150 years of luxury

When Napoleon III became Emperor of France in 1852, Empress Eugenie always summoned the same apprentice packing-case maker to the Tuileries Palace. The young man particularly skilled at packing the most exquisite petticoats and gowns for the Empress was named Louis Vuitton. In 1854, he opened his own establishment in the heart of Paris. Six years later, he built his first workshop in Asnierés. One hundred fifty years later, his great-great grand son, Patrick Louis Vuitton, still manufactures special orders from the workshop in Asnierés.

The Louis Vuitton brand and its LV monogram is one of the most recognizable worldwide. LV has perpetuated a legend whose incomparable and original designs have always belonged to an exceptional world or extreme refinement and luxury.

To celebrate its 150th anniversary, LV had planned four major parties. New York was the first big party, followed by Hong Kong held last April 16. The Tokyo party will be in September, followed by Paris at the end of the year.

Members of the press from Asia and Australia who were invited for the LV celebration in Hong Kong were pampered. In keeping with the LV tradition, the experience was pure luxury – the press flew in on Business Class, shuttled to and from the airport via limousine, had lunches and dinners at Dim Sum, Clipper Lounge, The Lookout at the Peak,and enjoyed helicopter rides above Hong Kong.

The main event was the Friday night party. The Tamar Site in Central was the venue of the major event in Hong Kong.  A huge plain white box stood there during the day only to be transformed into the world’s biggest Louis Vuitton trunk by night. Projectors around the venue aided in changing the design of the trunk every 30 seconds. Celebrities, socialites and models were among those (all wearing the access bracelet made of natural cowhide marked with the 150th anniversary logo) gliding down the brown carpet amidst hundreds of flashes from the hordes of paparazzi.  Everything was LV inside – the carpet was a giant version of the checkered Damier leather; lounge chairs couches followed the shape of the LV flower;  sleek curtains of the LV flower design hung from the entrance all the way to the bar.  Waiters made sure everyone had a glass of Moet & Chandon, Brut Impérial Rosé to be exact, at all time. Magnum bottles being passed around had the special 150th anniversary label. 

As smoked salmon, foie gras paté, sushi, calamari were passed around, the highly anticipated show was about to start. Lights dimmed as LV bags with feathered wings started hovering over the crowd.  A concave giant screen started showing panoramic views of Paris, Hong Kong, New York and other major cities. Soon the screen showed a construction site and doors opened to show construction workers hammering and welding. The stage immediately turned into a ship, the Queen Mary, and passengers embarked, carrying LV baggage. The floor opened to reveal a hot air balloon carrying an LV trunk. The ceiling opened to let the balloon pass through. There was a five-minute synchronized trampoline act with two men wearing LV clothes. The visually delightful show ended when a large LV trunk emerged from the floor. Another smaller trunk came out of it and then another came out. A small LV bag was the last thing to come out as the LV tower of bags eventually rose to become the Eiffel Tower of LV bags. Kelly Rowland came out to perform and the party continued with the champagne still flowing.

Check out www.louisvuitton.com or visit the LV store at Greenbelt 4.