Louis Vuitton makes for Mars

There are few places in the world that have remained beyond the reach of the great Louis Vuitton and this de luxe company’s omnipresent logo. These days its ambition knows no bounds – not even the usual restrictions of time, space and gravity. This time the brand has gone where fashion has never gone before and created the space suitcase.

Forty years have passed since Apollo XI’s historic moon landing was observed by a worldwide audience of millions. Neil Armstrong’s classic quote: “A small step for man, a giant leap for mankind” was one of the key statements of the twentieth century, rivaling only JFK’s “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country”.

To commemorate the 40th anniversary of this great feat, LV has launched an all-in-one, ready-to-use suitcase for astronauts. The Malle Mars (French for Mars Suitcase) offers what can best be described as a retro futuristic design: the metallic case is shaped like a bullet or an egg, evoking the shape of a rocket ship. In its closed state it could be a prop from Stanley Kubrick’s classic 1968 sci-fi film, 2001: A Space Odyssey.

When open, this unique suitcase reveals a series of compartments that are angled to conform to the shape of the rocket. A practical combination of small cubbyholes and large drawers means that the case can hold every essential item vital to the astronauts during the journey: medication, tools, books, technical equipment etc. LV has even included a small folding chair.

The trunk will be on display from Monday July 20th, at the Rose Center for Earth and Space at the American Museum of Natural History, along with the official Apollo XI archives. Buzz Aldrin, Jim Lovell, Sally Ride and Louis Vuitton’s North American CEO will attend.

New post on at Monday, 20 July, 2009, 8:41 am and is archived in Fashion, International News, Lifestyle, Luxury. Subscribe to answers with RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.