Cover The Louis Vuitton exclusive event promises a rare opportunity to explore iconic creations and discover unexpected delights in the brand’s signature style (photo: Louis Vuitton)

From their origins as practical 19th-century luggage, Louis Vuitton trunks have been reimagined time and again—evolving into enduring icons of a luxurious lifestyle. They speak to dreams, elegance and a steafast legacy.

This May, Louis Vuitton honours its rich heritage of craftsmanship with a special showcase celebrating trunks, furniture and the limitless possibilities of imagination. What began as purely functional designs, crafted with expertise and foresight, has now evolved into icons of refined living, blending artistry with utility. This exclusive event promises an immersive experience, offering a rare opportunity to explore iconic creations and discover unexpected delights in the signature Louis Vuitton style. Tatler Vietnam invites you to experience it firsthand.

Read more: Leading with intention: Kristina Romanova’s green vision for Aman’s Hotels And Resorts

Journey to inspire creativity

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Above Hailing from a humble village in France’s Jura region, Louis Vuitton arrived in Paris driven by determination (photo: Louis Vuitton)

Louis Vuitton trunks are far more than storage—they are emblems of art de vivre, where creativity knows no limits. From 19th-century cobblestones to the opulence of today’s grand tours, each piece whispers of wonder, polish and discovery. Hailing from a humble village in France’s Jura region, Louis Vuitton arrived in Paris driven by determination. At just 16, he began an apprenticeship with master craftsman Romain Maréchal, absorbing a deep reverence for artisanry and innovation. By 1854, when he opened the Maison on rue Neuve-des-Capucines, he wasn’t just launching a label—he was defining a lifestyle.

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Above Vuitton’s genius was in sensing the shifts of his era (photo: Louis Vuitton)
Tatler Asia
Above Vuitton’s genius was in sensing the shifts of his era (photo: Louis Vuitton)

Vuitton’s genius was in sensing the shifts of his era. As steamships and railways ushered in a new age of exploration, he recognised that luggage must be both durable and expressive. With the water-repellent Gris Trianon canvas and a then-radical flat-topped form, he elevated the trunk to an objet d’art. These were not just cases to transport possessions—they carried the aspirations of travellers, artists and aristocrats alike. Each became a passport to enchantment, telling a tale crafted in elegance and imagination.

Read more: The Mon Monogram in Louis Vuitton history: From simple symbol to distinct heritage

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Above The Asnières atelier—Louis Vuitton’s beating heart—is where the seemingly impossible takes form (photo: Louis Vuitton)

The Asnières atelier—Louis Vuitton’s beating heart—is where the seemingly impossible takes form. For over 150 years, it has produced bespoke trunks ranging from explorer Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza’s bed trunk to medical cases, and even boxing trunks—crafted in collaboration with luminaries such as Damien Hirst and Karl Lagerfeld. Each creation upholds the Maison’s quiet promise: no dream is too ambitious, no request too intricate. These trunks transcend utility, standing as heirlooms of timeless luxury, where artistry and function travel side by side.

Icon designs

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A l'etroit dans ses frontieres, le Vieux Continent part a la conquete de nouvelles terres. La malle-lit, un des objets cultes de la Maison Louis Vuitton, fut creee vers 1868, avant l'expedition au Congo de Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza. Mais tres vite, la popularite de ce dernier fit connaitre la malle sous le nom de  malle Brazza . L'explorateur a commande a Louis Vuitton plusieurs creations originales d'objets de voyage, dont un bureau portatif pourvu d'une case secrete - Trunk-bed in striped canvas, circa 1
Above The Malle Lit, created in 1868 and patented in 1885, stands as a refined example of technical ingenuity, designed for explorers and those drawn to faraway places (photo: Louis Vuitton)
A l'etroit dans ses frontieres, le Vieux Continent part a la conquete de nouvelles terres. La malle-lit, un des objets cultes de la Maison Louis Vuitton, fut creee vers 1868, avant l'expedition au Congo de Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza. Mais tres vite, la popularite de ce dernier fit connaitre la malle sous le nom de  malle Brazza . L'explorateur a commande a Louis Vuitton plusieurs creations originales d'objets de voyage, dont un bureau portatif pourvu d'une case secrete - Trunk-bed in striped canvas, circa 1

The Malle Lit, created in 1868 and patented in 1885, stands as a refined example of technical ingenuity, designed for explorers and those drawn to faraway places. Its recent reissue features the classic Monogram canvas, with a folding bed frame crafted in aluminium and oak—a fitting nod to both elegance and utility.

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Above The Courrier Lozine 110, lined in Monogram canvas with calfskin and polished metal accents, evokes the golden age of trave (photo: Louis Vuitton)
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Above Far more than luggage, it captures a legacy of exploration, refinement and personal adventure (photo: Louis Vuitton)

The Courrier Lozine 110, lined in Monogram canvas with calfskin and polished metal accents, evokes the golden age of travel. Far more than luggage, it captures a legacy of exploration, refinement and personal adventure.

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Above The Secrétaire 2.0 Writing Desk, inspired by a 1929 commission for conductor Leopold Stokowski, reinvents the concept of a mobile office (photo: Louis Vuitton)
Tatler Asia
Above With its foldaway desk, discreet stool and integrated storage, it balances purpose with poise (photo: Louis Vuitton)

The Secrétaire 2.0 Writing Desk, inspired by a 1929 commission for conductor Leopold Stokowski, reinvents the concept of a mobile office. With its foldaway desk, discreet stool and integrated storage, it balances purpose with poise. Artisan Manon Bouvier’s straw marquetry brings a mesmerising play of light across the surface, transforming the piece into a striking objet d’art.

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Above The iconic Boîte Chapeau returns as a statement in timeless travel and effortless chic (photo: Louis Vuitton)

The iconic Boîte Chapeau returns as a statement in timeless travel and effortless chic. Meanwhile, everyday luxuries are reimagined: the Premium Tea Chest and Cigar Chest turn familiar rituals into curated experiences, reflecting the Maison’s meticulous savoir-faire.

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Above The Cocktail Chest and Champagne Box evoke celebratory indulgence (photo: Louis Vuitton)
Tatler Asia
Above The Cocktail Chest and Champagne Box evoke celebratory indulgence (photo: Louis Vuitton)

Designed for discerning collectors, the Watch Chest provides an elegant home for timepieces, while the Golf Chest blends classic design with contemporary flair. The Cocktail Chest and Champagne Box evoke celebratory indulgence, and the Jewellery Chest alongside the 8 Watch Box offer refined storage for treasures. The Flower Chest adds a poetic flourish, while the Letter Chest and Arc de Triomphe reinterpret storage as interior art.

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Above Each piece adds a chapter to the Maison’s continuing narrative of craftsmanship and style (photo: Louis Vuitton)

In closing, the Speedy Trunk and Neo Wallet Trunk pay tribute to archival designs with a modern sensibility—uniting legacy, functionality and the spirit of elevated living. Each piece adds a chapter to the Maison’s continuing narrative of craftsmanship and style.

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