In October, Louis Vuitton opened 200 Trunks, 200 Visionaries: The Exhibition at the former Barney’s space at 660 Madison Avenue.
“200 Trunks” celebrates the 200th anniversary of the luxury French maison. The traveling exhibit features creative reinterpretations of the iconic Louis Vuitton trunk by artists and creatives from all over the world.
Although admission is free, I would advise booking reservations in advance to gain access to Fred’s x Louis Vuitton, a temporary revival of the New York lunch spot through the duration of the Louis Vuitton exhibit. The original team of Fred’s was tapped to offer some of their classic plates, according to V Magazine.
Walking through the multi-level exhibit is an immersive journey into the world of Louis Vuitton.
The artistry of the trunks and the interior design aren’t the only things that elevate the Louis Vuitton “200” exhibit—each section of the exhibit had guides who explained the significance of the trunks and their respective artists.
Each trunk has a scannable QR code that directs visitors to learn more about the creative concept and the artist.
If you’re not able to chat with a guide, no worries—the exhibit is easily accessible with the full digital catalog of #LV200.
Visitors are also encouraged to take pictures and short videos throughout their visit and share their content on social media using #LV200.
For example, Trunk 15/200 was designed by Franky Zapata, a French pilot and founder of Z-AIR company. Zapata and his team have developed “dozens of patents for his hydro-propelled machines” and the floating Louis Vuitton trunk—yes, it floats—embodies innovative design and represents Zapata’s mission to revolutionize the future of mobility.
Trunk 7/200 struck a nostalgic nerve for me. The collaboration led by former Louis Vuitton creative director Marc Jacobs and Stephen Sprouse broke ground on the logomania trend in the early 2000s that blended modernity and tradition, albeit in an irreverent way at the time.
Trunk 41/200 made me smile—Fornasetti designs are always fun and playful.
At the end of the exhibit, visitors can visit The Residency in the basement to create their own Louis Vuitton trunks—a great activity for families with young children— and visit the Louis Vuitton pop-up store on the first floor.
For the best experience at Louis Vuitton’s 200 Trunks exhibit, book your tickets online and plan to visit during the week to avoid the weekend crowds.
200 Trunks, 200 Visionaries is on view now through December 31, 2022. For more details, visit the Louis Vuitton website.
New England Parisienne 