Trunk

Bags

Elephant
With the emergence of luxurious boat trips, cabin trunks were developed from 1870 onwards to transport the many garments of the high society. The suitcases, beautifully covered inside with luxurious fabrics and equipped with chromed bars and lacquered drawers, acted at the same time as a wardrobe cabinet and did not have to be unpacked. They offered room for fifteen to eighteen dresses, suits or coats. In 1936 Vuitton was commissioned by conductor Leopold Stokowski to design a special trunk with a drawer and folding table to work on. Actress and singer Marlene Dietrich had an impressive suitcase collection. She owned more than 120 pieces, including a man-sized wardrobe suitcase, which she called ‘elephant’ because of its size, the grey colour and weight.

Image: © Collection Museum of Bags and Purses

 

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