Whether it’s Ralph Lauren designing the uniforms for Wimbledon, Dior tapping footballer Kylian Mbappé as an ambassador, or Zegna designing the off-duty uniforms for Real Madrid, the interrelationship between sport and the luxury fashion industry has never been stronger. Case—or trunk—in point? Louis Vuitton’s inaugural Malle Vestiaire, created in collaboration with rugby icon Dan Carter.
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A physical embodiment of the French luxury fashion house’s trunk-making savoir-faire, the Malle Vestiarie (or wardrobe trunk) was specifically designed to hold Carter’s sports equipment and memorabilia.
Crafted from wood and clad in the maison’s signature black-and-silver Monogram Eclipse canvas (a fitting colourway, reflective of the New Zealand rugby team’s colours), the Malle Vestiaire is finished with metal clasps, closures, and rivets; like those used on the Louis Vuitton trunks of yesteryear.
The Monogram Eclipse exterior is finished with painted logos and numbers referencing meaningful moments in his career, including DC10 (his player number) and 1598 (the number of points he scored in international rugby).
Open the Malle Vestiarie and you’ll find its interiors lined in plush microfibre and sportswear-inspired fabric. Shelving houses a selection of Carter’s most prized memorabilia, including three World Rugby Player of the Year awards; three Rugby World Cup medals; his two 100th-test caps; three jerseys he wore at Rugby World Cups; his pair of “retirement” boots and a pair he wore during a Rugby World Cup; copies of his book, The Art of Winning, and the Louis Vuitton rugby ball he created in collaboration with the maison in 2019.
The release of the collaborative bespoke wardrobe trunk coincides with the forthcoming Rugby World Cup in France, taking place from 8th September to 28th October. “This Malle Vestiaire holds all the memorabilia that symbolise the amazing memories I have of playing professional rugby, while also paying tribute to Louis Vuitton’s renowned Art of Travel,” said Dan Carter of the collaboration. “I really can’t think of a better way for them to be displayed than in this beautiful trunk.”
The Malle Vestiaire (sans memorabilia) is priced at $257,000AUD and available via the Louis Vuitton webstore.
Words by Henry Blake
