Rolling out: Marc Newson reinvents Louis Vuitton’s trunks for the 21st century

rolling luggage trunks
Louis Vuitton has collaborated with feted industrial design Marc Newson on a new range of rolling luggage trunks perfect for the 21st century traveller. Pictured: the new luggage in Louis Vuitton’s Damier Graphite pattern covering
(Image credit: Louis Vuitton)

Louis Vuitton is launching an innovative new range of rolling trunks for the 21st century traveller, designed by Wallpaper* Power Lister and internationally renowned industrial designer Marc Newson.

Its core is moulded as a slim and elastic, shock-proof mesh matrix of self-reinforced polypropylene composite. To achieve the greatest lightness possible, Vuitton’s celebrated Monogram canvas has been slimmed down 50 per cent without compromising its original characteristics.

Unlike most rolling trunks, the extendable cane, engineered in lightweight anodised aluminium, has been relocated to the outside, adding structure and strength and removing bulky bumps and ridges from the interior, allowing for more packing space. A new transversal side hinge is built into the structure of the trunk, and the three-digit combination zip-pull lock system – with a single zipper pull – is designed to reduce weight and avoid the usual stress points of double zip pulls.

The new trunk comes in three sizes: mini (50 x 35 x 20 cm), cabin (55 x 39 x 21 cm) and maxi (68 x 46 x 26 cm). All three sizes are available in the classic Monogram canvas, Monogram Eclipse, Damier Graphite, Taiga leather and a rainbow of seven colours of Epi leather.

Newson and Vuitton worked rigorously to achieve some impressive stats: 36 litre capacity for the cabin size – an increase in internal volume of 13 per cent compared to a similar sized trunk – and a weight of a mere 2.7kg for the mini version and just 3kg for the cabin size. Development took around 18 months, although frequent flier Newson says he's ‘probably spent 20 years designing these things in my head, long before I knew that I was going to be doing this for Louis Vuitton’.

‘I think it’s safe to say that we’re striving to break new ground in terms of developing a product which is one of the lightest in the market, and from a technical perspective is one of the most rigorously designed and engineered,' explains Newson. 'I’m obsessive about packing everything into a bag of a certain size, which is why it was so important for me to design a product that could tick all of those boxes and be the perfect piece of luggage for a person like me, [who] won’t travel with anything more than is absolutely necessary.'

To accompany the launch, the French maison will offer shoppers who purchase their cases a 48 hour after-sales repair service in 14 global cities, which will also be integrated into the Louis Vuitton travel app.

’I’m obsessive about packing everything into a bag of a certain size,’ explains Newson, ’which is why it was so important for me to design a product that could tick all of those boxes and be the perfect piece of luggage for a person like me, [who] won’t travel with anything more than is absolutely necessary.’ Click above to learn more about the collaboration

a selection of Newson’s working sketches

From a technical perspective, the new cases are some of the most rigorously designed and engineered on the market. Pictured: a selection of Newson’s working sketches

(Image credit: Louis Vuitton)

rolling luggage trunks

A new transversal side hinge is built into the structure of the trunk, and the three-digit combination zip-pull lock system – with a single zipper pull – is designed to reduce weight and avoid the usual stress points of double zip pulls

(Image credit: Louis Vuitton)

rolling luggage trunks

The new trunk comes in three sizes: mini, cabin and maxi. All are available in the classic Monogram canvas, Monogram Eclipse, Damier Graphite, Taiga leather and a rainbow of seven colours of Epi leather

(Image credit: Louis Vuitton)

trunk sketches

In an attempt at maximising lightness, the maison’s signature Monogram canvas has been slimmed down 50 per cent without compromising its original characteristics

(Image credit: Louis Vuitton)

rolling luggage trunks

The new design’s core is moulded as a slim and elastic, shock-proof mesh matrix of self-reinforced polypropylene composite

(Image credit: Louis Vuitton)

Newson and his luggage in seven shades of Epi leather

Development of the range took around 18 months, although Newson says he’s ‘probably spent 20 years designing these things in my head, long before I knew that I was going to be doing this for Louis Vuitton’. Pictured: Newson and his luggage in seven shades of Epi leather

(Image credit: Louis Vuitton)

rolling luggage trunks in seven shades

The new range will be available from 15 July in-store and from 30 September online

(Image credit: Louis Vuitton)

INFORMATION

Photography/videography courtesy Louis Vuitton

Also known as Picky Nicky, Nick Vinson has contributed to Wallpaper* Magazine for the past 21 years. He runs Vinson&Co, a London-based bureau specialising in creative direction and interiors for the luxury goods industry. As both an expert and fan of Made in Italy, he divides his time between London and Florence and has decades of experience in the industry as a critic, curator and editor.