Welcome to Louis Vuitton’s dream house, an Upper East Side mansion filled with the house’s fabulous flights of fancy.
For a limited time, VIP guests are invited to visit the seven-story Park Avenue residence for a “savoir-faire” exhibition, showcasing the maison’s most exclusive, inventive and spectacular products. The offerings include dozens of its iconic hardsided trunks; exotic leather goods; shimmering red-carpet gowns worn by stars, including Jennifer Connelly and Emma Stone; gem-encrusted watches and high jewelry; special edition fragrances in Frank Gehry bottles; and Objets Nomades, a cult collection of travel-inspired furniture and objects made in collaboration with high-profile designers.
Called Crafting Dreams, the luxury event is open through May 5 by private appointment only.
A select group of the maison’s artisans — including a fine arts painter and a specialist in malletage (the crisscrossed padded lining of the trunks) — will be present on different dates to demonstrate their techniques. They will also meet one-on-one with clients who wish to personalize their goods or commission bespoke pieces.
After entering the townhouse, guests make their way up the winding Italian black marble staircase, admiring the jaw-dropping creations elegantly displayed in the many rooms. One-of-a-kind eveningwear by Nicolas Ghesquière, women’s creative director; timepieces and bijoux by Francesca Amfitheatrof, artistic director for the category; and made-to-order jackets by Pharrell Williams, men’s creative director, have pride of place.
The sheer variety of heritage trunks — opening to reveal custom interiors ranging from a cigar humidor to a fold-up work station — is inspiring. One of the most astonishing is the $192,000 Party Trunk in Monogram Eclipse canvas, a portable celebration containing a silver-plated ice bucket, glasses, straws, coasters, monogram shakers, compartments for 16 bottles and a disco ball.
(The only thing missing is the tunes.)
Several marvels are making their debuts in the Americas. One is the made-to-order “Millionaires Speedy 40” bag designed by Williams. The bright-yellow and white crocodile bag — unveiled last June in his premiere collection for the label and housed in a custom trunk — features a hand-painted monogram finish that took 65 hours to complete, 18-karat gold hardware and a diamond-encrusted padlock. According to the brand, it’s the first collaboration between the house’s high-end métiers, or craftsmanship workshops. Williams swagged the accessory, said to cost $1 million, at the Junya Watanabe, Kenzo and Loewe men’s shows in Paris last year. (His various takes on the Speedy have become the It bags of the A list.)
The Capucines trunk, meanwhile, holds four ladylike signature bags of the same name. And the “Disco Cocoon” by Campana Brothers is a mirrored and latticed egg-shaped hanging chair that’s part of Objets Nomades.
There are also plenty of chic must-haves for summer entertainment, including the just launched Monogram Flower Tile tableware in a beige colorway and colorful hand-blown Twist glasses.
On the ground floor, guests can relax at the Louis Vuitton café, which serves French pastries and a selection of beverages.
If only this pop-up were permanent.