Since the beginning, travel has been the object of Louis Vuitton ad campaigns, featuring the sublime pictures of photographer Jean Larivière. His images remain indelibly sealed in our memories of the Vuitton brand. To such an extent that Vuitton is paying homage to his work with a treasure chest in his honor. A suitcase – what a suitcase! – designed to transport his prints making them easily accessible for exhibition anywhere on the planet!

Designed in collaboration with the photographer, this precious object is covered with the designer’s identifiable squares, signed by the artist in silver.

Opening it, one finds an author’s print on platinum with a laser signature. Then, like a Russian doll, the suitcase reveals its different levels. Under the platinum is a small luxuriously printed book that tells the story of the photographer’s work for the brand with a portrait by Emmanuel Hermange. It leaves room for a portfolio of prints from some of Larivière’s most memorable stories for Vuitton. Another level reveals a few of the artists’ personal creations including Stabile from 1963, La ville volante and l’Entêté from 1969 and Le Cercle, a color print from 2003.

The third level, covered in red velour, includes a unique platinum print made by Marc Bruhat of La porte d’hélicoptère. The final level includes a sculpture to build. Platinum pieces designed by Jean Larivière that, when put together, make a stand to hold the prints from the suitcase’s first level. Only 49 editions of this object will be available to the public. It can be purchased or admired at Vuitton stores around the globe: Paris, London, the Beijing Museum, New York, Tokyo, Moscow.

Bernard Perrine
Bernard.Perrine1@orange.fr