Star Treatment: Custom Orders for Preferred Louis Vuitton Customers

For more than a century, Louis Vuitton has craftedand coming back for more, while also solidifying the
some of the finest luxury handbags, wallets, luggagebrand's reputation as the industry's finest designer. And
pieces, and sunglasses to sell at its prestigious stores.by making the news with these larger-than-life custom
But for some lucky select customers, the itemsitems, Louis Vuitton gets valuable publicity.
available to the general public are just a sampling ofFor high-profile customers that have enough money to
what is available. To meet special requests, thepay, Louis Vuitton will commission the creation of a
acclaimed fashion house creates a limited number ofwide range of custom items -- although there are
custom Louis Vuitton handbags and other items forstandards that must be met. A special-order item must
esteemed patrons. The special orders department isqualify as a travel item, to remain loyal to the principles
housed at the company's Paris, France headquarters.under which the company was launched. The fashion
There are around 600 special requests processed byhouse will honor special orders for garment bags,
Louis Vuitton in any given year. Below is just a short listsuitcases, cosmetics bags, purses, wallets, jewelry
of some of the many extravagant special requestscases, and sunglasses. Not all custom orders are
that have been commissioned by Louis Vuitton overhonored. For instance, Louis Vuitton once refused to
the years:create a designer casket requested by a client.
• A Japanese Kabuki artist once ordered anThe sky's the limit when it comes to ordering a custom
oversized makeup trunk with detachable legs.travel piece from Louis Vuitton. Placing your order is as
• For a Saudi prince, the company onceeasy as stopping into one of Louis Vuitton's
commissioned a custom travel trunk.international locations, but all custom orders must be
• Louis Vuitton created two custom iPod cases toapproved before they are processed. Allow six
meet the needs of famous designer Karl Lagerfeld.months for the completion of a custom order. During
• Upscale travelers have ordered special cases inthe construction process, Louis Vuitton keeps its
which to carry their minibars, backgammon sets, andpreferred customers up-to-date with photos of the
other novelty items.item in progress. Each customer's special-order items
• The fashion house once commissioned a paddedare assigned lock numbers that are unique to their
Louis Vuitton bag specifically designed to carry acustom collection. The company even offers the
birthday cake into a party.option for customers to visit the workshop to hammer
• A 19th-century Italian explorer once ordered ain the final nail.
lavish Louis Vuitton trunk to take along on an AfricanFor a special order item, you'll pay a minimum of
expedition.around $2,900, and the price can grow exponentially
• Louis Vuitton once created a custom tea casefrom there based on the size and complexity of the
for the maharaja of Baronda.item. One of the most extravagant special order items
• One of the house's custom travel bags from thewas a luxury chest made with inlaid maple and ebony
1920s was cleverly designed to nestle inside a sparewood and covered in supple leather, which cost
wheel hubcap.approximately $21,000.
How does honoring these special requests benefit theWhen you order a custom Louis Vuitton purse or
Louis Vuitton company? In many ways, according toaccessory to be commissioned just for you, you can
the manager of the special orders department.rest assured you'll be carrying a completely unique
Commissioning these outlandish custom items keepstravel item that won't be found on the arm of any of
the company's most prestigious customers satisfiedyour fellow travelers.