Today at the Home of FIFA in Zurich, Louis Vuitton and FIFA announced their collaboration on a new travel case for the FIFA World Cup Trophy. Currently being designed, it will be used for the first time at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™.

The FIFA World Cup Trophy, which stands 36.8cm high, weighs 6.175 kilograms and is made of 18-carat gold, is the world's greatest football prize. The trophy remains in FIFA’s possession whilst the winner of the FIFA World Cup™ takes home the FIFA World Cup Winner’s Trophy. In the future, thanks to the collaboration with Louis Vuitton, the authentic FIFA World Cup Trophy will travel in a unique and elegant case.

What is and always has been unique about Louis Vuitton is a very special blend of tradition and innovation, craftsmanship and creativity, history and modernity. It was in 1837 that Louis Vuitton arrived in Paris and apprenticed himself to Monsieur Maréchal, a reputed layetier-emballeur, the term used in those days for packers of travellers’ trunks. He inaugurated his own Maison in 1854, one that became, over time, a luxury house renowned for its savoir faire and its expertise in the making of special orders.

Today, the Asnières workshop in France designs and makes some 450 special orders a year, complying with the most exceptional requests. The company’s original vocation as a layetier-emballeur is thus respected, for Louis Vuitton has always created cases to carry its clients’ most treasured belongings.

It is with that in mind that FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter decided to place a special order for a case for the most coveted trophy in the world: the FIFA World Cup Trophy. “The FIFA World Cup Trophy is our most precious asset. It’s the most coveted trophy, not only in the world of football but beyond. It succeeds in uniting fans all around the world in a healthy competition for the final prize. A trophy as precious as the FIFA World Cup Trophy deserves a travel case of the same elegance and prestige. From now on, the trophy will not only travel in safety, but it will also travel in style.”

Today, Louis Vuitton is honoured to be able to bring its savoir faire to the most exceptional sporting competition of our time by accompanying the legendary trophy on its future travels around the world.

Antoine Arnault, Head of Communications for Louis Vuitton, commented: “We are very proud to have been chosen by FIFA to dedicate our know-how to creating the case for the most beautiful trophy: the FIFA World Cup Trophy. From the legendary bed-trunk developed by Georges and Louis Vuitton in 1868 for the explorers, to the case for the oldest sporting trophy – the America’s Cup – and the special order for the iPod case from a well-known designer, the Maison has always combined clever and elegant ways to satisfy the very specific needs of its clients, allowing them to express their uniqueness or achieve their dream.”