Marc Newson reimagines the Louis Vuitton trunk as a ‘Cabinet of Curiosities’

There was a time when travelling used to be a romantic event—even the shortest sojourn accompanied by intense anticipation and elation. We all have trips that are vividly etched in our memories, perhaps from our childhood days—the growing enthusiasm to neatly pack our suitcases and the thrill as they were stowed away in vehicles, set to embark on a journey into the unknown. Across such travels—either solo or with companions—one comrade is a constant: the luggage. And how can one not think of the classic flat-top trunk? Although deemed functionally obsolete in the fast-paced contemporary world, can this relic of a time bygone preserve its relevance in a new avatar?

A trunk transcends beyond being a mere container of objects to being a silent observer and carrier of memories. This figurative spirit of the trunk becomes a reality in acclaimed designer Marc Newson’s new vision dubbed Cabinet of Curiosities. Building on his long-standing collaboration with pioneering global fashion house Louis Vuitton, the Australian designer morphs the iconic Louis Vuitton travel trunk into an elegant display case. Newson injects a rather contemporary interior into the archaic shell—creating a sculptural piece that pays homage to the history of the trunk while achieving high functionality in the modern context. “They (trunks) are wonderful relics of another time that Louis Vuitton has preserved and made current,” Newson says. “I especially like the concept of having something forever, and then generations to come pass down. They’re readymade heirlooms and are inherently ‘future-proof’ pieces,” he adds.

Newson is considered amongst one of the most influential designers of his generation, with his work traversing various disciplines such as furniture design, product design and architectural commissions. For his latest creative endeavour launched during Milan Design Week 2023, he meshes his distinctive expression and method with the craftsmanship and savoir-faire attributed to Louis Vuitton. “I’ve been very lucky with the organisations I’ve been able to work with and I’ve always striven to work with the best, because these companies allow me to express myself creatively, and there is synchronicity between our teams,” the industrial designer shares.

What appears to be a typical, large Louis Vuitton trunk encapsulates an entirely different interior. With the external parameters fairly defined in the pre-existing frame, the brief lay more emphasis on the possibilities of the internal spacing. “I was immediately attracted to the idea that the trunk would read the same as from a hundred years ago but have a contemporary interior,” the furniture designer notes. Once the Monogram-covered shell is opened, the interior features 19 leather cubes in three different sizes—organised in a certain way, but can be reorganised almost limitlessly. The cubes—some of which come with secret compartments for valuables—provide an ideal showcase for small objects such as books, artworks and travel souvenirs and can be personalised in over 1,000 different configurations. “I have been exploring systems of display for some time now, having always struggled to find shelving or display cabinets that I really liked,” Newson comments. “So, when Louis Vuitton presented me with the idea to do a trunk, I thought a modular concept I had implemented in a few projects over the years could be applied again,” he adds.

The principles of modular design are at the core of the cabinet that explores and expands the functional qualities of the trunk, such as organisation and display, through a modern and light-hearted lens. The smallest of cubes can be reversed and feature a hinged door on one face, concealing the objects behind it. “There are three colour options: natural leather which is of particular interest to me as it patinas over time, as well as being one of Louis Vuitton’s specialities. The all-yellow version reflects the heritage of the trunks, which for some time were yellow or were lined with yellow suede. The tricolour is a newer colourway for the Maison,” Newson explains.

The Cabinet of Curiosities is a portable display case that epitomises the maison’s heritage as well as the product designer’s refined style and expert eye for detail. “It is critical for me to maintain a level of consistency throughout my work. I'd like to think that you’d be able to look at something I’ve designed and recognise that it was designed by me and in my handwriting,” Newson says. “In all of my designs, I strive for order and simplicity, and for there to be something recognisably ‘me’,” he adds. Striking a balance between the brand’s DNA and his own design identity, Newson achieves a piece that speaks of both, but not at the expense of the objective and its fundamental practicality and function. Talking about what he envisions to be stored in the Cabinet of Curiosities, Newson shares, “Like any shelving system, what I enjoy is that it is completed by its owner. I’d like to think the trunk has a personality, and that personality will only increase when it is used and filled with objects that reflect one’s interests and idiosyncrasies.”

In a swiftly advancing and forward-looking global culture where objects often fall prey to a burgeoning culture of obsoletism, all eyes are glued to the new and next. But in such a scenario, it is important to identify the place for the extant and old—and the new ways through which they can partake in the world and evolve with it. Newson’s partnership with Louis Vuitton reiterates a creative approach that is not just about new innovations, but also new interpretations and perspectives—in this case, turning a veteran travel companion into a teller of tales and a cauldron of souvenirs.