MADE TO ORDER
Louis Vuitton extends its Art of Personalisation with a newly launched bespoke haute perfumery service
Ever since Louis Vuitton established his eponymous trunk-making business in 1854, the luxury maison has been known for creating highly personalised items for its distinguished clientele. This Art of Personalisation extends from trunks and special orders – such as the emblematic Desk-Trunk for the renowned conductor Leopold Stokowski and the Tea Service Trunk for the Maharaja of Baroda – to cases for FIFA, the French Open and the NBA’s championship trophies and, at long last, haute perfumery.
The newly launched service is designed to create a client’s “olfactory portrait” through an intimate collaboration with Louis Vuitton master perfumer Jacques Cavallier Belletrud, which is then composed by hand at the Atelier d’Art space within Les Fontaines Parfumées workshop in Grasse.
“I wanted to offer our clients the possibility of wearing a unique fragrance, made in my creative workshop,” Belletrud explains. “To me, this bespoke haute perfumery service represents the essence of the house, because ultra-personalisation has always been at the heart of Louis Vuitton.”
The months- long process begins with Belletrud inquiring as to a client’s tastes, memories, lifestyle and typical per fume habits. He then selects from his many exclusive raw materials to create a scent that best corresponds to the client’s personality. At last, the formula is refined and calibrated to exacting detail until a truly unique and made-to-measure composition is achieved.
While the finishing touches are done at Belletrud’s workshop in Grasse, the cradle of perfumery and leatherworking trades in France, another group of artisans gets to work on a special trunk at the house’s legendary workshop in Asnières. The personalisable showcase piece – in signature Louis Vuitton style with Monogram canvas, leather trim, and handmade lock and key – holds four 100ml bottles, three 200ml bottles, a 100ml travel case, a travel spray and 16 refills.
Each haute perfumery order is inscribed in the Louis Vuitton archives at Les Fontaines Pa rf umé es, and can be re filled upon request at any store with a perfume fountain. Personalisation, sustainability and the ultimate in customer service – just a few of the elements that continue to define the Louis Vuitton DNA.