After my History of Industrial Design class last week where we had briefly talked about the early history of Louis Vuitton, I decided that I would check out LV"s flagship store on Fifth Avenue and 57th Street to see if there were any artifacts that might be of interest.
and much to my surprise, there were indeed some vintage trunks on display and unfortunately just out of reach for my little iPhone camera. Here are some grainy photos.
They did have some newer trunks on display.
Here are some images closeup. Notice the variety of materials used inside and out. The chrome hardware does not seem out of place and the wooden trims serve as bumper rails to protect the outer leather surface.
The associate I spoke with at the store gently reminded me that photos are not allowed in store but not before he explained to me that these trunks are much more meaningful when made-to-order especially the cost between one they have in store and a BTO is not as significant as the price tag of one: expensive.
Upon further research it seems Louis Vuitton greatly embraces its proud tradition of luggage for travel. Its website begins with a location imagery that reminds the user of travel.
and is followed by multimedia-rich content that isn't all about commerce but rather presents the company and its heritage in a very pleasing way.
Louis Vuitton also released "100 Legendary Trunks": a book with an accompanying iPad "Interactive Book" app that shows off some of the trunks it has made over the years. Very much worth checking out.
[youtube="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5I5ttT-dvw"]
Caption by Louis Vuitton on YouTube.
Seven crafts performed by hands outlined by daylight. They stitch the skin of a Speedy bag with beeswax-coated yarn, hollow a pea jacket at the waist, sheath the trunk case of a Wardrobe with a creaser, smooth a shoe upper to perfection, scour the contours of a Craquantes jewel, coat the arms of a pair of glasses, file the bevels of a Tambour movement.... Gestures speak. Instruments confer. Words are silent. Passion is revealed.
Bruno Aveillan brings his artist's eye to the House's know-how, passing it on in turn, in his own way.