Louis Vuitton’s Bespoke Trunks For The Australian Open Are A Piece Of Fashion History

Kenneth Goh reports from Melbourne, as the legendary Louis Vuitton trunk makes its way Down Under to crown the best in the world of tennis.

By Kenneth Goh - published 13 May 2024

Walking into the Rod Laver arena at the Australian Open in Melbourne was truly a dream come true. A die-hard tennis fan since I was a kid, I’ve always loved playing the game in the park. That simple act of hitting a ball across a net in a space divided by tramlines outlined in perfect white was etched in my mind from a tender age and left an indelible mark.

Fast track now on a hot balmy evening in Melbourne, sitting in a stadium filled to the rafters with fans from all across the world, the excitement is palpable. I’m here to watch the women’s and men’s finals. But I’m also watching a piece of fashion history being brought out to centre court. A large, gleaming monogrammed trunk is wheeled out before the match, and it is stunning. Louis Vuitton’s bespoke Trophy Trunks at the 2024 Australian Open are a sight to behold. The Maison’s rich history of creating iconic trunks taking centre stage as elegant masterpieces, only matched by the skill of champions of the tennis world. These trunks are still handmade in Louis Vuitton’s historic studios in Asnières, France, then shipped across to Melbourne to house the prestigious Daphne Akhurst and Norman Brookes trophies at the Australian Open.

Crafted by skilled artisans who embody the Maison’s heritage of fine craftsmanship, these trunks feature the iconic Monogram canvas, classic lozine leather trim, and brass hardware that pay homage to Louis Vuitton’s storied legacy. The design elements, such as the striking white V painted on the front panels symbolising “Victory” and “Vuitton”, along with the blue microfibre lining reflecting the tournament’s signature blue courts, exemplify the brand’s dedication to precision and artistry.

In its distinguished role as the Official Trophy Trunk Partner for the Australian Open, Louis Vuitton collaborated closely with Tennis Australia to bring these bespoke cases to life. This partnership not only underscores Louis Vuitton’s enduring connection to the world of tennis, but also builds on the Maison’s legacy of crafting exquisite travel cases for prestigious trophies across a spectrum of renowned sporting events, including the Fifa World Cup, Ballon d’Or, Rugby World Cup, NBA Championship Trophy, Formula One’s Grand Prix de Monaco, League of Legends and the America’s Cup.

Delving into the roots of Louis Vuitton’s legacy, you will see the visionary spirit of founder Louis Vuitton, whose groundbreaking innovations revolutionised luggage design in the 19th century. The Asnières atelier still stands as a testament to Louis Vuitton’s legacy, where skilled artisans continue to produce exceptional pieces tailored to the unique needs of discerning clients, from explorer trunks to bespoke cases for icons in fashion, literature and the arts.

Dedication to innovation is exemplified through its collaborations with artists and designers, such as Yayoi Kusama, the late great Virgil Abloh, and of course, Nicolas Ghesquière.

Whether reimagining iconic trunks for tennis champions or conceptualising innovative creations inspired by modern artists, Louis Vuitton’s legacy of excellence endures, ensuring that victory always travels in style. Now maybe, just maybe, this tennis fan with his wide-eyed wonder might just blend the best of both worlds, and order himself a pretty monogrammed box to house all his dreams.

Read on to find out what goes into the making of Louis Vuitton’s bespoke Trophy Trunks.

WOODWORK

Wood is the House’s DNA and three types of wood are used: Poplar (low density) for the support framework, okoume or gabon—a light, resistant African wood—for the trunk body and lid, and beech for the decorative and reinforcing laths. These woods are used to produce items of hard-sided luggage that are made exclusively in the Asnières workshops.

INTERIOR DRESSING: COTTON CANVAS

Once the frame and interior carcass have been developed for the trunk, they then move on to a cotton canvas dressing. This cotton canvas is glued to the inside and the outside of the trunk case (an exclusive process created by Louis Vuitton)—linking the lid to the bottom of the trunk and acting as a hinge. In smaller trunks, the cotton canvas is used instead of metal hinges, which are both heavy and could possibly damage the trunk. In the larger trunks, the cotton canvas protects the wood from the metal work.

EXTERIOR DRESSING

To dress the exterior of a trunk, the canvas must be cut into the correct sizes for each part. Louis Vuitton performs two types of cutting: manual and machine cutting. Manual cutting involves placing large metal moulds bearing razor-sharp edges on the materials. This proved to be very labour intensive and is now used mostly for precious exotic skins and thicker leathers. A special machine was developed for Louis Vuitton to enable expert machine cutting, executed by a computer, always with the expertise of the human eye, which is essential in positioning the material in order to align with the flaws in the leather and the pattern on the canvas. The wooden frame is covered with the cut canvas pieces—a particularly meticulous operation where the pattern on the canvas must be perfectly aligned along every seam and join. The leather or canvas is glued to the exterior with slow-drying adhesive.

INTERNAL LINING

The interior is lined with different materials according to the model (for example Vuittonnit or cotton canvas). Special attention is needed for tiny compartments such as drawers and tiny shelves.

THE “LOZINE”

Lozine is a Vuitton word, describing a vulcanised fibre that is used for the protective edging of a trunk. This composite material, unique to Louis Vuitton, gives the luggage a watertight seal, where it is then positioned along the edging. For the lozine to be fixed in place, it must first be hole-punched with an awl, then hammered down with slim studs. Approximately 500 to 1,000 studs are used for one trunk.

METALWORK

This includes the fitting of the lock, the brass corners, buckles, handles and traditional riveting. Asnières is the only workshop where tumbler locks are made according to traditional know-how. In 1890, Georges Vuitton invented a five-tumbler system lock. Today, six tumblers are used. Clients are given a personal lock number and may ask for a single key to open all their luggage.