The Arbiter of Luxury Travel
When Louis Vuitton opened his first luggage shop in 1854, the sign outside read: "Securely packs the most fragile objects. Specializing in packing fashions.” A modest description for a shop that would rapidly evolve into one of the world’s most iconic luxury fashion houses, Louis Vuitton is, at its core, about master craftsmanship. Following the brand’s humble debut on Rue Neuve des Capucine in Paris, Vuitton expanded his product offerings to meet the burgeoning demand of his elite (and often royal) clientele. When his son, Georges Vuitton, took ownership in 1892, LV reached international heights. In the transformative years of the early 1900s, the brand’s most iconic fashion staples would be developed, leaving an indelible mark on the trajectory of luxury travel.
In 1930, Under the helm of Georges and his son Gaston-Louis, the Vuitton brand launched its most identifiable travel piece to date: the Keepall. Perfectly capturing the spirit of modern travel and the era’s fast-paced lifestyle, the Keepall quickly became the most coveted weekender bag of all time. Moderately sized, flexible, and light, it functioned as the perfect counterpart to Louis Vuitton’s signature hard-sided suitcases and boxy trunks. The Keepall was a response to modern trends, and each element of its versatile shape is designed with clear intention. With only one large compartment, the Keepall can be easily folded into the bottom of a suitcase, prime for journeys of any distance. From Marc Jacobs to Virgil Abloh, modern interpretations of the Keepall (as inspired by LV’s legendary creative directors), have solidified it as the most timeless duffle for globe-trotting men and women alike.
Endless Range of Options
Designed with versatility in mind, the Keepall is offered in four different sizes (as indicated by width in centimeters): 45, 50, 55 and 60. Each comes with a luggage tag, padlock and handle buckle. While the first three size options are perfectly suited as air travel carry-ons, the 60 is too large to fit overhead. But, for long distance road trips, there is no duffle better suited than the Keepall 60. Additionally, the Keepall can be purchased with a detachable Bandoulière (shoulder strap), dually enhancing the bag’s strength and wearability.
If you love Louis Vuitton classics, the Keepall in Monogram canvas is a must-have in your collection. But, it would be impossible to go wrong with any of the color or material options: spanning Damier Ebene, Damier Graphite, Monogram Eclipse and Epi Leather. For something truly out of the box, look no further than the radical Keepall collaborations. From the Graffiti Keepall designed by Stephen Sprouse and the Monogramouflage Keepall by Takashi Murakami to the LV x Supreme Keepall Bandoulière, there has been no lack of inspired creations by renowned artists and brands over the years.
Virgil Abloh & Menswear Must-Haves
When it comes to limited editions of the Keepall, there are none more popular than the ones designed for Louis Vuitton Menswear collections. Particularly, those introduced under the helm of cultural disruptor and creative director, Virgil Abloh. During his illustrious career, Abloh merged luxury and streetwear in an unprecedented way. Intrinsic to his creative vision was the embrace of collaboration, and Abloh ensured that his platform at Louis Vuitton be shared with other creators. In tandem with streetwear designer Don C, Virgil Abloh established a three year capsule project with an institution just as culturally powerful as Louis Vuitton: the NBA. Naturally, this collaboration included a bold Keepall Bandoulière, luring in both sport and fashion fanatics. Most recently, in a two chapter creative play, Abloh collaborated with Japanese designer NIGO. Patchwork motifs are central to the collection’s accessories, with the LV Monogram “melting” into the leather surface on silhouettes like the Keepall Bandoulière. From 3D Nylon to Iridescent Monogram PVC, Abloh approached the iconic Keepall with an imaginative spirit, cementing it as an ever-changing classic for Louis Vuitton.
