MANILA, Philippines–Louis Vuitton presented its 2015 Spring-Summer men and women’s collections to the Asean media in Bangkok early this year.

Presented at the Sukhothai Hotel was a melange of inspirations from different countries as seen, for instance, in the women’s British cut denim pants and gabardine Chelsea jacket. Louis Vuitton’s aim was to make men and women feel the luxury of travel.

Standout bags were the Epi leather twist bags, the soft version of the petite-malle leather bags, and the new red and black combination of the famous monogram piece.

Another eye-catching take was the use of eel leather, a first in fashion; the material is quite hard to deal with and requires a special method for constructing into different pieces. This material was used for garments, as well as bags and boots.

The styles are perfect for both seasons.

For the men’s collection, inspiration comes from Rajasthan, land of kings. From the patterns to the styles of the garments, it was apparent how the techniques were a modern take on Indian embellishment.

This collection includes aviation-inspired looks, from the jumpsuit and jackets to the use of denim and khaki. Trunks and cases for essentials, such as laptops, are all designed with a stronger build and are perfect for traveling in style.

In true Thai hospitality, the media guests were welcomed to explore the culture of Bangkok. We were even asked to join a private cooking class in the famous Blue Elephant restaurant. Here we learned how to make two dishes—Pomelo Salad and Tub Tim Grob. It wasn’t the easiest of tasks, but learning to prepare these dishes familiarized us with the spices and recipes that have been passed on from  generation to generation.

That first night in Bangkok, everyone came together and enjoyed the dishes cooked by chef Ian Kittichai at Issaya restaurant with an intimate garden setting.

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