2017 America's Cup - America’s Cup trophy is traveling in good company

by America's Cup on 12 Feb 2016 2017 America's Cup - For the first time, the America’s Cup trophy, the 2018 FIFA World Cup Winner’s Trophy, and the Webb Ellis Cup (Rugby World Cup) have been brought together and displayed as part of the “Volez, Voguez, Voyagez – Louis Vuitton” exhibition at the Grand Palais in Paris during the weekend of February 6-7, 2016.

The three trophies are accompanied by their Louis Vuitton trophy travel cases, crafted in the House’s historical workshop in Asnières, France, and meticulously manufactured to house these legendary trophies. Adorned in the iconic Monogram canvas, the travel cases feature the signature brass lock and corners.

To kick off the weekend’s trophy display, Oracle Team USA skipper Jimmy Spithill was in attendance at the exhibition, along with Frank Leboeuf, member of the French national football team to win the 1998 FIFA World Cup, and Thierry Dusautoir, who captained France to the 2011 Rugby World Cup Final.

“Each of the trophies have a lot in common,” said Spithill at the exhibit. “To me the first thing that comes to mind is teamwork. They are all team-based trophies, winning them requires everyone to work together, so they represent a lot of hard work and overcoming tough times, on the way to achieving the ultimate goal. The other thing that’s really cool is the amount of history that’s behind each.

“It’s incredible to see the three trophies – they represent hundreds of years of sports,” Spithill said. “Excellence, teamwork, tradition – you see that in the Louis Vuitton brand as well, in every shop, exhibition, program they’re involved in. They do everything with a certain style that sets them apart. It really is an honor to be a part of the Louis Vuitton family, and to be involved with them throughout the America’s Cup.”

These three Special Order travel cases perpetuate Louis Vuitton's long tradition of creating elegant and ingenious cases for travelers. Over the course of 150 years, the Asnières workshop has produced numerous Special Orders, from the foldout trunk-bed that equipped the African explorer Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza to a portable tea service for the Maharajah of Baroda, which are currently on display at the Grand Palais as part of the “Volez, Voguez, Voyagez – Louis Vuitton” exhibition.

“The 2018 FIFA World Cup Winner’s Trophy, the Webb Ellis Cup and the America’s Cup trophy are the most sought-after, legendary trophies in the world,” explained Michael Burke, CEO of Louis Vuitton. “Only the winners have the right to embrace these iconic trophies, at the end of a fierce competition. Louis Vuitton packs these trophies, protects these legends and allows them to travel. Victory travels in Louis Vuitton.”

Louis Vuitton is celebrating “Volez, Voguez, Voyagez – Louis Vuitton” at the Grand Palais from December 4, 2015 through February 21, 2016. Curated by Olivier Saillard, this exhibition retraces Louis Vuitton’s great journey from 1854 till today, through depictions of the Maison’s founding members and those who create the Louis Vuitton of tomorrow.