In 1896, an icon was born. Literally.
Georges Vuitton inherited the Louis Vuitton fashion house from his father, who had founded it 42 years earlier in his own name. However, it wasn’t until Georges designed the ‘LV’ monogram as a homage to his father, that the brand evolved from a source of conveniently-shaped suitcases to the largest travel-goods store in the world.
Today, the brand is worth over $28 billion. It is the most valuable luxury brand, and 34th overall.
There can be little doubt that much of this has to do with the monogram: a symbol of quality, craftsman ship, style, and standing.
In 2014, Louis Vuitton launched the Celebrating Monogram project in recognition of this fact. They invited six of the world’s most innovative, unique ‘iconoclasts’ to design and produce a product featuring the monographic canvas.
Here are the results:
Marc Newson
Fleece Pack
Australian industrial designer Marc Newson is known for putting a personal spin on creations, which include private and commercial (and space) planes, jewellery, furniture, and more.
For Louis Vuitton, he created a fleece backpack, which highlighted the canvas’ ability to retain its shape under any condition.
“I wanted to explore the Monogram’s functional qualities. If you go back to the reason why the Monogram canvas was invented, it’s because it’s durable and it’s weather proof; but I wanted it to be fun as well – I don’t like when things take themselves too seriously.”
Designed specifically for women, the Fleece Pack is priced at $5900 USD.
Cindy Sherman
Studio in a Trunk
Probably the most practical design – and my personal favourite – Cindy Sherman’s Studio in a Trunk harks back to the very origin of the Louis Vuitton brand.
Though it certainly conjures images of the Vuitton trunks of old, it’s Sherman’s photographs of the piece that reveal the deeply personal inspiration behind the design. As does its contents.
“I have handwritten labels for all of the compartments: fake eyeballs, fake teeth… Who else is going to use those? Of course, anybody could put his or her underwear or t-shirts inside instead.”
Only 25 of the trunks were produced, and the price only available on request, which suggests a value well over $100,000 USD.
Rei Kawakubo
Bag with Holes
From the best, to certainly the most bizarre.
The founder of Comme des Garçons, Kawakubo set out with the intention to ‘break’ the iconic monogram.
“”Although there are various ways of breaking to create something new, this time I tried to play it straight: I simply made some holes in the fabric of the bag. I generally like small bags.”
Ironically, actually using the bag requires the implementation of the insert pouch that it comes with.
It is priced at $2790 USD.
Karl Lagerfeld
Punching Trunk
Certainly the inclusion that received the most attention, Karl Lagerfeld’s Punching Trunk includes the rounded trunk, a punching suitcase, punching gloves, a mat, and three sizes of punching bag.
It’s playful, practical, and just happened to align with Chanel’s launch of a boxing-themed pop up store in US luxury department store Bergdorf Goodman.
The entire set costs $175,000 USD. The bags and gloves can be purchased separately for between $3400 and $5900.
Frank Gehry
Twisted Box
Even without knowing the designer’s name, there’s certainly something about this creation that suggests the work of an architect.
Gehry, who designed the eclectic Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain (which, in the year of its launch, was considered the most important structure of its time), says he approached the project with an open mind.
“It all happened intuitively, it was not contrived. If I set out to design a handbag that fits in Louis Vuitton’s world, and works with Louis Vuitton’s customers, I think it would be contrived. This bag is playful, the experience of making it was playful, but in a serious way. I imagine there would be a lot of ‘establishment’ architects that would be snooty about me designing a handbag. That’s the best part!”
Celebrities including Rihanna and the Princess of Thailand have purchased a Twisted Box, which costs $4400.
Christian Louboutin
Shopping Caddy
Finally comes the Shopping Caddy, created by French footwear designer Christian Louboutin.
There’s a particularly feminine approach to his design, mirror the style that has made his high heeled shoes so popular around the world.
The red touches are inspired by the Japanese influences on Louis Vuitton and Louboutin’s trademark red sole.
The shopping caddy is valued at $23,300 USD, with the smaller shopping bag at $5150.
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