Louis Vuitton pays homage to its Petite Malle bag and iconic trunk

Right from the start of his tenure with Louis Vuitton in 2013, creative director Nicolas Ghesquiere had made the Petite Malle – his novel interpretation of the house’s iconic wooden trunk, which has a storied history dating back to 1858 — his piece de resistance.

Despite its hefty price tag, the Petite Malle, which retails from US$5,500 (S$7,475), has been touted as a must-have among fashion fiends, who likened it to owning a piece of art and history. Measuring 19.1 x 13 x 4.8cm, each Petite Malle bag is made by hand by a team of 30 artisans, applying the same technique used to construct the house’s wooden trunk.

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To celebrate the bicentennial of Louis Vuitton's birth, Louis Vuitton is collaborating with 200 talents and visionaries to personalise its emblematic trunks. At 50 x 50 x 100cm each, they feature the approximate dimension of the house’s original trunk.

What’s more, its list of collaborators include marquee names like Korean superstars BTS and highly coveted American streetwear brand Supreme, literary and architecture bigwigs like journalist and activist Gloria Steinem, as well as architect Frank Gehry.

Petite Malle East West leather and canvas bag, $8,950, Louis Vuitton

Credit: Louis Vuitton

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Petite Malle laser-cut leather and canvas bag, $8,750, Louis Vuitton

Credit: Louis Vuitton

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Petite Malle laser-cut leather and canvas bag, $8,750, Louis Vuitton

Credit: Louis Vuitton

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From April 4 to 27, view personalised trunks by international stars like BTS at Louis Vuitton’s 200 Trunks, 200 Visionaries: The Exhibition, at the Marina Bay Event Plaza. The travelling presentation is making its international debut in Singapore, before continuing its journey around the world.
Louis Vuitton’s 200 Trunks, 200 Visionaries: The Exhibition
Dates: April 4 to 27, 2022
Venue: Marina Bay Event Plaza, 10 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018970
Opening hours: 6pm to 10pm (April 4); 10am to 10pm (April 5 to 27)
Registration: Visit ap.louisvuitton.com. Tickets are free of charge.