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Life is a hyper-connected web of stories; stories that are passed from generation to generation and new stories that are made every day. There are stories that we may never remember, and stories that mark us in a way we will never forget. Stories are found in everything, and if you date it back long enough, stories shape who we are today. With nostalgia fluttering through our minds, we decided to highlight a cherished story from one of our favorite clients, a story that hit home for us today. Her story is unique to all of us handbag lovers, as it highlights how one cherished piece can keep alive those very stories that will never be forgotten.
“I grew up in upstate New York, where my godmother and aunt owned a horse farm. I spent every chance I could at the farm: helping clean stalls, preparing the horses for riders that would come from the city, and occasionally terrorizing the chickens. I loved the farm, the country life, and the amazing animals.
From 5 years old on, I would always escape to the top loft of the old chicken coop and hide in a big trunk that held all of the horse blankets. The smell of hay and horses brought me comfort. My aunt or her partner would come looking for me, always to find me comfy in the open trunk - lounging like the Queen of Sheeba. Of course, they both thought I was ridiculous.
The years went by, I got older, moved away, and found a fascination with Louis Vuitton when I got a job and could afford it. I would often go back to visit my my aunt and her partner. But I never went back up to that chicken coop.
A few years ago, my aunt called me with sad news. Her partner had passed away. I was heartbroken as she was my family as well. I went back up to the farm for the services. This happened during the springtime, so since we still had the cooler nights roll in, my aunt asked me to go up to that chicken coop and get the horse blankets so that we could wrap the horses for the night. I went up there and pulled the dusty cover off the trunk, and in shock and in awe, found that there was the old Louis Vuitton steamer trunk.
The emotion took over me and I almost started to cry. All of those years as a child playing in that trunk and I had no clue what it was, except for a magical trunk to play in. As I gathered the blankets, I found an envelope at the bottom, with note addressed to me. My aunt's partner had written the note knowing she was sick. In her note, she said she was leaving me the Louis Vuitton trunk, as she knew my fondness for it.
My aunt’s partner was originally from France and came over in the 40s with her parents. They were very well-off and had many different Louis Vuittons that were apparently up in that old chicken coop. The trunk was actually her father's trunk, and it dates back to the early 1900's.
I was so thankful for this most precious gift. Today, the trunk sits in my living room. Along with an old Louis Vuitton suitcase that I dated back to about the late 60's/early 70's. My house is small and humble, but my trunk is my prize possession.
I still find it funny that all those years went by, and I never knew what it was - beyond the ‘magical trunk’. Needless to say, it is my treasure and pretty much it is why I am an LV junkie”.
A handbag that has value is a handbag that stays with you for a long time, and a handbag that stays with you for a long time, is a handbag that collects stories. If you have a story you’d like to share with us, email us at shop@the-collectory.com . We can’t wait to hear them all!
