A few months ago we discovered the surprising passion of designer Ralph Lauren towards cars. It has led him to collect authentic museum specimens throughout the years, up to the point of organising an exclusive exhibition of his collection in the Louvre museum of Paris.
The Louis Vuitton Car Race in 2006
The relationship between the vehicle and fashion is, actually, very close, and it will be seen this week in the most watched and elegant classic of the circuit: the Louis Vuitton Classic Run. The race of vintage cars organised by Louis Vuitton has explored the most well-known roads of the world throughout the years, and returns to Italy from April 23 to 28. A total of 43 of the world's most coveted vintage cars will wind through the picturesque countryside from Monte Carlo to Venice, in a fascinating route that was used by the high society at the beginning of the 20th century. In total 1,300 kilometres through the Alps, with elegant urban views, secondary streets, romantic lakes, buildings from the Belle Epoque and villas of the Riviera of Brenta.
The art of travelling with elegance has become one of the label's most powerful initiatives within the fashion industry, since the Maison created its first collection of trunks, rigid suitcases and adaptable hatboxes for cars in 1897. The most famous: the Sacs Chauffeurs of 1905, that, besides filling the exact gap beside the spare wheel, it also conveniently worked as a place to fit up to five women's hats. In order to pay homage to these memorable adventures, Louis Vuitton has decided to organise the Classic Run races in modern times: a tribute to the world of luxury automobiles but also to the Maison’s pioneering spirit. In previous editions the race has taken this curious convoy though exotic and difficult routes like the jungle in Malaysia in 1993, the vineyards and historic cities of Tuscany in 1995, and the oak forests of Budapest, Prague and Vienna during the LV Classic Boheme Run in 2006.
