Louis Vuitton has created two ‘Official Trophy Trunks’ for the Australian Open tournament, which begins on January 14, 2024 in Melbourne.
The trunks will carry the Australian Open trophies - the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup for women and the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup for men - and will be on show for the start of the women’s and men’s finals on January 27 and 28, as well as for the subsequent prizegiving ceremonies.
The specially designed trunks were hand-crafted by Louis Vuitton artisans in the Maison’s historic workshops in Asnières, just outside Paris.
The wooden frame is covered in a Louis Vuitton monogram canvas and finished with a lozine leather trim and the same brass corner protectors, locks and clasps used on Louis Vuitton trunks since the 1860s.
The trunks’ two front panels, which fold back to reveal the trophies inside, are painted with a white V – for “Victory” and “Vuitton”.
Both cases are lined with a blue microfibre, matching the tournament’s colour palette and blue courts, and are topped off with the Australian Open logo – a white AO – on the underside of the lid.
As ‘Official Trophy Trunk’ partner to the Australian Open, Louis Vuitton worked closely with Tennis Australia to produce these cases.
This continues the Maison’s connection with tennis tournaments globally, which began with Trophy Trunks created for Roland Garros, and the Davis Cup.
It also adds to the brand’s history of making travel cases for other sporting events, including the FIFA World Cup, Ballon d’Or, Rugby World Cup, NBA Championship Trophy, Formula One’s Grand Prix de Monaco, League of Legends, and the America’s Cup.
“After the Trophy Trunks created for the Rugby World Cup and the Ballon d'Or in 2023, we are proud to announce this new partnership with the first Grand Slam tournament of 2024, which once again shows that Victory travels in Louis Vuitton,” Louis Vuitton CEO and chairman Pietro Beccari said.
“For more than 170 years, the Maison has been creating trunks that embody excellence, creativity and audacity, all values we share with the world's greatest sporting events.”
Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley welcomed the strategic partnership with the French Maison.
“The Australian Open and Louis Vuitton both share a commitment to unparalleled excellence and innovation while retaining great respect for history, tradition and the celebration of legendary achievement and skill,” Tiley said.