Louis Vuitton just launched a Rs 35 lakh auto-rickshaw look-alike bag. 'You could buy 15 real auto-rickshaws for that,' quips netizen
Synopsis
Louis Vuitton's new menswear collection features an auto-rickshaw handbag. The bag is a miniature replica of the Indian auto. It is priced at ₹35 lakh. The design has generated mixed reactions online. Some find it amusing. Others see it as cultural appropriation. People are discussing the price and design. The bag is part of the Spring/Summer 2026 collection.
By ET Online
Recently, it was Kolhapuri Chappals, now it's India's most iconic local ride. Louis Vuitton’s latest menswear collection has taken the internet by storm—and this time, it’s not because of a sleek new silhouette or luxe detailing. It’s because the French fashion giant decided to turn India’s everyday auto-rickshaw into a high-end handbag. Yes, a mini autorickshaw-shaped LV bag strutted down the Spring/Summer 2026 runway—and its price tag? A jaw-dropping Rs 35 lakh.
Louis Vuitton isn’t new to quirky designs—earlier collections have featured bags shaped like aeroplanes, lobsters, and even dolphins. But this one hits especially close to home for many Indians who see autos not as fashion but as functional lifelines for everyday transport.
Some called out the double standards in the global fashion industry, asking whether an Indian designer doing the same would receive the same level of praise or attention. Still, others leaned into the humour: “So are they going to price it by the meter?” one asked, while another quipped, “If I see a South Delhi aunty stepping out of her Audi with this, I might lose it.”
ADVERTISEMENT
From Indian streets to international ramps
Styled with three wheels, handlebars, and the unmistakable yellow canopy, the handbag is a near-perfect miniature replica of the humble auto, but with a Louis Vuitton twist. Crafted in the brand’s classic brown canvas and adorned with its golden monogram, the piece is fitted with camel-hued leather accents, turning the desi daily commute into a designer dream.Louis Vuitton isn’t new to quirky designs—earlier collections have featured bags shaped like aeroplanes, lobsters, and even dolphins. But this one hits especially close to home for many Indians who see autos not as fashion but as functional lifelines for everyday transport.
Internet reacts
The reaction online has been a mix of amusement, sarcasm, and cultural commentary. One user joked that you could actually buy 15 real autos for the price of this single designer piece. Others saw it as ironic: luxury fashion embracing a symbol of middle-class India while selling it back at an elite price.Some called out the double standards in the global fashion industry, asking whether an Indian designer doing the same would receive the same level of praise or attention. Still, others leaned into the humour: “So are they going to price it by the meter?” one asked, while another quipped, “If I see a South Delhi aunty stepping out of her Audi with this, I might lose it.”
