Louis Vuitton, founder of the now famous French fashion house Louis Vuitton, would have turned 200 years old this August. To celebrate, his Louis Vuitton empire – which started out as a leather goods outfit in 1854 – has tapped a bevy of creatives to interpret and reimagine the iconic Louis Vuitton trunk, recognised for its Damier monogram.
Dubbed “200 Louis”, Louis Vuitton has enlisted 200 global makers from a vast array of cultural fields and industries – including fashion, media, art and technology – inviting them to recreate their own rendition of the iconic trunk, either as a physical or digital object (because NFTs are so hot right now).
Those involved in the bicentennial collaboration include LVMH designers Virgil Abloh, Marc Jacobs and Kim Jones; music artist Drake; K-pop band BTS; journalist Gloria Steinem; media streetwear platform Hypebeast; fashion designer NIGO; architect Frank Gehry; and floral artist Mr. Flower Fantastic, among many others.
The company plans to release a book featuring its 200 partnerships while auctioning off the trunks for charity through Sotheby’s. Louis Vuitton has also pledged 10,000 euros to charity, after contributors were given a list of 15 global arts education non-profits to designate their donation.
In the meantime, from August 4 (Mr. Vuitton’s birthday), images of the collaborative trunks will be displayed in Louis Vuitton store windows for 100 days. Louis Vuitton’s Fifth Avenue store in New York will feature a gargantuan digital image of the designer, with an accompanying graphic reading ‘Happy Birthday Louis’. Make a wish, Louis.
See also: Louis Vuitton turns 200: Get to know the legend behind the brand