The sun-drenched colours of the Mediterranean were the inspiration for Louis Vuitton’s Summer 2013 collection. The infinite blue of a cloudless sky, the domed roof of a Greek island chapel. The immaculate white of a painted wall, against which the deep pink of a trailing bougainvillea appears still more dazzling. Blue, white, pink – an evocative combination, fresh and frank, to accompany the long, hot days of summer in the city or by the sea.

Two celebrated shapes – the Noé and the Neverfull – dominate the collection’s leather goods. The twist is that, just for the season, these two icons become one. The result is the extraordinary Noéfull: pull its drawstring, and it looks for all the world like the bucket-shaped Noé; release it, and it morphs into the Neverfull, ready to hold your beach essentials or accompany you on a shopping spree. In Monogram denim or the season’s star Ikat flower-print canvas in blue, old rose or vivid pink, the stylish, versatile Noéfull captures the carefree, easy elegance of summer.

Not to be outdone, the original Neverfull in Monogram canvas – which, in its largest size, has established a reputation as the chicest bag on the beach – is for the first time reinterpreted with colourful leather trim. Bright pink or blue replace the familiar natural cowhide – a transformation completed by the matching Ikat floral lining and vintage-style décor vaunting Louis Vuitton's articles de voyage.

Extravagantly, exuberantly, the season’s Ikat flowers spill over from leather goods – they also cover Monogram Vernis – to accessories. They blossom on airy silk scarves, cool cotton pareos, soft beach towels and even on the feminine pump, a highlight of the shoe collection, which also spotlights relaxed flat sandals or rope-heeled wedges trimmed with pink or blue Monogram Denim. Balancing the collection’s lavish print, Summer 2013 ready-to-wear features simple yet essential shapes in immaculately plain silk, crepe or cotton in pink, white and blue. Dresses, in particular, reprise iconic Louis Vuitton styles – notably the coiffeuse dress from Marc Jacobs’ Spring/Summer 2003 alongside the kind of crisp shifts forever associated with Jackie O., whose legendary elegance was an inspiration for this collection.

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