Louis Vuitton's exhibition "Volez, Voguez, Voyagez - Louis Vuitton (To the Sky, to the Sea, and Beyond - Louis Vuitton Travels)" finally opens in Japan on April 23rd. This traveling exhibition, a direct sequel to the one held at the Grand Palais in Paris, traces the maison's magnificent history from its founding in 1854 to the present day, all under the theme of travel.

In 1978, Louis Vuitton opened its first store in Japan in Kioicho, Tokyo. A special venue for this exhibition, with a striking contrast of blue and yellow, suddenly appeared in the same location. Upon stepping inside, we are greeted by an energetic portrait of a young Louis Vuitton. The story of the journey begins with the Monogram canvas trunk "Maru," steeped in history.



The door to travel is opened by wood, which could be called the origin of Louis Vuitton. The trunk that brought him fame embodies the pride and attention to detail of Louis Vuitton, who began his career as a rater-in-barreur (wooden crate maker and packer) in Paris, utilizing his knowledge of the family woodworking business. Since its founding, Louis Vuitton has always been at the forefront of innovation, creating timeless shapes and patterns through a process of creativity and innovation. The numerous trunks on display at the venue tell this story.



The next section invites visitors on an adventure to far-flung exotic lands. This section includes essential expedition items such as tea sets and toiletries, as well as trunks suited to the harsh weather and geography of the desert. Louis Vuitton, which participated in the expedition at the time, made full use of its special order skills to create groundbreaking items such as bed trunks. The Steamer Bag, produced in the early 20th century, is closely related to the rise of yacht travel and the popularity of cruises. Its modern size, lightness, and convenience allowed it to store worn clothes until the end of the journey, and it shocked the industry.



Unravelling the history of Louis Vuitton brings the travel of that time into vivid focus. This exhibition was curated by Olivier Saillard, director of the Palais Galliera Museum of Fashion, City of Paris, and artistic director and set designer Robert Carsen, a world-renowned stage director. Scenes of the scorching desert and the refreshing stern of a ship are dynamically presented alongside archive works. The car journey features a lush, asphalt road, while the air journey features a propeller plane taking off into the blue sky, drawing the viewer into a Louis Vuitton journey with spectacular displays. The worldview is also beautifully expressed on the train journey; gazing out the window, one will forget they're at an exhibition. Anyone who steps inside is sure to be overcome with the urge to travel. Louis Vuitton is present throughout the ages on each vividly depicted journey. What is astonishing is its exceptional creativity. Always innovative, no trace of its journey is wasted. Its cutting-edge manufacturing approach explains why it has become such a big fashion house. What do fashion-conscious people need when they travel? By answering this question and developing the art of packing, Louis Vuitton has solidified its presence.


--Continued in the second part, "Exhibition opens exploring the roots of Louis Vuitton, the brand that invites humanity to travel -- an emotional journey that connects to art and fashion."

【Event Information】
"Volez, Voguez, Voyagez - Louis Vuitton"
Address: Special venue for the "Traveling Louis Vuitton Exhibition", 5-chome, Kojimachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Dates: April 23rd - June 19th
Time: 10:00 - 20:00 (Hours will be extended to 22:00 on June 17th and 18th)
Admission fee: Free
Closed: Mondays (however, open from 13:00 on April 25th, May 2nd, and June 13th)