Louis Vuitton’s 200th Anniversary: Heritage, Artistic Expression & Video Games
Luggage may have been the first sector in fashion approached by Maison Louis Vuitton, but it certainly wasn’t the last. Last week marked the 200th anniversary of its founder and creative director Louis Vuitton (not to be mistaken for the fashion house which is named after him), and to celebrate, the brand has launched an immersive video game. Its brand-new visual concepts explore the founder in an unprecedented documentary celebrating his artistic vision and achievements in fashion.
According to Wonderland Magazine, the player is introduced to six innovative and transpirational worlds that take them on an action-packed adventure in an immersive video game environment. Within these worlds, players can explore Vuitton’s extensive history and creative vision, through interactive, “seamless storytelling and fun-filled NFTs.” On the Louis Vuitton website, you can learn more about the visionaries that are impacting the luxury fashion company and the history behind their progression. Shown through a digital magazine concept, you can find out about “how it all began” for 16-year-old Louis Vuitton, who decided that he would “not only change his own life, but the lives of his sons and future generations by becoming a trunk-master.”
Louis Vuitton: A Brief History Lesson
In 1837, Louis Vuitton arrived in Paris to become an apprentice to trunk-maker Monsieur Maréchal. At the time, leather goods were predominant in the industry, with horse-drawn carriages and (very) early train travel being their main modes of transportation. Without leather trunks, items and garments would get heavily damaged, so the unique selling point of leather was exclusive and in demand. Vuitton quickly became a master of his trade, learning to design and craft custom boxes and trunks. Due to the competitiveness of the leather industry and the difficulty in creating custom products in such a short space of time, Vuitton became a key part of the Monsieur Maréchal team for the next 17 years.
In 1854, Vuitton opened his first workshop at 4 Rue Neuve-des-Capucines, near the Place Vendôme in Paris. His skillset and level of expertise meant that he wanted to embark on his own solo enterprise, but it was only in 1858 that his success story truly began. It was during this year that he introduced his flat-top Trianon canvas trunk - lightweight, airtight, and for the first time ever, easily stackable for long voyages. This led to many imitators copying his work, which built a unique reputation and obtained early success.
In 1859, the company moved site to Asnières, a suburb a few miles outside of Paris. Providing both a home for his family and a new headquarters for the business, the site remains a symbol of the Vuitton brand’s heritage and success to this day, with over 170 craftsmen currently working on-site to create special orders for important clients.
In 1886, Vuitton introduced an unpickable lock as a unique selling point for his business. With safety a primary concern for the brand’s wealthy clients, the effectiveness of the lock remains undisputed and is still used today in all Vuitton luggage. To prove its effectiveness, Louis Vuitton challenged Harry Houdini to escape from one of his trunks. Although Houdini did not accept the invitation, Vuitton’s challenge certainly did not taint the brand’s expansive climb to fame and luxury.
In 1892, Louis Vuitton passed away, and the company management passed to his son Georges. Many expect the original founder Louis Vuitton to have been the person to create the iconic monogram that elevated his brand’s success, but in fact, it was Georges’ 1896 campaign to turn Louis Vuitton into an international brand that was the turning point. It was this move that cemented the status of Louis Vuitton luggage as among the most famous – and widely copied - designs in the world.
Louis Vuitton was a man of skill, determination, and conviction, and it was this which led to his brand’s unprecedented triumph. Without his undying love for luggage and everything travel, Maison Louis Vuitton would not be the international success story and worldwide fashion influence that it is today.
Available in English or Chinese from 4th August 2021, via the Apple App Store or Google Play, Louis Vuitton’s transgenerational game is a refreshing take on an anniversary celebration - one which combines heritage, art innovation and, ultimately, fun.
