Louis Vuitton brings its ‘200 Trunks, 200 Visionaries' exhibit to New York

By

Roxanne Robinson

Published
Oct 13, 2022

New York fashion lovers will soon be able to return to one of the city's most beloved institutions, Barneys New York. On its fourth and final stop in a world tour, the ‘200 Trunks, 200 Visionaries' exhibit sets up residency at 660 Madison in the former retailer's uptown location, co-opting several floors and transforming it into a colorful journey to discover the imaginative ways artists, creatives, and other iconic figures imagined a traditional Louis Vuitton steamer trunk. Trunks made by everyone from designers Frank Gehry and Peter Marino to K-pop icons BTS, toymaker Lego, Japanese creative Nigo to Hollywood actress Robin Wright and activist Gloria Steinem. 

 
Adding a special treat for those who make the pilgrimage, the French luxury goods brand has also taken over the former beloved eatery Freds at Barneys and will reopen the restaurant Freds X Louis for service. Guests can make a booking for the infamous 9th-floor restaurant online. Service will include lunch and continue throughout the afternoon with aperitifs and light bites.
 
Also unique to New York and the final stop is "The Residency" program. Located on the lower level, the space will become a workshop for in-house teams who conceived of the project, conceptualizing the exterior window displays of Barneys, whose exteriors have been painted in five brand colors, and which will be on display in November and December. The space will also host creative workshops and host local schools for tours.
 
Faye McLeod, Louis Vuitton's visual image director, said in a release, "This project has always been about creativity — a real tribute to Louis's ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit.

We get to see how such a cross-section of talents answered the same brief while also taking a moment to appreciate the man himself. The Residency concept, newly developed for this final stop, is also a gift of creativity — bringing the artistic expression at the heart of this project to the city of New York."
 
Launched in 2021 in honor of the founder's hypothetical 200th birthday, the exhibit began in Asnières, France, the headquarters outside of Paris founded by Vuitton himself.

Next, it made stops in Singapore and Los Angeles. The project is an entirely philanthropic effort and has raised 2 million euros thus far as the visionaries directed 100 percent of fees towards 15 different charitable organizations. Phase two donation details will be announced soon. The exhibit is open daily from 10 am to 8 pm from October 14 to December 31, 2022.