Luxury brand drops anchor in middle of metropolis

An iconic trunk with an immersive tunnel featuring Guilin (in Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region) landscape projections and a foldable 1986 Monogram coated-canvas trunk that transforms into a bed alongside century-old perfume bottles — these are some of the highlights of Louis Vuitton's new cultural landmark, The Louis, in Shanghai.

Unveiled in late June, The Louis, a 1,600-square-meter ship-shaped building, dropped its "anchor" in the Jing'an district, drawing inspiration from dual heritages: the brand's 19th-century legacy of crafting steamer trunks for transoceanic journeys, and Shanghai's port culture as an international gateway.

The giant vessel has attracted throngs of visitors from China and abroad during the past weekend.