Most see the classic trunk as mere luggage, but not the 200 creatives, entertainers, and thinkers who have turned them into insane glass bricks, trees molded into chairs, and even dog crates.
That’s what awaits visitors to Louis Vuitton’s 200 Trunks 200 Visionaries, a traveling exhibition visiting Singapore for the first stop on a tour celebrating its bicentennial of signature trunks designed by 200 people now through April 27 at Marina Bay.
The elaborate and unmissable pop-up is located not far from Vuitton’s store in the mall just outside the venue. Despite its rather expensive looking exterior plastered with the brand’s signature Damier print and large glass windows, tickets are free but must be reserved online.
The exclusive trunks collection was a collaboration with designers not limited to big names such as Supreme, architect Peter Marino, and Chinese artist Cao Fei. The brand also reached out to musicians like K-pop sensation BTS, as well as engineers, scientists, and even philosophers.
All were given a blank trunk and months to conceptualize and present their version. The outcome features several works of art that have been painted or digitally projected on the trunks, or more peculiar ones that reimagine them into a giant book, a dog crate, and one filled with crude oil weighing over 400 kilograms. Another was made of a pile of glass bricks from the Taj Mahal.
There is always something to fixate on – too many to spot, really – inside the looping space that ends back at its entrance. The exhibition is laid out in different rooms, some with brightly colored walls. It is especially magical in the morning as the sunlight hits the glass panels and illuminates the entire room in their corresponding colors, giving things a filter-like appearance.
Once inside, the first trunk carries a large birthday cake made of Legos alongside a small browsing section of the brand’s books and video interviews.
Then, guests are thrown into a world of LED screens with a trunk at the center emitting blinding visuals through the screens, followed by the main room where most of the trunks are displayed. They are stacked atop shipping crates with a giant “LOUIS” label. It almost feels like being stuck in a baggage claim area where all the luggage is crazy fancy.
If lost, fret not. Reach out to one of the staff there who has tediously memorized all manner of fun facts about the 200 trunks and is more than happy to let them all loose.
They even have a room dedicated to BTS, where a trunk has been decorated by each of its seven members. One can also leave their mark by scribbling on the walls next to enlarged images of the boys’ works.
The final room and highlight of the exhibition features a jukebox trunk by British DJ and producer Benji B on which a selection of 200 songs can be played on vinyl. It is placed in the middle of the room covered in red velvet walls and seats to immerse oneself in the music. Benji is also known for composing soundtracks for the brand’s fashion runway shows.
The collection arrived in Singapore from its debut in Asnieres, France, where the Vuitton family house is located. It travels next to Beijing, followed by New York and London. The trunks will then be auctioned off with proceeds going to support young creatives.
The trunks are one of the brand’s oldest prized signatures which are still relevant today. Thus, this unique event would be a pity to miss out on, especially when Singapore was picked from a bag of more renowned fashion capitals.
FIND IT
Marina Bay Sands Event Plaza
10 Bayfront Avenue
10am to 10pm, daily through April 27
