Louis Vuitton “Volez, Voguez, Voyagez” exhibition travels to Shanghai after stops in Paris, Tokyo, Seoul and New York

After Paris, Tokyo, Seoul and New York, Maison Louis Vuitton has brought its “Volez, Voguez, Voyagez” exhibition to the Shanghai Exhibition Center from November 16, 2018 to February 1, 2019. Conceived by curator Olivier Saillard, the exhibition presents a vast retrospective of the storied House from 1854 to the present, featuring selected historical works alongside current pieces to take visitors on a memorable journey between past and present.

In early December 2015 Louis Vuitton unveiled a blockbuster retrospective exhibition at the Grand Palais entitled “Volez, Voguez, Voyagez”. The exhibition then went on the road to showcase the Maison’s stunning heritage in Tokyo, Seoul and New York. Since mid-November the event has been in Shanghai, adding a host of new pieces along the way. Conceived as a journey through history by Artistic Director and Set Designer Robert Carsen, “Volez, Voguez, Voyagez” spotlights pieces that reflect the strong ties the trunkmaker has always had and continues to cultivate with China. They include a trunk in which philanthropist and photographer Albert Khan transported his equipment as he traveled through the country to document daily life in China. Another highlight is the more recent Cocktail & Cigar Trunk crafted for the celebrated artist Ding Yi.

The exhibition follows different chronologies as it takes visitors through 15 rooms, each dedicated to an emblematic chapter in the history of Louis Vuitton. In addition to the automobile, cruises, trains and aviation, all of which figure at the heart of travel that has always defined the Maison, curator Olivier Saillard has introduced more subtle themes such as writing, fragrances, feminine and masculine elegance, plus artistic collaborations. Each room contains delightfully surprising objects such as the Steamer Bag created in the early 20th century, or a trunk that belonged to Marie-Antoinette, displayed thanks to a special loan by the Château de Versailles. The exhibition culminates with a room featuring  some of the Maison’s most iconic bespoke dresses against the backdrop of neon artworks by Chinese artist He An, plus a section dedicated to the savoir-faire of artisans in Louis Vuitton workshops.

“Louis Vuitton has always been at the forefront of creation and innovation, today and over a century ago. Constantly taking inspiration from our past we craft the trends of today. Olivier Saillard has immersed himself in the Louis Vuitton archives to decode its secrets. He delivers a fresh vision of our past, present and future,” says Michael Burke, CEO of Louis Vuitton.

Practical details:

Shanghai Exhibition Center

1333 Nanjing Xi Lu, Gate 8, Shanghai

Exhibition hours: Monday to Sunday 10am to 8pm

Free admission