Sleep in style, anywhere, with the reimagined Louis Vuitton Bed Trunk for world adventurers

In the annals of design history, few objects have captured the imagination quite like the Louis Vuitton Bed Trunk. This unexpected fusion of elegance and practicality challenges the very notion of what a travel essential should be.

The story of the Bed Trunk began in 1868, when Monsieur Louis Vuitton, ever the innovator, dreamt up the world’s first portable bed. It was an ingenious solution for explorers craving both the lap of luxury and the thrill of the unknown as they ventured forth into uncharted territories.

In 1885, Louis’ son Georges patented the design, and soon, the Bed Trunk became the coveted companion of adventurers, explorers, and military strategists alike.

The contemporary version was unveiled in 2023, featuring Louis Vuitton’s classic Monogram canvas exterior concealing a folding bed frame in lightweight aluminium and beechwood.

As the trunk opens, it reveals a haven of comfort and practicality — a thick, four-part mattress topped with memory foam, secured by the same woven cotton straps that have held personal belongings in place since Louis Vuitton’s earliest trunks. The bed’s head can tilt for added comfort, and a beechwood bedside table can be added, creating a cosy oasis even in the midst of the most far-flung adventures.

Recently reimagining the Bed Trunk once again are the maison’s two leading talents, Nicolas Ghesquiere and Pharrell Williams, who gave their very own bold interpretations for today’s style set.

In the hands of Nicolas Ghesquiere, artistic director of the women’s collections, it is transformed into a dark, eclectic boudoir. Sleek engraved metal plates and modern corner pieces evoke a sense of dystopian elegance, while luscious floral patterns on the mattress, drawing from the designer’s Spring-Summer 2018 collection, channels romance.

Pharrell Williams, the men’s creative director at Louis Vuitton, took the Bed Trunk’s rich history and gave it a contemporary twist. Inspired by one of Louis Vuitton’s earliest designs, Pharrell’s version features distressed striped patterns on the exterior, echoing the 1872 canvas that had first captured the world’s attention.

Inside, red and white stripes create a striking contrast with the jacquard mattress and pillow, which come embroidered with the playful “LV Lovers” motif.

As the Bed Trunk continues to evolve, one thing remains clear: The spirit of adventure, of luxury on the move, will always be at the heart of Louis Vuitton.

*This story was originally published on The Peak Malaysia.