Louis Vuitton has once again demonstrated their desire to collaborate with the sporting industry by partnering with Tennis Australia. In a remarkable display of luxury meeting athleticism, the renowned fashion house has been commissioned to create two bespoke trophy cases for the prestigious Australian Open. These magnificent trunks will debut at the women’s and men’s finals on January 27th and 28th, where they will be awarded to the tournament champions as a symbol of these industries’ shared commitment to tradition and innovation.
This collaboration with Tennis Australia is the latest addition to Lous Vuitton’s enduring commitment to the world of tennis. The unveiling of the two hand-crafted trunks for the Melbourne-based competition, the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup for men and the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup for women follows a legacy that began with Trophy Trunks for events like Roland Garros and the Davis Cup.
However, Louis Vuitton’s foray into the sports world isn’t limited to tennis, having previously created trophy trunks for prestigious events like the America’s Cup, the FIFA World Cup, and the NBA Championship Trophy. The Maison’s chairman and CEO, Pietro Beccari, referred to the brand’s most recent sporting endeavours when expressing his excitement over this newest partnership: “After the Trophy Trunks created for the Rugby World Cup and the Ballon d’Or in 2023, we are proud to announce this new partnership with the first Grand Slam tournament of 2024, which once again shows that victory travels in Louis Vuitton.” Furthermore, the CEO of Tennis Australia, Craig Tilley, also recognised the reputation of the world-famous brand within the sporting world and expressed his enthusiasm at working with the designer of such iconic custom-made trophy cases.
Both trunks were meticulously crafted by the fashion house’s skilled artisans at their legendary workshop, just outside Paris, in Asnières. The wooden frame is adorned in the iconic Louis Vuitton monogram canvas and framed with classic lozine leather trim. The intricate design showcases Louis Vuitton’s dedication to tradition by including brass corner protectors, locks, and clasps reminiscent of those used on the brand’s trunks since the 1860s.
Showcasing its artistic brilliance, Louis Vuitton has designed the trunks’ front panels to unfold and elegantly unveil the trophies within. Furthermore, the French Maison delivers on the details, as these two front panels are adorned with a bold white V. This emblem is more than the brand’s luxury trademark, but a nod to the triumphs and achievements that the Australian Open represents, with the “V” representing both “Vuitton” and “victory”.
Finally, inside, the trunks reveal a thoughtful design touch with a blue microfibre lining, reflecting the tournament’s colour palette and the iconic blue courts. The Australian Open logo, a pristine white AO, is discreetly placed on the underside of the lid, tying the whole design together. The trunks exude an air of timeless sophistication that symbolises the dedication to tradition that Louis Vuitton and Tennis Australia harmoniously blend with more modern innovations.
For more than 170 years, Louis Vuitton has been creating trunks that embody timeless excellence that fit seamlessly with the enduring values of the world’s most renowned sporting events. As the new year fast approaches and Melbourne finishes its final preparations for the Australian Open, the debut of these bespoke trophy trunks is highly anticipated by both fashion and tennis enthusiasts. The creation of these custom-built Louis Vuitton trunks are not only designed to safeguard the coveted Australian Open trophies, but they are an enduring symbol of the luxury French Maison’s devotedness to celebrating athletic prowess.