It was in 1849 that Moynat would set up shop in Paris’ Opéra neighborhood. An instant reference in travel articles, the manufacturer caught the attention of a clientele for whom creativity and novelty rhymes with the durability of savoir-faire. Front and center were the trunks themselves, designed around a beautiful working of wood and jewelry; “by hand as always”, Moynat materialized the perfect portable bourgeois panoply. Their traditional and custom-made savoir-faire, their innovations… this is what made the trunks lighter and impermeable. An irreproachable quality and impeccable finish forged their reputation. The brand’s tag is incarnated in the label designed by Henri Rapin, a grid made of interlinked “M”s for a discreet and elegant signature. The style may be very pure and simple, but this is only to let the finished product reside in the realm of glamour and refinement. This is why Moynat trunks have traversed two centuries. Today, the brand guards this ancestral savoir-faire that allows them to perpetuate their story, that of one of the oldest brands in Paris.
For this to happen, the two timeless symbols of art du voyage that are Moynat and the Orient Express, the mythic train that recently got back up and running, decided to team up to make a grand comeback. “It’s also a beautiful opportunity that allows us to reconnect old ties and create new ones,” affirms Ramesh Nair, creative director for the brand. And it was for this occasion that the beauty trunk was made, an extremely delicate creation that required 250 hours of meticulous work. The Orient Express beauty trunk is covered in blue tanned veal leather and sheathed in supple light beige leather. It is structured around a piece of poplar wood, and its hinges are made of apple tree wood, renowned for its resistance, the beauty of its tint, and the finesse of its grain. These hinges are a veritable woodworking marvel. In all, the piece is an allegory for the savoir-faire and excellence of Moynat. But the enchantment of this trunk really comes to life upon opening it. A retro light-up mirror automatically turns on when opened, revealing a sophisticated interior. Drawers were custom-made so that the owner can discover the magic of a perfume bottle. And not just any perfume; it’s the perfume Shalimar enclosed by a Baccarat flask, just like in the Roaring 20s…
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