Louis Vuitton’s Bed Trunk
In the annals of design history, few objects have captured the imagination quite like the Louis Vuitton’s Bed Trunk. This unexpected fusion of elegance and practicality challenges the very notion of what a travel essential should be.
The story of the Bed Trunk began in 1868, when Louis Vuitton, ever the innovator, dreamed up the world’s first portable bed. It was an ingenious solution for explorers craving both the lap of luxury and the thrill of the unknown as they ventured forth into uncharted territories. In 1885, Louis’s son, Georges, patented the design, and soon, the Bed Trunk became the coveted companion of adventurers, explorers, and military strategists alike.
Louis Vuitton Bed Trunk
Fast forward to the present day, and this iconic creation has been reawakened, thanks to the visionary talents of Nicolas Ghesquière and Pharrell Williams. These modern-day alchemists have breathed fresh energy into the Bed Trunk, infusing it with bold, futuristic design while honouring the rich legacy that has defined Louis Vuitton for over a century.
Last April, the French fashion house unveiled the Bed Trunk in a contemporary guise, its classic Monogram canvas exterior concealing a folding bed frame crafted from lightweight aluminium and beechwood.
As the trunk opens, it reveals a haven of comfort and practicality – a thick, four-part mattress topped with memory foam, secured by the same woven cotton straps that have held personal belongings in place since Louis Vuitton’s earliest trunks. The bed’s head can tilt for added comfort, and a beechwood bedside table can be added, creating a cosy oasis even in the midst of the most far-flung adventures.
Louis Vuitton Bed Trunk x Nicolas Ghesquière
In the hands of Nicolas Ghesquière, Artistic Director of the Women’s Collections, it was transformed into something entirely futuristic, its sleek, engraved metal plates and modern corner pieces evoking a sense of dystopian elegance. Yet, a softer, more romantic side emerges, with delicate floral patterns on the mattress drawing from the designer’s Spring-Summer 2018 collection.
Louis Vuitton Bed Trunk x Pharrell Williams
Pharrell Williams, Men’s Creative Director, took the Bed Trunk’s rich history and gave it a contemporary twist that only he could. Inspired by one of Louis Vuitton’s earliest designs, Pharrell’s version features distressed striped patterns on the exterior, echoing the 1872 canvas that had first captured the world’s attention. Inside, red and white stripes burst to life, creating a striking contrast, while the jacquard mattress and pillow, embroidered with the playful “LV Lovers” motif, offer a personal touch.
The Bed Trunk has come full circle, from the explorers of the 19th century to the visionaries of the 21st. And as it continues to evolve, one thing remains clear: the spirit of adventure, of luxury on the move, will always be at the heart of Louis Vuitton.
