Crocodilian Leather
Petite Boite Chapeau

Introducing The Petite Boite Chapeau
With its pedigree as the ultimate feminine travel accessory, the hatbox has been reimagined for the modern era as a day-to-evening bag. Inspired by Georges Vuitton’s patented chauffeur bag from 1905, designed to hold both a spare tire in the outer compartment and daily necessities in the inner one, Louis Vuitton’s first models of round, hard-sided trunks designed especially to protect hats date back to the early 1920s.
Small yet practical thanks to its distinctive shape, the Petite Boîte Chapeau is a covetable design made even more desirable in precious brilliant crocodile leather.
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Petite Boite Chapeau
A historic shape whose modern update transforms it into an everyday companion.
Crocodilian leather

Available in a hand-picked selection of the finest crocodilian skins, each Petite Boîte Chapeau is crafted using rare skins of the highest quality, chosen for their complex, exceptional nature, varying sizes, and singularity.
Crocodilian skins from three species – alligator, niloticus, and porosus – each boast unique textures and natural characteristics, requiring the utmost care and specialized craftmanship from Louis Vuitton’s expert artisans.


Bold design

First introduced on the Cruise 2018 runway, the now-iconic Petite Boîte Chapeau is Nicolas Ghesquière’s reinterpretation of a bold historic shape. At once structured and feminine, the hard-sided handbag embodied both Louis Vuitton’s travel DNA while quickly becoming a modern must-have. Whether carried as a clutch or worn with the shoulder strap, the Petite Boîte Chapeau adds a stylish, elegant touch to any ensemble.
Petite Boite Chapeau
Savoir-faire

Like our fingerprints, each crocodilian hide has a unique pattern and natural characteristics, whether it is from the alligator, niloticus, or porosus species. For each bag, Louis Vuitton’s experts must pair up to five matching skins and then cut them by hand, a true savoir-faire requiring specialized training and years of experience. The finished products are then meticulously controlled for natural pattern placement and symmetry among a long list of stringent quality requirements.