Antique Louis Vuitton trunks become storytellers of modern human history

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

Lifestyle

Mon, December 4, 2023 | 17:42

Antique Louis Vuitton trunks become storytellers of modern human history

Posted : 2022-03-21 17:08

Updated : 2022-03-23 12:43

Installation of the exhibition, "Legendary Louis Vuitton Trunks the Exhibition," at the Timewalk Myeongdong in central Seoul / Courtesy of LMPE Company

Exhibition shows luxury trunks designed for unique purposes, tailored for owners

By Park Han-sol

The history of Louis Vuitton's trunks began in 1858 with the debut of its first flat-topped luggage that was lighter, waterproof, and most importantly, stackable ― a radical departure from the then-popular, heavier leather trunk with a dome top.

Originally designed based on the founder's profession as a master box-maker and packer for the French aristocracy, Louis Vuitton trunks began to include a number of both functional and decorative features as time went by, including the elastic bands that can fasten paper documents, compartments and shelves, as well as the brand's signature monogram.

Amid the golden age of travel throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, marked by the emergence of locomotives, automobiles, ocean liners and airplanes, this luxury luggage became an ideal travel companion for many, especially political heavyweights and cultural icons, as the portable chest of essentials and cherished possessions.

Installation of the exhibition, "Legendary Louis Vuitton Trunks the Exhibition" / Courtesy of LMPE Company

And it is these original antique suitcases containing traces of modern human history, with the oldest dating back to the 1870s, which have been brought to Korea for the first time at the Asian premiere of "Legendary Louis Vuitton Trunks the Exhibition" at the Timewalk Myeongdong in central Seoul.

From the former U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt's wardrobe trunk to the suitcase owned by the survivors of Titanic, more than 200 handcrafted pieces of luggage and artifacts on display come from a collection amassed by the Swedish private collector Magnus Malm.

Trunks that traveled on one of the White Star Lines ships, including the HMHS Britannic, RMS Olympic and the RMS Titanic / Courtesy of LMPE Company

"These trunks actually have a story and we would like to tell the story to people. It might be easy to think that a trunk is just a trunk, but it has a story behind it and that is what you'll see," Stefan Papangelis, CEO of the show's host, Nordic Exhibitions & Events, said at a recent press conference.

He added that these suitcases, in fact, make up one of the largest private collections in the world, with some so rare that only one or two models were ever made or survived.

Ernest Hemingway's library trunk / Korea Times photo by Park Han-sol

Among all Louis Vuitton luggage items on view, some of the most noteworthy are those once owned by celebrities and academics who became cultural icons of the 20th century. The trunks containing their tools of the trade have become a visual extension of their distinct personalities and identities.

Nobel-winning novelist Ernest Hemingway's library trunk is one of them. His expeditions around the world would be accompanied by a suitcase specially designed to cope with his demands. It was able to hold up to 80 books and had its own built-in typewriter he could take out on a whim. During nights spent out on safari or any place that came unfurnished, the trunk could even be converted into a portable writing desk.

Actress and singer Judy Garland, best known for her role of Dorothy Gale in the 1939 musical film "The Wizard of Oz," would bring a piece of luggage solely purposed for carrying her favorite LPs for any musical inspiration that may hit her during her travels. Another must-have item was her shoe trunk, which, as its name indicates, stored her multiple pairs of shoes and silk stockings.

A casino trunk on display / Korea Times photo by Park Han-sol

Perhaps one of the most flamboyant piece that visitors might appreciate at the exhibition is the American fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger's casino trunk that once stowed all the accessories needed for fun games or gambling. Specifically, it had built-in drawers and compartments filled with cards, chips and even felt rugs that could be taken out at any time for a game of poker, bridge, blackjack or roulette.

However, even without being owned by famous people, some suitcases are fascinating simply due to their intended purpose ― a cigar trunk, caviar trunk, birthday cake trunk, rifle trunk, hat trunk and doll trunk, just to name but a few.

With international trips still largely stifled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, viewers' longing for travel could perhaps be partially satisfied through the stories told by the luggage items that have already seen the world.

"Legendary Louis Vuitton Trunks the Exhibition" runs until Aug. 21 at the Timewalk Myeongdong.

hansolp@koreatimes.co.kr