Louis Vuitton and the Bicentennial
There is a lot going on for Louis Vuitton in the year of our lord two hundred and one. The brand has launched a bicentennial campaign, “Louis 200,” to mark the anniversary. This entails the creation of a traveling trunk show, which features the work of 200 creatives. Some of the names on the list include rapper Drake, singer and actor Kanye West, and architect Peter Marino. Others include cognitive scientist Scott Barry Kaufman, drag queen GiGi Goode, and fashion designer Marc Jacobs.
Louis Vuitton’s 200 Trunks 200 Visionaries exhibition first debuted in Asnieres-sur-Seine, France, in December. The exhibit is currently residing at 468 North Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. It is part of LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton’s pop-up space in the city. In addition to the exhibition, a temporary revival of the restaurant Fred’s will be taking place. A balloon sculpture, a “Louis” cake, and a floatable concrete sculpture are also on display.
Obviously, the most exciting thing about this event is the 200 trunks that were created by more than 200 designers, artists, and other creatives. Louis Vuitton has announced that it will auction off some of the pieces, and proceeds will go to charities that focus on creative education. These organizations range from a group that gives young people from underserved communities an arts education to a global arts organization that encourages young people to make art.
The company has also created an interactive website to showcase its efforts. The website will be an extension of the company’s aforementioned 200 Trunks 200 Visionaries campaign. Through this program, the house is donating ten thousand euros to a global arts education nonprofit for every trunk it sells.
In addition to its traveling trunk show, Louis Vuitton has released a 200-trunk homage to its founder. These trunks were designed by 194 visionaries in fields ranging from architecture to design to fashion. Some of the best ones were inspired by Louis himself, such as Frank Gehry’s imagined tea party for the renowned founder.
The name of the game with the 200 Trunks 200 Visionaries was to come up with the most impressive product, which was not only innovative but also functional. The original idea was to use an open brief and let creators pick what they wanted to do with the trunks. They were encouraged to experiment with all sorts of mediums and techniques, so they did not have to use the standard materials of leather, canvas, and wood. However, the trunks themselves were designed in a style that is unique to Louis Vuitton.
Although the “Louis” was the best and most exciting of the bunch, the “200 Trunks” was actually the most innovative. It was a great way to celebrate the company’s 200th birthday, while at the same time offering its customers an innovative new experience. By creating an interactive website, the brand is allowing its users to take part in a unique event. It is even possible to buy a replica of the 200 trunks that were donated to these nonprofits.