The exhibit “Volez, Voguez, Voyagez–Louis Vuitton” was open from the end of October through the beginning of January at the American Stock Exchange Building. This exhibit told the story of the growth of Louis Vuitton from a maker of boxes to the international fashion icon that the company is today.

The free exhibit began with the origin of Louis Vuitton–he was a maker of boxes and highly skilled at his profession, able to make a variety of boxes. As people realized that he was an expert in his craft, he was asked to make more boxes and different kinds of boxes. In order to make his boxes distinctive, he designed specialty fabrics to cover them, fabrics that have continued to inspire the company’s products today.

As we continued through the exhibit we saw how Louis Vuitton’s products were shaped by technological developments. The original boxes focused on places to put clothes and accessories, and the later products did as well, but the designs of the boxes changed according to their purpose. For example, advancements in car and air travel altered box, and later bag, designs so that luggage would fit with the mode of transportation being utilized. This led to new types of designs as well–the modern purse hearkens back to the need for a small bag when traveling by car, when car rides were open air and dusty affairs. The exhibit had many different boxes and bags on display for all sorts of occasions; one of our favorites was a box that carried books and correspondence that also folded out to make a small desk. In addition to the different boxes and luggage on display, the exhibit also featured a number of other examples from Louis Vuitton’s eventual entrance into the fashion world.

One of the perks of living in New York City is the access that one has not only to the standard museums and entertainment, but also to short term exhibits and features around the city. The Louis Vuitton exhibit was such an experience, and we really enjoyed learning about the history of Louis Vuitton and seeing its development as a company. The exhibit has closed, but if it appears anywhere else at some other time, we highly recommend checking out this informative but fun exhibit.