Sandra‘s Closet

«Volez! Voguez! Voyagez!» literally translates as «Fly! Sail! Travel!». Those three words written across a vintage Louis Vuitton advertisement poster summarize the spirit of the brand and are the title of an upcoming exhibition that will take place at the Grand Palais from 4th December 2015 till 21st February 2016.

Curated by Olivier Saillard, this exhibition retraces Louis Vuitton’s great journey from 1854 till today, through depictions of the Maison’s founding members and those who create the Louis Vuitton of tomorrow.

Monsieur Louis Vuitton

The Grand Palais was constructed in 1900 during one of the most spectacular Universal Exhibitions in Paris which welcomed 48 milllion visitors. At this turning point of the century, George Vuitton was in charge of organizing the entire section dedicated to “Travel & Leather goods“.

The Louis Vuitton booth, surprisingly in the shape of a merry-go-round, presented the Maison’s most innovative luggage and elegant bags and was the center of attention.

“Louis Vuitton has always been at the avant-garde of creation. More than a century after,
if Louis Vuitton remains at the helm of fashion, it’s because we continously inspire ourselves from
the past while anticipating trends of our times. For this exhibition, Olivier Saillard has immersed
himself in the archives of our Maison to decode its secrets. He delivers a fresh vision of our past, present and future“, says Michael Burke, CEO of Louis Vuitton.

The thematic journey conceived and designed by Robert Carsen navigates through 9 chapters, opening with the absolute symbol of Louis Vuitton: an antique malle. An innately modern design, it foresaw what were to become the Maison’s emblematic codes and epitomised Louis Vuitton’s audacious spirit. The exhibition presents objects and documents from Louis Vuitton’s Patrimony
as well as a selection of pieces lent by Palais Galliera, Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.
A section dedicated to Craftsmanship closes the exhibition.

SUMMARY OF THE 9 SECTIONS OF THE EXHIBITION

I. THE TRUNK OF 1906, an innovative design
II. WOOD, a gateway to freedom.
The roots of the Louis Vuitton house
III. THE CLASSIC TRUNKS, a catalogue
of refined canvases, shapes and locks

IV. THE INVENTION OF TRAVEL:
– The rise of yachts, a taste for cruises.
The inauguration of the Steamer bag
– The motor cars, speed at one’s fingertips
– The train, outbound travel

V. THE ABSENT HOUR,
fine writing in line with Louis Vuitton

Artist Cindy Sherman with the colorful trunk embellished with hotel labels she designed for Louis Vuitton.

VI. THE PORTAIN TRUNK,
a conversation with art
VII. ECCENTRIC/CURIOUS TRUNKS.
Gaston-Louis Vuitton’s antique personal collection

VIII. FASHION AND BEAUTY
– Beauty essentials, fine fragrances,
delicate jewellery boxes
– Celebrity luggage. Superstar trunks
– Elegant dandies, the men of today.
Examples of masculine luggage
– Fashion and design, a mirrored present day
IX. THE MUSIC ROOM.
Special orders, dreams are made of these

EXHIBITION DETAILS

GRAND PALAIS 4th December 2015 till 21st February 2016
Salon d’Honneur, Entrée Square Jean Perrin, Champs-Elysées, Avenue du Général Eisenhower,
Paris 8th
Monday, Thursday and Sunday, from 10am – 8pm
Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, from 10am – 10pm
Closed on Tuesdays except during school holidays
Free admission
AUDIO GUIDE
A mobile phone application allows visitors to enrich their tour.

As a big fan of the House of Louis Vuitton, I am truly looking forward to this exhibition.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: ©Archives Louis Vuitton Malletier

In 1854, Louis Vuitton opened his very first store in Paris, on the rue Neuve-des-Capucines. The house confirmed its attachment to the “City of Lights” in 1914 when his son Georges had a beautiful Art Nouveau-inspired building built on the Champs-Elysées, later to become LV’s flagship store. In 2010, the Parisian luxury house is staging an exhibition at the Musée Carnavalet, the most Parisian of the capital’s museums.

Around the iconic trunks and luggage brought together for the first time, the Carnavalet museum is showcasing the saga of Louis Vuitton, which has embodied the art of travel for more than 150 years. The visitors will discover the treasures of Louis Vuitton’s heritage collections, juxtaposed with works from the museum’s collections or other loaned pieces.

The famous trunk-maker has produced furnished sets in which the design of the form and the choice of materials were combined with technical know-how to develop a specific product or tailor it to its client’s tastes and requirements from the very first beginning. This is one of the house’s strength. It is a true pleasure to see all those different creations, an expertise of tradition and innovation, craftsmanship and creativity.

The exhibition is presented at the Musée Carnavalet – History of Paris, 23, rue de Sévigné, 75003 Paris from 13 October 2010 to 27 February 2011, open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm. Lecture visits are offered along with storytelling for younger visitors. For further information, please contact +33 1 44 59 58 58.

In case you cannot make it to Paris for the exhibition, I recommend the new book “Louis Vuitton: 100 legendary Trunks”, where all the travelers chronology of the house is recalled. It is a beautiful hommage to the Louis Vuitton trunk, the probably most iconic accessory in the world of luxury and travel. Published by Edition de la Martiniere (€100) and on sale in bookshops and at the exhibition sales desk.

LoL, Sandra

Limited edition available exclusively in LV stores, €140

Covered leather tea case, 1926 © Louis Vuitton / Patrick Gries, Photos: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton