Louis Vuitton Vintage

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Asnières, The Heart of Louis Vuitton

Since Louis Vuitton first settled in Asnières-sur-Seine, the House that carries his name has expanded to incredible places and designed exciting creations.

The Focal Point of Louis Vuitton Savoir-Faire

The exceptional savoir-faire of the Asnières artisans is such that even today, key pieces are created here: rigid trunks, designs in rare or exotic leathers, special orders.

These one-off designs strive for perfection by bringing together technical innovation and quintessential style.

The Atelier: Past, Present, Future

The Asnières atelier is the House's true hub and puts its soul into the creation of every special order. The family's sons all learned the art of trunk-making here, including Patrick-Louis Vuitton, who is in charge of these special orders.

To this day, each dream finds its special case as long as it can be transported. Shower-trunks, iPad trunks, or even one-off violin trunks… Travel remains at the heart of the House, where refinement is born of careful precision and attention to detail.

Construction of a tailor-made structure in poplar wood, the application of cement, canvas, lozine, metal corners and screws, malletage… Timeless gestures which express an inspirational magic.

Artistic Director of Women's Collections Nicolas Ghesquière imagined the Petite Malle, a way of reinventing the trunk, the House's absolute symbol.

Galerie in Movement

All of Louis Vuitton's archives are always meticulously conserved to keep precious objects and documents in the best possible conditions.

Clients records, sales registers, posters and original photographs are kept alongside trunks, suitcases, bags, and ready-to-wear collections.

The “Galerie” boasts the personal possessions of princes and maharajas, film stars and couturiers as well as anonymous clients who hold the same, uppermost appreciation for fine craftsmanship.

Highlight the House's history, reveal the excellence of our products and the expertise of our artisans, underline the continued relevance and the modernity of Louis Vuitton... these were some of the challenges that we sought to tackle in this creative, playful and timeless space.

The exhibition is curated to allow free roaming with no specific order, though elements are grouped according to themes: globalization, client relations, the Monogram, nature, the avant-garde…

During her research through the House's archives, curator Judith Clark discovered rare gems such as the Patéki wooden cube puzzle, a game created by Gaston-Louis Vuitton and which served as the inspiration behind Clark's choice of scenography.

A Legendary History

How It All Began

When he was only sixteen years old, Louis Vuitton made a decision that would not only change his own life but the lives of his sons and future generations: he would become a trunk-master.

Louis Vuitton’s heritage as a trunk maker preceded even the founding of the company. It was in 1837 that a 16-year-old Louis Vuitton arrived in Paris by foot and started apprenticing for Monsieur Maréchal.

At the time, horse-drawn carriages, boats and trains were the main modes of transportation, and baggage was handled roughly. Travelers called upon craftsmen to pack and protect their individual objects.

Louis Vuitton quickly became a valued craftsman at the Parisian atelier of Monsieur Maréchal. These were the roots of his highly specialized trade; the beginnings of his career in an artisanal industry that called upon skills to custom design boxes and, later, trunks according to clients’ wishes. Louis Vuitton stayed for 17 years before opening his own workshop at 4 Rue Neuve-des-Capucines near the Place Vendome.

Asnières: A Legendary Workshop

Both a family residence and the cradle of the company, the Asnières site has been the symbol of the Vuitton family's personal and commercial success since 1859.

The early success of Louis Vuitton meant he had to expand his operations. This lead to the 1859 opening of his atelier in Asnières. Just northeast of the center of Paris, the workshop started with 20 employees. In 1900, there were nearly 100 people and by 1914 there were 225.

The original atelier has been expanded throughout the decades including the addition of the Vuitton family residence but it is still where products are crafted today. 

While the family home has been preserved and is part of a private museum, 170 craftsmen work in the Asnières workshop, designing and creating leather goods and special orders for clients around the world.

An Unpickable Lock

In 1886, Georges Vuitton revolutionized luggage locks with an ingenious closing system that turned travel trunks into real treasure chests.

The Tumbler Lock

In the 1900s, travelers carried all their essentials inside wardrobes and flat trunks—which, unfortunately, often attracted burglars. Master trunk maker, Louis Vuitton sought to help his clients protect the goods inside their travel pieces. In 1886, father and son, Georges, adopted a single lock system with two spring buckles. After several years of development, George patented this revolutionary system and it was so effective, he challenged Harry Houdini, the great American escape artist, in a public newspaper to escape from a Vuitton box and lock. Houdini didn’t rise to the challenge, but the lock’s effectiveness is indisputable. It is still used today.

100 th Anniversary

The Brand Asked Six Designers To Create Original Pieces To Celebrate The Iconic Canvas That Was Created Over A Century Ago: The Monogram.

To celebrate the 100 th anniversary of the Monogram canvas in 1996, Louis Vuitton invited select designers to create unique pieces of luggage.

The resulting collection was then exhibited in the world’s great capitals, bringing the brand’s spirit of innovation and collaboration to fashion lovers across the globe.

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