Louis Vuitton becomes the Official Trophy Travel Case Supplier of Rugby World Cup France 2023
During the tournament, which will take place across France in September and October 2023, this brand-new, bespoke case will hold and showcase the iconic Webb Ellis Cup.
The Maison worked closely with France 2023 to produce this bespoke travel case. It marks a new chapter in Louis Vuitton’s long-standing relationship with Rugby World Cup after a first case was created to hold the Webb Ellis Cup for the 2015 tournament.
The new case for Rugby World Cup France 2023 was hand-crafted by experienced artisans in Louis Vuitton’s historic workshops in Asnières, just outside Paris. The exterior is covered in legendary Louis Vuitton Monogram canvas, with the two front panels decorated with a V – for victory and Vuitton – painted in blue, white and red to recall the tournament’s colours. On the side are painted the Roman numerals XV or 15, an iconic number in the world of rugby, representing the number of players in a rugby union team. The exterior is finished with lozine trimming and the same brass corner protectors, lock and clasps that have been used on Louis Vuitton trunks since the 1860s. For the first time in the trophy case collection, the case is lined with rich Louis Vuitton leather, in the same Pantone blue colour as the V decoration. A Rugby World Cup France 2023 event mark is visible on the interior of the lid, adding another bespoke element to the case.
Michael Burke, Louis Vuitton Chairman and CEO, said: “With this new official Trophy Travel Case, Louis Vuitton is both happy and proud to continue its long-time commitment with rugby, highlighting its 160-year tradition of creating remarkable trunks. It is a great opportunity to bring our 'savoir-faire' to one of the world’s greatest sporting events, and once again to prove that ‘Victory Travels in Louis Vuitton’.”
Claude Atcher, France 2023 CEO, said: “Rugby World Cup France 2023 will showcase to the world all that France has to offer. This Official Travel Case is a wonderful representation of Louis Vuitton’s unique expertise and craftsmanship. We are honoured that it will hold the Webb Ellis Cup from now until the end of the tournament in 2023.”
The Official Trophy Travel Case for the Webb Ellis Cup is another landmark in Louis Vuitton’s long history of creating bespoke travel cases for the world’s most iconic trophies, including the FIFA World CupTM, NBA Larry O’Brien Trophy, League of Legends, Formula 1’s Grand Prix de Monaco, Davis Cup, Roland Garros, and the America’s Cup.
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Photo © Louis Vuitton / Piotr Stoklosa