BACK TO THE FUTURE

Louis Vuitton’s seminal wardrobe trunk has travelled across time and morphed into a growing range of futuristic-looking accessories—each a status symbol in its own right.

Portrait of Tammy Strobel

LOUIS VUITTON’S SEMINAL WARDROBE TRUNK HAS TRAVELLED ACROSS TIME AND MORPHED INTO A GROWING RANGE OF FUTURISTIC-LOOKING ACCESSORIES—EACH A STATUS SYMBOL IN ITS OWN RIGHT

PETITE MALLE

Inotrduced during Nicolas Ghesquière’s debut at Louis Vuitton, the Petite Malle quickly shot to fame as the definitive bag that heralded a new era in Vuitton’s history. Don’t be fooled by its size: Measuring 18.5 by 12 cm, the compact Petite Malle packs a mighty big punch. The ingenious design of the bag also means you can carry around a piece of the French Maison’s heritage with stylish ease—the Petite Malle uses the same 150-year-old technique and tools used in the Asnieres workshop that creates Vuitton’s trunks.

Toile Ski Petite Malle, $7,900
Toile Ski Petite Malle, $7,900
LV TRUNKIES ACCUMULATION

There is costume jewellery, and there is high jewellery. Combine both, and you get a show-stopping piece that is truly museum quality. The LV Trunkies Accumulation is a sculptural, head-turning necklace that’s made out of the iconic trunk’s signature corners in gold, palladium and Sawrovski crystals.

LV Trunkies Accumulation necklace, $3,900
LV Trunkies Accumulation necklace, $3,900
SUPPLE RIGID

Inspired by Vuitton’s heritage Boîte Flacons, first launched in the 1900s as a beauty case to store women’s essentials on their travels, Ghesquière has reimagined the iconic trunk into a functional handbag that solidifies the reputation of its artisans. Boasting a Toron top handle, studded rigid top, an extra supple canvas body and a signature trunk lock, each bag takes almost 10 hours to produce in the historic Asnieres workshop.

Supple Rigid PM in Monogram, $7,500
Supple Rigid PM in Monogram, $7,500
LV FIFTY FIVE

The launch of the LV Fifty Five watch puts a horological twist to Vuitton’s trunk history. Adapted from past aluminium reiterations of the luggage, the LV Fifty Five comes with engraved metal plaques reminiscent of those found on the trunks. The LV Fifty Five Monogram World Tour watch—the line’s latest release—comes in Vuitton’s signature Monogram strap, but with graphic patches made to resemble suitcase stickers collected from years of travel.

LV Fifty Five Monogram World Tour 36mm watch, $6,650
LV Fifty Five Monogram World Tour 36mm watch, $6,650