Louis
Vuitton, the pioneer of the art of travel, has created a tailor-made set of
luggage for the most progressive sports car – the BMW i8 plug-in hybrid.
The
collection of luggage comprises two travel bags, a business case and a garment
bag. To ensure optimal use of space, the luggage items have been tailor-made to
fit perfectly into the interior of the BMW i8.
Inspired
by the visionary design of the BMW i8, the bags and cases – like the sports
car’s innovative passenger cell – are made entirely from carbon fibre. This
particularly lightweight yet extremely sturdy high-tech material has been used
by Louis Vuitton to create a special textile. It provides great robustness and
strength, and as such is made for the rigours of travel – no matter how long
and arduous the drive. The exclusive luggage pieces created by Louis Vuitton
fit snugly into the BMW i8. The Weekender GM i8, with both hand and shoulder
carry straps, is custom-designed to go into the boot, while the Garment Bag i8
is a perfect fit for the rear shelf of the BMW i8. The sturdy hardshell
Business Case i8 which is also ideal for carrying laptops, matches the shape of
the rear seats; while the small Weekender PM i8 is designed to rest on its
surface.
The
Louis Vuitton luggage series will be available upon request in a selection of
Louis Vuitton stores worldwide (Munich, Milan, London, Paris, Moscow, Dubai,
New York, Los Angeles) starting April 1st 2014.
“BMW
and Louis Vuitton share both a profound appreciation of tradition and a
commitment to constant further development,” says Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior
Vice President BMW Group Design. “The use of CFRP in the revolutionary BMW i8
sports car is indicative of an intelligent lightweight construction philosophy.
And Louis Vuitton has demonstrated a similar belief in innovation, aesthetics
and lightweight design in creating an exclusive luggage collection tailored
perfectly to the new BMW i8,” he added
Patrick-Louis-Vuitton,
Head of Special Orders at Louis Vuitton and great grandson of the House’s
founder, says, “This collaboration with BMW i epitomises our shared values of
creativity, technological innovation and style. Our craftsmen at Louis Vuitton
have enjoyed the challenge of this very special project, using their ingenuity
and attention to detail to create a truly made to measure set of luxury
luggage. This is a pure expression of the art of travel.”