It comes as no surprise that Louis Vuitton has had a longstanding connection to competitive sports. Over the years, the maison’s trunk-making craftsmanship and heritage have been centrepieces to many sports championships the world over.
Louis Vuitton-crafted travel trophy cases have housed the championship trophies of the 35th America’s Cup, 2015’s Rugby World Cup, Roland-Garros tennis tournament and three consecutive editions of the FIFA World Cup. Last year, the maison took ownership of the first eSports trophy case for the 2019 League of Legends World Championships, and it continued the partnership with the 2020 edition held this past 31 October.
The announcement made in January this year seemed like any other: Louis Vuitton partnering with one of America’s most beloved institutions, the NBA. Yet, while the NBA has had multiple collaborations with various fashion brands before, the three-year deal with Louis Vuitton is the first of its kind. And especially one of this magnitude.
The deal officially marks the first time that the NBA’s Larry O’Brien Trophy is housed in a travel trophy case, and Louis Vuitton its first provider. Just like previous travel trophy cases by Louis Vuitton, the case is covered completely in the maison’s distinct Monogram canvas and fitted with brass fixtures. The NBA’s traditional blue colour was chosen to line the interior.
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