Louis Vuitton opens two new Maisons

By

Florent Gilles

Published
May 8, 2013

This spring the flagship brand of the LVMH group is treating itself to two new exceptional stores, large and luxurious “maisons” or houses situated in spectacular locations. The company just celebrated the openings of its first maisons in Venice and Munich over two consecutive weeks.

The Venice boutique opened its doors in a 1,200 square meters space on three levels at 1345 Calle San Marco. The store currently features an exhibition running until May 19 that explores the historical ties between the French brand and the city of Venice. Louis Vuitton has sponsored several of the city’s institutions including the famous Biennale of art and architecture. The top floor features an art library, bathed in natural light under a glass roof. The building picked by Louis Vuitton dates back to 1906 and was long known as the Cinema Teatro San Marco.

A few days after its Venetian opening, the brand took off for Munich where it celebrated its first “Maison” in Germany, together with actress Uma Thurman and Michael Burke, the brand’s new CEO from America. The last Louis Vuitton opening in Germany was 35 years ago.

The Munich store, too, displays the brand’s collections over three levels that also includes a gallery space. The “starchitect” Peter Marino from New York was tasked with reinterpreting this building located on Residenzstrasse. Built in 1838, the edifice was one of the city’s first post offices. The theme of correspondence makes an appearance in the mini viral film concocted by the brand to get out the word on this opening (below).