I THINK it must be every woman?s fantasy to dream up an ideal bag and shoe,? said Sofia Coppola. ?I had an idea of what I was looking for and couldn?t find ...?

The film writer-director had just visited the Louis Vuitton museum and factory, where ?it is hard not to imagine what you want to custom-order for yourself.? Out of the visit, a partnership was forged between LV and Coppola.

The result of this collaboration is a capsule line of bags and shoes with very classic and functional pieces designed to be used from day to night.

Coppola, who actively took part in all aspects of the project, from conceptualization to manufacturing, designs this collection for women like herself who walk around with things to do and places to go to.

?For the day bags, I wanted classic colors that could go with everything and you wouldn?t get tired of, but weren?t black,? she said.

To Coppola, an ideal bag is one that could fit everything she needed, but was neither too big or too heavy and always chic?not to mention discreet. The day bag she designed has a lightweight lining, a zipper pocket inside and an open pocket for easier phone storage.

In addition to the iconic LV monogram, Coppola chose her favorite autumnal tones: cobalt and jasper in rich, supple subtly grained leather and asphalt in soft sensual suede.

All-purpose

?The idea is that the city bag fits all of your things during the day,? she said. ?And that you can keep the clutch inside and slip it out at night. Or you can do what I do, which is leave the day bag at home and then take the clutch out in the evening. The colors, too were essential: they should be timeless and versatile, but not black from day.?

The collection has three compact clutches for evening, reflective of Coppola?s?and most women?s?love for going out in the evening with just the bare essentials: lipstick, keys, phone and credit card.

Their exquisitely simple envelope design is set off by stylish squeeze-to-open clasps reminiscent of the locks used on Louis Vuitton trunks.

In asphalt suede, gold leather or black suede with piping, the clutch also comes in Monogram canvas in a slightly larger version which doubles up for day. Coppola said Lauren Hutton was in her mind when she did the monogram pochette.

Having tried out the prototypes herself, Coppola added practical features, like a tiny oval mirror and slots for credit cards.

?For the sandals, I worked with Fabrizio, the shoe expert,? she said. ?While I was speaking, describing what I wanted, he would draw it at the same time. That was cool.?

Comfort was a key consideration for design of the sandals. Coppola, who lives between Paris and New York, admires French women who walk around all day in crazy high heels, but likes the American love of easy elegance.

Her idea was to create a ?70s version of the ?40s sandal, which has a chic narrow wedge, slender ankle strap and teasing peep toe.

?I wanted something chic, but not too dressy?something that wasn?t too high, so easy to readily wear, but looks great on. And you can wear it with a lot of things, so when you travel, you don?t bring too many shoes.?

The two styles are the perfect expression of Coppola?s own day-to-evening look: the plainer sandal in rich shades of baby goat leather and gold-trimmed suede or metallic gold leather and red or black suede with gold piping.

?I like them all, but I especially like the navy day bag and asphalt grey suede day bag and the black pochette with gold piping with matching shoes?those are the ones that I use the most,? said Coppola.