Inspired by the vibrant energy of its namesake, Loewe&rsquo;s newest leather masterpiece is a testament to world-class craftsmanship.

PHOTOGRAPHY Ryan Jenq
STYLED BY&nbsp;Laura Woolf&nbsp;

As the oldest luxury fashion house under the <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/tags/lvmh/p/1">LVMH</a> umbrella, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/tags/loewe">Loewe</a>&rsquo;s storied heritage is worth revisiting. And with the release of the <a href="https://www.loewe.com/usa/en/pd/stories-collection/madrid-bag.html">Madrid</a> <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/tags/handbags">bag</a>, the maison is paying proper tribute to its roots. Its leather ateliers have called the Spanish capital home since 1846: It was in the heart of Madrid, on Calle Lobo, that founder Enrique Loewe Roessberg first began designing small leather goods with a collective of skilled artisans. The brand&rsquo;s first store opened on the busy shopping street Calle Pr&iacute;ncipe in 1892, and in the century-plus that followed, Loewe has continued to produce high-quality creations that are as wearable as they are coveted. From seemingly ubiquitous raffia basket totes to innovative leather styles that reign supreme (think: the cult-classic handwoven Puzzle bag or the cinched drawstring Flamenco purse, a heritage piece that&rsquo;s been repeatedly revamped since the 1980s), the distinct craftsmanship of a Loewe bag remains unmatched.
Similar to its recognizable predecessors, the Madrid&mdash;which made its debut at the Ch&acirc;teau de Vincennes in <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/tags/paris">Paris </a>for <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/tags/spring-summer-2025">Spring/Summer 2025</a>&mdash;is destined to be an instant classic, expertly striking a balance of urban modernity and true timelessness. Despite its cutting-edge design, it&rsquo;s an accessory that&rsquo;s meant to outlast trends and become a long-haul staple. And like any Loewe bag, it&rsquo;s also an artisanal triumph. For starters, the French calfskin leather is specially developed: Oils and tannins are added to the drum to nourish the supple skins, which are then treated twice in the finishing stages of the tanning process. A soft shine and satiny feel are the results.

Blending two of Loewe&rsquo;s famous stitching techniques, the calfskin ultimately takes its trapezoidal shape. Raw-edge finishing can be glimpsed throughout, from the Madrid&rsquo;s base and folding panels to its eyelets and zippers. To give the bag a more refined appearance, its raw edges are painted manually. Finished with a piping detail, the generously pleated side gussets of the bag feature a turned and stitched construction, creating a round, supple body that&rsquo;s structured, with just the right amount of slouch. An exaggerated zipper tops things off, bringing an unexpected&mdash;and unexpectedly welcome&mdash;dose of asymmetry to the silhouette.
It&rsquo;s worth noting that, for its first appearance on the runway, the Madrid was carried unzipped. Models pinched the sides of the bag together as they walked; not only did this call attention to the bag&rsquo;s unique extended closure, but it also highlighted the many ways in which the piece can be worn. Adaptability is certainly paramount: In establishing itself as Loewe&rsquo;s next on-the-go It bag, the Madrid must deliver on both style and function. And it does. A jewel-like magnetic fastening nods to the label&rsquo;s signature gold Pebble motif, while tubular straps that feature tactile shoulder padding easily translate to the vibrant day-to-day city lifestyle that serves as the bag&rsquo;s inspiration.

An artisan selects soft and supple calfskin leather to create the Madrid bag.

Each piece of leather is cut with precision.

The joints of the panels are reinforced.

The bag is assembled through meticulous stitching and sewing.

The Madrid&rsquo;s versatility is further cemented by the three sizes (small, medium, and large, spanning from 25 to 36 cm in length) and four understated colors in which it&rsquo;s offered. Although the sleek exterior is decidedly pocket-free, one interior zip pouch can be found along the incredibly soft nappa leather lining; the two larger sizes feature an additional card pocket with a half-moon detail. Blending tried-and-true traditions with contemporary flourishes, Loewe&rsquo;s Madrid bag should undoubtedly be explored, much like its namesake metropolis.
This story appears in the L'OFFICIEL May 2025 issue. Buy it&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/issues/l-officiel-usa-may-2025-ciara-cover">here</a>.

PRODUCED BY: Alex Hall WIB AGENCY
PHOTO ASSISTANT: Shadi K. Best

Meet the Madrid, Loewe's Latest Coveted Bag

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