Of Elegance and Romance
As Louis Vuitton prepares to celebrate the bicentennial of its founder’s birth, Dr Vicki Belo shares her thoughts about the brand and what she loves about the piece that started it all for the Maison: steamer trunks
Mention the words “steamer trunk” and almost instantaneously people start thinking about long-ago voyages aboard steamships sailing across the globe—an image both romantic and awe-inspiring even in these days of high-speed travel.
The steamer trunks we know today as elegant leather crates embellished with polished metal locks and accents were the invention of a malletier (luggage maker) whose name continues to be synonymous with bags and luggage of exceptional quality and craftsmanship: Louis Vuitton.
Born August 4, 1821, Vuitton is credited for crafting a steamer trunk that would be a viable alternative to the heavy, round-lidded chests commonly used for storage and travel in the mid-19th century.
Renowned in Paris for the excellence of his craftsmanship, Vuitton earned a commission to make luggage for the Empress Eugénie de Montijo, wife of Napoleon III. The Empress, who was acclaimed for her own impeccable style, asked the malletier to create luggage for “packing the most beautiful clothes in an exquisite way”.
This imperial commission led to the creation of a durable, lightweight, rectangular leather trunk that was spacious on the inside, filled with several compartments to safely hold small fragile items throughout an extended journey and equipped with a pick-proof lock for optimal security.
The Vuitton steamer trunk was an instant hit among Europe’s most fashionable and continues to have a strong appeal nearly 200 years after its creation. Not only is this because of its portability and versatility, but because these beautifully designed trunks double as functional items for the home as well as conversation pieces.
Today, Louis Vuitton trunks and other pieces that add a mix of sophistication and functionality to modern outfits continue to be made at the Maison’s famed atelier in Asnières, a town northwest of Paris. Here, master craftsmen transform leather, poplar wood and
other exquisite materials into items that are magnificent examples of the leather-worker’s art and a testament to the founder’s vision of excellence.
One ardent aficionado who appreciates the workmanship and the romance associated with Louis Vuitton’s steamer trunks is the Philippines’ own Dr Vicki Belo. The woman behind one of the country’s foremost medical groups has admired the brand from a very young age and cites the impeccable craftsmanship, meticulous attention to quality that characterises its products and superbly personal service as her reasons for choosing Louis Vuitton.
“Louis Vuitton [has always been] my brand,” she says fondly. “I remember the first time I bought a piece and it meant so much to me. [It is timeless] and very durable. [For me,] it’s a badge for having succeeded.”Belo is the proud owner of several Louis Vuitton trunks, including two stunning bespoke pieces, the stories behind which are touched with romance overlaid with the artisans’ passion for excellence and perfection.
“For me, the trunks are romantic,” she recalls. “I actually ordered a trunk from them that took a year and a half to make. It wasn’t supposed to be for my wedding or any of my wedding things; I just needed something like a small table to put at the foot of my bed. But because I got married in Paris and they put in my initials and all, it became a treasure chest for all the wedding gifts we received.
“Later on, I ordered a smaller trunk to hold my husband’s watch collection. They gave me one where they painted a scene from our wedding on the lid: me and Hayden on the stairs. It was such a personal touch.”For Belo, these signature trunks aren’t just items for storing keepsakes, but part of daily living. “It’s a statement piece [part of our home decor]. We leave our trunks out [and] they become part of the furniture, an interesting conversation piece,” she says.
But as the world slowly emerges from confinement because of the pandemic, Belo wistfully hopes that she can bring her trunks on her next trip, just the way their creator meant them to be used nearly 200 years ago.“I’d love to take my trunk collection on a cruise,” she says. “It would be like a scene from Titanic: everybody would bring their trunks. It would be so romantic. And definitely, you can’t go wrong with Louis Vuitton.”
Catch more of these exquisite trunks when the Louis Vuitton Philippine flagship store opens in Greenbelt 3 this September 2021.
“It’s a statement piece [part of our home decor]. We leave our trunks out [and] they become part of the furniture, an interesting conversation piece” —VICKI BELO