Moynat is a Parisiantrunkmaker, founded inParis in 1849 by Octavie and François Coulembier.[1] They collaborated with specialist Pauline Moynat in travel goods to open the company's first store atAvenue de l'Opera, France. The house participated in various World's Fairs.[2]
The House of Moynat was the result of a meeting between Pauline Moynat, who sold travel goods in the Opera district ofParis, and the Coulembier family, manufacturers from thefaubourgs—the inner suburbs to the north of the city.[3]
In 1849, the trunk makers opened their first atelier. They joined with Pauline Moynat to open the Moynat boutique in 1869 on what was then the Place du Théâtre Français (now the Place André Malraux), opposite the famousComédie-Française.[3]
Moynat patented its first inventions for packaging materials in 1854. The label was the first to use hardenedgutta-percha waterproofing to produce its trunks and packing boxes. In 1870, Moynat brought out the wicker trunk, known as the "English trunk" or "Moynat trunk".[4] The boutique was situated at the center ofHaussmann's redesigned Paris. Following the construction of theAvenue de l'Opéra in 1876, it took pride of place at path number 1.
A Moynat horse cart, 1880
The first Moynat Boutique Avenue de l'Opéra in 1869
The Coulembier brothers, Moynat directors, 1906The Moynat factory, rue Coysevox in 1907
In 1889, Jules Coulembier created a new system of lightweight trunks, followed in 1910 by the invention of an extra-light model.[5] The House of Moynat also produced a series of security mechanisms for its trunks.[5]
In 1905, the Moynat began a long-lasting collaboration withHenri Rapin. Rapin designed the logos of the House, the Moynat monogram, illustrated the product catalogues and conceived the models presented at universal and international exhibitions.[citation needed] In 1907, the Coulembier family began construction on a model factory at 15 rue Coysevox up atMontmartre.[citation needed]
Moynat was a regular participant in theWorld's Fairs since the second edition in Paris in 1867. The house also took part in theExposition Universelle in Paris in 1900,Brussels in 1910,[6] was appointed jury member at theTurin exhibition in 1911 and was awarded two gold medals and two special prizes atGhent in 1913.[7] In 1925, Moynat broke the record at theExposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels,[8] where its automobile trunks were awarded aDiplôme d’Honneur by its peers together with gold, silver and bronze medals.[9]
Orcofi, theVuitton family's holding company, bought Malles et Voyages in 1989, following the disposal of the bulk of its shares inLVMH. Orcofi's CEO,Vuitton's former PresidentHenry Racamier (1912–2003), had planned to relaunch Moynat as a competitor toLouis Vuitton. However, Orcofi was eventually sold toAXA in 1996.[citation needed]
Luxury goods holding company,Luvanis SA, bought the rights into Moynat in the late 2000s, developed a revival plan and assigned the brand toGroupe Arnault.LVMH CEOBernard Arnault's holding company bought Moynat in 2010.[10] In December 2011, Moynat reopened with a store at 348Rue Saint-Honoré,[11][12] followed by shops in London in 2014,[13] Hong Kong,[14] Beijing in 2015, Tokyo,[15] New York,[16] Seoul,[17] Taipei in 2016, Singapore in 2017[18] and Dubai in 2018.[19]
Nicholas Knightly was hired as its new creative director in November of 2022.[20] In December 2022, musician Pharrell Williams partnered on the launch of a bag in collaboration with Moynat.[21]
In 2023, Moynat scheduled a world tour, the Moynat World Tour.[1][22][23] It consists of a roving pop-up.[1] The tour launched in Paris atLe Bon Marche Rive Gauche on February 18.[24] The tour also celebrated and coincided with the 103rd anniversary of Moynats Toile 1920 M, the canvas that is used for their made-to-order luggage.[1][24][25]
^Comité Français des Expositions à l'Étranger, Groupe XV classe 99, industrie du caoutchouc et de la gutta-percha, exposition universelle et internationale de Bruxelles 1910, Georges Vuitton reporting
^Comité Français des Expositions à l'Étranger, Groupe XV classe 99, industrie du caoutchouc et de la gutta-percha, exposition universelle et internationale de Gand 1913, Lamy-Thorrilhon reporting
^Catalogue Général de l'Exposition Universelle de 1867
