Louis Vuitton has opened an exhibition in France which spotlights Art Deco and explores the luxury house’s “participation in the original event”.
The Louis Vuitton Art Deco immersive experience in Paris comprises eight rooms which offer a “distinct perspective” on the maison’s creative journey and its “deep connection” to the Art Deco movement, showcasing 300 rare items from its archives.
It spotlights the legacy of Gaston-Louis Vuitton, the grandson of the house’s founder, whose industrial and artistic vision shaped a “pivotal era” for the Louis Vuitton brand.
Gaston-Louis Vuitton expanded the house beyond luggage to items, such as beauty and toiletry cases.
The house said this legacy can be seen in Louis Vuitton’s latest beauty offering, La Beauté, which launched in August and was created in collaboration with legendary MUA Pat McGrath.
The Louis Vuitton Art Deco experience opens today (26 September) on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts, which took place in Paris in 1925.
Room one of the exhibition – ‘History and Artistic Manifest: the Family Heritage room’ – houses 21 objects that trace the Vuitton family’s heritage and Gaston-Louis Vuitton’s “artistic awakening”.
Room two – ‘1925: The Consecration’ – reconstructs the house’s stand at the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs in France.
Inside the Louis Vuitton Art Deco immersive experience in Paris
Visitors will see items such as the official exhibition poster by Robert Bonfils, the catalogue, invitations to gala dinners, and even entrance tickets and commemorative medals.
Gaston-Louis Vuitton’s diploma as VP of Class 9 (leather goods and travel cases) is displayed alongside the daily sales agenda, recording the pieces presented.
‘Art Deco Manifesto’ is room three and this space is where the luxury house’s “spirit of invention” really takes form.
Technical ingenuity is embodied by the malle-auto models, including a 1924 Autoski trunk in Vuittonite canvas, accompanied by folding garment trunks and portable wardrobes.
Room four explores ‘Elegance and Beauty at Louis Vuitton’ and the brand said that the inspiration for new line La Beauté can be traced back to this space.
The room explores how Louis Vuitton transposed Art Deco principles into the universe of beauty, with the Marthe Chenal and Milano beauty trunks acting as centrepieces.
‘The Art of Windows: The Laboratory on the Champs-Élysées’ is room five, and this space explores how at 70 avenue des Champs-Élysées in Paris, Gaston-Louis Vuitton transformed the house’s “vitrine into a true laboratory of display”.
The room brings together his theoretical writings on l’art de l’étalage, published in Vendre and other journals, with sketchbooks of window designs from 1925 to 1929.
Room 6 – ‘Colours, Forms and Materiality’ – showcases the "vibrancy of Art Deco” in its full expression within the luxury brand’s offering.
Grooming sets in ivory, tortoiseshell and exotic woods are displayed, alongside brightly coloured trunks and pochettes.
Louis Vuitton is is showcasing 300 rare items from its archives
Room 7 – ‘From Drawing to Advertising: The Process of Creativity’ – spotlights Gaston-Louis Vuitton as a “designer, decorator and communicator”.
‘Beauty in Travel’ is highlighted in room eight, which celebrates Art Deco’s global reach throughout the glamour of modern transport.
Advertising inserts from publications such as Vogue and The Spur underscore how Louis Vuitton trunks symbolised international sophistication during this time.
The exhibition also houses a gift store which offers a curated selection of Louis Vuitton products across women’s and men’s leather goods, accessories, travel pieces and books.
Plus, home collections, including Objets Nomades, and decorative objects.
Playful Vivienne collectables sit alongside exclusive gifting items, all presented in signature packaging.
A full display of Louis Vuitton Editions – including City Guides, Fashion Eye, hardcover books and more – can be found in a dedicated library area.
Visitors can also enjoy personalisation services, such as hot stamping and mon monogram for travel.
Louis Vuitton is situated at 26 Quai de la Mégisserie, Paris, and is open to the public from Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 8pm.