THE ART OF PERSONALIZATION LOUIS VUITTON - GOYARD - MOYNAT

Times change ...  A time, personalization seemed outdated and outdated, but it is making a comeback.

Even if there are limited editions, more and more customers want to make their objects "unique in the world" and appreciate the personalizations, painted by hand by craftsmen, on a precious travel item and thus get out of standardization 

The design : names, bands of colors, different initials according to countries and cultures.

In France , it is customary to display his initials making the identity of the owner a little more mysterious.

While in Anglo-Saxon countries such as the United States of America and  England  where the name and first name are entered in full.

Over the years typography, the choice of colors and characters have evolved.

The colored stripes which were formed at the beginning of two bands of the same width, are now wider, more numerous and of different thicknesses. You can date a trunk just by seeing the customizations.

Today "personalization" is the "freedom of choice" it no longer stops at a simple initial, or bands. All the patterns can be painted, a logo, a floral subject, a landscape, a character of animation...

Since 2008 Louis Vuitton has been offering its customers the personalization of bags and small leather accessories. This nice nod to a glorious past of travel. The customer can choose up to 3 two-color letters, vertical or diagonal bands from 17 colors, which allows more than 200 million combinations.

These new mass-produced customizations are printed during the manufacture of the bag on the canvas and not painted by hand as at the time.

Meeting with a painter, partner of Louis Vuitton. Cristina, Italian with a fairy finger.

If Louis Vuitton chose this freelance worker as one of its partners for the personalization of luggage for more than 35 years it is no coincidence. Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Titian, Michelangelo ... so many names that have imposed Italy as the country of classical painting since the Renaissance.

Personalization: Add an extra soul.

It was in 1984 that Louis Vuitton opened its first Boutique in Italy, in Milan in the prestigious "Via Monte Napoleone". Cristina, then 24 years old, was received by the store manager. At that time, Cristina already had a good experience of colors and working methods, thanks to the precious teaching of her graphic designer father, supplemented by training and a diploma from an arts school, then polytechnic design, graphic and visual sector.

It will have taken many tests on the material to find the solvent to use, as well as the best method of treatment, from the drawing, to obtain exactly the characteristics, finishes and colors imposed by the Luxury House.

The Milan store was an immediate success and sent the items to be personalized to Cristina. Then other stores opened throughout Italy: Rome, Venice, Florence, Bari, Palermo ... then new stores in Switzerland in Geneva, Zurich, Crans Montana, Gstaad ... and also in other countries , in Spain in Madrid, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, in Greece, in Cyprus, in Morocco, in Sweden, in Denmark, in Belgium, in Austria, in the Czech Republic.

Very quickly Cristina worked full time with Louis Vuitton ...

The supports:  

• LV pvc monogram canvas
• Cowhide or ear
• Very precious leather like crocodile

Cristina's comment : I have never painted the same thing twice. It is an honor for me to work for the greatest trunk maker in the world.

Cristina is asked to carry out personalizations on the luggage of the powerful and famous of this world.

Example with this exceptional meeting: 

Lara dutta bhupathi

Famous Indian actress, successively elected Miss India then Miss Universe in 2000. Lara Dutta chooses a "bottle box" vanity to store her jewelry, beauty products and accessories during her many trips.

Inspiration:

During the reign of the Maharajas, many orders were placed with Louis Vuitton, their initials were painted in Gujariti (Indian language) and in Latin typography.

Lara Dutta chose size, calligraphy, font, white and mustard colors for a refined, classic and elegant, timeless combination.

It was in Milan that Cristina took care of the personalization for the Hollywood star.

Comment from Lara Dutta Bhupathi : It's an incredible feeling to be able to personalize your accessories. No other luxury brand offers such a service. A story to share with my child.

Because American and Japanese customers prefer trunks with personalization, unscrupulous antique dealers and merchants add personalization to facilitate the sale of their trunks. 

We estimate that 70% of the decorative bands called "stables" are counterfeit. 

We estimate that 98% of the crowns or coats of arms are counterfeit.

Bad, malicious trunks restorers paint fake initials, hotel labels, bands, coats of arms or royal crowns ... These decorations have the sole purpose of deceiving the buyer to create a story and make the trunk more "authentic" and attractive. Beware of beautiful stories ...