Trunk call

Thakkar speaks for a generation that attaches a lot of importance to functionality and is,at the same time,fast succumbing to the lure of the vintage. With vintage being a buzzword,“old” is no longer relegated to the back of the wardrobe. Earlier,trunks were most commonly used for extended periods away from home,such as for boarding school or long trips abroad. But today,it has been rediscovered,and has also been given a contemporary twist by several designers,including Shah,Swali and veteran designer Arjun Khanna. “Trunks are about heritage and nostalgia,which only add to their appeal as collectibles. What I have done is offer a modern spin without tampering with their essence. For instance,I have covered trunks with collages of denim swatches,and newspaper and comic book prints,” says Khanna.

It’s not just the decor driven,heavy trunks that are being reinvented; Toteteca has adapted trunks for a younger audience,too. The online accessories label,that specialises in bags,totes and clutches,reaches out to more people with colourful jewellery box interpretations of the trunk. “These boxes are in demand as they make for smart fashion statements. The look is decidedly western and these functional carry cases work better in an everyday setting,” says Kushal Chudiwala,who heads Toteteca.

Brands such as Louis Vuitton and Trunks Company Jaipur cater to a segment that looks at trunks as a status symbol. Livio Delesgues,chief designer at the latter company,asserts that trunks are known to be premium accoutrements of the elite for their travel and sporting expeditions. “Today,we have rekindled the legacy of trunks for the contemporary world,” he says.

Customisation has also fed the trunk’s popularity — a monogrammed trunk holds more appeal than an ordinary one. Luxury brand Louis Vuitton,for one,is famous for its personalisation services. Clients can pick a maximum of three initials to be painted on the trunk — available in eight font sizes,accompanied by stripes in a rich palette of colours. Chudiwala points out that the miniature monogrammed trunk cases are the most popular item at Toteteca,while Swali says that brides often ask for trunks tailored to suit their needs. “Additionally,these trunks have personalised tags,” she says.