LOUIS VUITTON LINEN SECRETARY TRUNK RESTORATION

Because each new trunk has its share of inconveniences and challenges that we see as insurmountable. Like challenges. This restoration required 175 hours of work. We share with you, through this small article, our experience and our passion in the fascinating world of travel trunks.

This Louis Vuitton trunk came to us from Spain with cracked leathers , crumbling under our fingers. Fungi stain the interior canvas.

This trunk is a good demonstration and a good exercise of the know-how of the Malle2luxe workshops, a specialty in the restoration of old trunks and the Louis Vuitton, Goyard, Moynat, Hermès collection.

The canvas was very dirty and covered with dozens of barely legible hotel labels, proving its many  transatlantic crossings from its former owner. We fight against the "repaint" used by bad restaurateurs. This canvas has only been cleaned.

Leather is a living material , which hates humidity and heat . The peripheral belts of the luggage are totally cracked. We took the belt apart to replace the cracked leather with new cowhide leather. The methods and gestures have not changed.

Unlike the leather of the belts, the leather of the rims is very dirty but just needs to be cleaned because it is not cracked. It is easy to recognize "rotten" leather because it is charcoal black . It cannot be recovered: at the slightest friction it turns to dust . 

A hat drawer is one of the most complex parts to restore . The skeleton structure is made of very fine poplar wood and Louis Vuitton embroidered strap stretched and held by more than a hundred solid brass nails.  We had to take it apart with care, re-sheath the wood and put each tape back in place after cleaning them.

For this drawer it took us more than 22 hours of work. 

Because the quality of a restoration is in the details . The surface coating of the parts were oxidized (nails, brass part, wardrobe bar), was treated with nickel as originally.           

This chemistry work was carried out by our partner Bertin Aubert, whose workshops are based in Paris. He did a fantastic job.

We thank him again for his  help and professionalism.