VIVE LE FRANCE
LOUIS VUITTON COLLABORATES WITH ROLAND-GARROS TO CREATE TWO TROPHY TRUNKS DESIGNED TO HOUSE THE SUZZANE LENGLEN CUP AND THE MUSKETEERS’ CUP.
Louis Vuitton has never been the one to shy away from creating lavish, albeit iconic trunks for special occasions. remember the brand’s trunk case that carried the world cup 2014 trophy? or when karl Lagerfeld made a Louis Vuitton punching bag complete with a storage trunk and boxing gloves? well, for the latest edition to their iconic trunks series, the French-luxury brand collaborated with roland-Garros to create two trophy trunks to protect and transport the suzanne Lenglen cup and the Musketeers’ cup, which, if you don’t already know, are awarded each year to the men’s and women’s champions at the French open.
“Louis Vuitton has always supported the greatest explorers and pioneers on their travels, including roland Garros and suzanne Lenglen themselves. combining elegance and innovation, Louis Vuitton has constantly reinvented travel, just like roland Garros did for aviation and suzanne Lenglen for tennis,” explains Michael burke, chairman and ceo of Louis Vuitton. “after taking the most prestigious trophies in the world of football, rugby and sailing to the four corners of the globe, we are extremely proud to be playing a part in 2017’s roland-Garros tournament. it is an honor to design these bespoke cases that will transport and protect two famous international tennis trophies.”
A National Trophy
The association of these two French brands, however, goes beyond the simple notion of “sport meets fashion.” it also marks an especially meaningful moment because both are internationally renowned for their excellence and artistic flair in promoting paris and France worldwide. in other words, this trophy case is a represenation of French excellence, a celebration of France itself.
“with Louis Vuitton and roland-Garros, France is the winner; France is a source of wonder and inspiration. The partnership between two of the finest French brands is a symbol that will inspire the champions during the tournament fortnight,” states bernard Giudicelli, president of the French tennis Federation. “our trophies have never been so beautiful as in this magnificent new case. it’s a fabulous highlight for roland-Garros 2017.”
In The Making
This celebration was further amplified because the trophy was manufactured by the Maison Mallerior, the oldest jeweler and goldsmith in the world established at rue de la paix in paris.
The trunk, on the other hand, was handcrafted in Louis Vuitton’s historic workshop in asnières. as you can see, the French-luxury brand’s touches are highly noticeable throughout the exterior of the bespoke case, which was embellished by Louis Vuitton’s signature monogram. Their influence can also be noticed by the lock features and brass corners.
as for roland-Garros, its trace can be spotted from the terracotta-colored interior, which paints a reference to the clay surface of their historic tennis court. The white “V” in the front that crosses the Louis Vuitton’s signature monogram is also a reminiscent of the lines at a tennis court.
during the finals, the two trophies in their presidential trunk brought their allure, bringing together three prestigious French brands: Maison Mellerio, roland-Garros and of course, Louis Vuitton.
in addition, Vik Muniz, the visual artist behind the 2017 roland-Garros poster, has added an arty spin on the trunk’s design.
“With Louis Vuitton and RolandGarros, France is the winner; France is a source of wonder and inspiration.”