"Show me your luggage and I'll tell you who you are.”
This Louis Vuitton advertising slogan from 1921 captures the deeply personal relationship travelers have with the trunks and luggage that accompany them across the world. More than practical objects, Louis Vuitton trunks became expressions of identity, ambition, and style—custom creations designed for the unique needs of their owners.
Louis Vuitton: 100 Legendary Trunks traces the history of the iconic travel trunk through 100 extraordinary commissions created by the maison for artists, writers, aristocrats, couturiers, explorers, and cultural icons. Authors Pierre Léonforte and Éric Pujalet-Plaà present some of the finest trunks ever produced by Louis Vuitton, including pieces made for Douglas Fairbanks, Sharon Stone, Jeanne Lanvin, Karl Lagerfeld, Ernest Hemingway, Leopold Stokowski, and Damien Hirst.
Drawing extensively from the Louis Vuitton archives, this lavishly illustrated volume follows the evolution of the trunk from the age of steamships and rail travel to its status as one of the world's most recognizable symbols of luxury and craftsmanship. Illustrated with more than 600 archival images and specially commissioned photographs, the book offers an unparalleled look at the maison's most inventive and beautiful creations.
From wardrobe trunks, writing desks, and library trunks to highly specialized cases designed for travel, sport, entertainment, and everyday life, each object reveals a remarkable combination of practicality and innovation. Rich commentary explores the technical and aesthetic breakthroughs that transformed luggage design, including lightweight stackable trunks, signature materials, ingenious locking systems, and countless custom solutions developed for discerning clients.
Beyond showcasing legendary commissions and their famous owners, the book reveals the craftsmanship behind every piece, uncovering the materials, techniques, tools, and expertise that made Louis Vuitton trunks exceptional. The result is both a history of travel and a celebration of the artisanship that helped elevate travel itself into an art form.
Featuring a preface by Patrick-Louis Vuitton, descendant of the founder and longtime steward of the house's heritage, Louis Vuitton: 100 Legendary Trunks is an essential volume for readers interested in fashion, design, craftsmanship, luxury history, and the enduring allure of travel.