Louis Vuitton’s Rolling Luggage Comes in Soft Version

After Louis Vuitton’s first rolling luggage Horizon, designed by Marc Newson was launched in 2016, now it has made a breakthrough by launching its second range with a a soft outer-shell version. “After starting with hard luggage where the parameters are naturally more defined and rigid, we have embarked upon stage two, which is the soft version. I had to identify a suitable technology to give the project validity, I had to have a reason, something really compelling to kick the project off.” says Newson. Moreover, he explained how the soft version is really made, “That was to be the technology, which was not so much a technology, more of a process or a technique, a process that I was aware of through various other projects that I had been doing and essentially it’s knitting.”

This breakthrough outer-shell is made of thermo-formed 3D knit with a double-sided jacquard featuring Newson’s interpretation of Louis Vuitton’s signature Monogram. The knit is fully-fashioned in a custom made technical yarn that includes elastic and thermo-fusible threads, using seamless knitting technology, a process tailored specifically to the needs of Louis Vuitton.

The one-piece knit is then heat formed to give the object its shape. Before this thermoforming process, it’s given a water repellent treatment. Cuts for pockets and zips are made with ultra-sound cutting techniques and as 95% of the stitching used on a comparable conventional product has been eliminated, it is replaced with tape fused through heat setting, an elegant high- tech solution in keeping with the process used to build
the fundamental shape.

When it comes to packing and travel, weight and capacity are essential. New technologies and endless testing during the development process meant Marc Newson has ensured that weight has been reduced to a minimum and volume has been maximised. Lightweight, yet strong and resistant, weighing a mere 2.9 kilos for the cabin size, no traveller will carry even as little as a gram more weight than necessary.

Hard VS Soft Version

Like Horizon, the anodised aluminium extendable cane has been relocated outside from within the luggage, adding both structure and strength, as well as substantially increasing the all-important interior packing space, removing entirely the awkward bumps and ridges normally associated with internal cane mechanisms and leaving useful space in its place. Just like one of Louis Vuitton’s historic trunks, the cane handle is covered in cowhide leather, specifically sourced to offer maximum comfort when in use and minimum volume when out of use, as even a protruding handle is considered part of exterior volume restrictions by international airlines.

Marc Newson has custom designed every single component, there is not one “off-the-shelf” component used. This includes an ergonomic aluminium 3-digit combination zip-pull lock system that is TSA approved and can be operated with just the one hand. The lock comes in silver, champagne or dark grey finish. Two miniature wheels have been engineered to be as silent as possible. “This can be defined as disruptive simply because no one has done it; it’s innovation really. Design, by definition, is disruption and innovation. If it’s not new then, what’s the point ?”
says Marc Newson.

The designer adds, “I’m a frequent traveller and like a lot of people I know I’m travelling nonstop so I know what I want my luggage to do and I don’t think I’m alone. Travel is so intrinsically linked to luxury, from the historical context to a functional context. The two just go hand in hand really. Experience has been such an important part of this process. These objects really live or die on the road.”

The Louis Vuitton connected Echo device service remains available as an extra to put within internal pockets of all cases. The new rolling luggage collection is available in store at Plaza Indonesia and Plaza Senayan.

Rolling Duffle 55 Knit with two wheels comes in yellow, orange, grey heather, black and Monogram
55 x 32 x 25 cm 2.9 kg 36 l.

Soft Trolley 55 Knit with four wheels comes in fuchsia, heather grey and black
55 x 39 x 21 cm 3.5 kg 37 l.

Rolling Duffle is also produced in a special lightweight Monogram canvas in two sizes: 55 and 65
Cabin 55 x 32 x 25 cm 2.7 kg 36 l and maxi 65 x 35 x 30 cm 3.1 kg 55 l.