Designing a handbag is not unlike making a film. Both forms require the same curiosity and sensitive approach, and a level of intuition. It reminded me of the way I work with the art department when I’m making a film. It’s like creating a character in a story and envisioning the universe that that character belongs to." SOFIA COPPOLA

Is designing a handbag similar to directing?&nbsp; 
&ldquo;Very much so. Designing a handbag is not unlike making a film. Both forms require the same curiosity and sensitive approach, and a level of intuition. It reminded me of the way I work with the art department when I&rsquo;m making a film. It&rsquo;s like creating a character in a story and envisioning the universe that that character belongs to.&rdquo;

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Describe your involvement in the design and working with the design team.&nbsp; 
&ldquo;Well, the people at Louis Vuitton are the experts! My job was to express what I wanted in a handbag, and then I went back to the historic atelier in Asni&egrave;res, outside of Paris, to look through the archives for inspiration. I met with the extraordinary artisans there. They have such a unique savoir-faire, a magic touch that brings dreams to life. I was very lucky! The house has a rich history of incredible craftsmanship and quality to draw from.&rdquo;

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What&rsquo;s new in this version of the SC bag?&nbsp; 
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s going to be out in April, a time when you want something lighter, more joyful. So I wanted to create a more light-hearted, fun version for the summer, and we decided to launch a new version in perforated leather. It still has its classic shape, but with a touch of lightness and new colours.&rdquo;

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How does it feel to have your name on a luxury item?&nbsp; 
&ldquo;I am so proud and happy that it has stood the test of time and continues to evolve. Designing the bag was something new for me and I really enjoyed working with the team. It seems like they can do&nbsp;anything&nbsp;you can think of!&rdquo;

"I don’t think luxury is about having a huge number of accessories, just ones you really care about." SOFIA COPPOLA

Were you surprised by the bag&rsquo;s success?&nbsp; 
&ldquo;All I was hoping for was that people would like it, but I was really surprised by its broad success. I loved seeing my friends carrying it and enjoying it, but then, I&rsquo;d spot women in the street carrying it, which made me proud. It always makes you feel connected when people like the same things you do.&rdquo;

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Would you say a bag is a comfort zone for women?&nbsp; 
&ldquo;I wouldn&rsquo;t go that far, but I think that a bag definitely resembles the person who carries it. It reflects your personality, the same way your clothes do.&rdquo;

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What is your definition of luxury?&nbsp; 
&ldquo;Having something that&rsquo;s beautifully made. And something that&rsquo;s custom-made is always luxurious &ndash; that&rsquo;s how this project started. I like classic, simple shapes and I always carry the medium-sized navy blue SC bag &ndash; or the one in Bordeaux. I love carrying the white one in summer. I don&rsquo;t think luxury is about having a huge number of accessories, just ones you really care about.&rdquo;

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What&rsquo;s next for you?&nbsp; 
&ldquo;I&rsquo;m currently writing the script for a new film that I&rsquo;m planning to shoot later this year &ndash; it will be out next year. It&rsquo;s still in its early stages of development.&rdquo;

Sofia's Choice

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