Seven seminal Louis Vuitton trunk designs

When Joan Collins flies – she has her set of Louis Vuitton trunks collected from her home, and sent straight to her hotel. No struggling through speedy boarding required. The quintessential travel icon, the LV trunk has been inspiring our collective wanderlust for almost two centuries.

The first Vuitton trunk was introduced in 1858 by Louis Vuitton at his Rue Neuve des Capucines atelier in Paris. Notable for its flat top and bottom, it stood out amongst the designs of the day – allowing for easy stacking and transportation.

By 1896, Vuitton’s song George had transformed the trunk by introducing the signature LV Monogram canvas.  Influenced by the Oriental design aesthetics of the late Victorian era, the graphic flower and quatrefoil print are now the very DNA of the brand today.

Over the years, the iconic design has seen many reinventions from Supreme’s much hyped 2017 collab, to Damien Hirst’s cow-hide version.  As we anticipate Virgil Abloh’s Paris debut for menswear later this week, take a look back at seven of the maison’s most memorable luggage designs below courtesy of Assouline’s Volez Voguez Voyagez.

Vise trunk in Monogram canvas, 1913, Louis Vuitton collection
Gaston-Louis Vuitton library trunk in Monogram canvas, 1936, Louis Vuitton collection
Medical cabinet in natural cow-hide leather, by Damien Hirst, 2009, Louis Vuitton collection
Autoski car trunk in Vuittonite canvas, 1924, Louis Vuitton collection
Wardrobe trunk in Vuittonite canvas, once belonging to Lili Damita, 1928, Louis Vuitton collection
Special photographer's trunk in Vuittonite canvas, owned by Albert Kahn, 1929, Louis Vuitton collection
Cabin trunk in Damier canvas, once belonging to the Nadar studio, 1890