In 1938, as war loomed in Europe, French artist Marcel Duchamp began collecting materials for his Box-in-a-Suitcase. He planned to create 20 deluxe editions of this compact case, each containing 69 reproductions of his most important works—a miniature retrospective of his career. Posing as a cheese merchant, he smuggled the materials through occupied France and eventually shipped them across the Atlantic to be assembled in New York.
Duchamp may have drawn inspiration from the French tradition of travel toiletry kits, known as nécessaires de voyage, which date back to medieval times. (You can still find vintage 1940s Hermès cases online—sleek, professional-looking bags that discreetly held everything needed for a refined grooming routine.) These kits reached their peak in the 18th century, crafted by master artisans. Queen Marie Antoinette, under house arrest during the French Revolution and plotting her escape, sent her precious nécessaire ahead of her. It was fitted to hold 94 items, including perfume and medicine bottles, ebony powder containers, ivory brushes, and even a silver and porcelain set for making tea and hot chocolate. She was so attached to it that sending it abroad raised suspicions.
This fall, Louis Vuitton is launching a beauty line, complete with a range of leather accessories to store the products.
Photo: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton Malletier Archives.
Today, we’re living through uncertain times again. Perhaps that’s why the luxury market is betting that travelers will want to bring their beauty routines with them. A nécessaire offers a portable haven of elegance, comfort, and familiarity. Forget snail slime—these days, it’s the snail’s shell we’re after, a protective layer in an unpredictable world.
The evidence? At Victoria Beckham’s fall 2025 show in Paris, models walked through a minimalist space with serious expressions, their hair slicked back, clutching small rectangular vanity cases. Dior is offering “fragrance cases”—cylindrical containers for single scents—and mini trunks for multiple perfumes. The cases feature the brand’s signature prints, like houndstooth—a subtle nod to menswear by founder Christian Dior—and are hand-finished in leather. So even if borders close, you can still enjoy your perfumes at home or carry them stylishly on the subway. You might also spot Chanel’s holiday makeup pouches in tweed with metallic threads, doubling as handbags. (Last year’s fuzzy white pouch featured the Chanel Beauté logo, likely to distinguish it from an actual Chanel purse.)
Of course, Louis Vuitton, who started as a box maker in the 19th century, knew a thing or two about packing. By the 1920s, responding to a travel boom and growing taste for luxury, his company was creating elegant Art Deco travel kits designed to safely carry everything for a sophisticated grooming routine. One line of Louis Vuitton toiletry cases was named after the French soprano Marthe Chenal, who stirred Paris with her passionate performance of “La Marseillaise” on Armistice Day in 1918 and traveled the world with a custom Louis Vuitton vanity covered in crocodile leather and accented with tortoiseshell and silver vermeil.
Photo: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton Malletier.
This fall, under the direction of Pat McGrath, the brand is launching a new beauty line with reusable, customizable packaging. You can have your initials engraved on your lipstick tube alongside the iconic L and V. Makeup in such chic cases almost demands to be applied in public—on your way to work or at a fancy restaurant table. And when—When the need arises, you won’t have to dig through your handbag—Vuitton has introduced a collection of small leather accessories to hold these items. There are classic vanity cases in the brand’s iconic monogram print and in colors that echo the new lipstick shades. But what really caught my eye were the mini cases made for individual products, like an eyeshadow palette tucked into a pouch shaped like a tiny hatbox. These can be attached to your purse or luggage like charms.
Of course, nothing transports you quite like fragrance, and with scent, you can travel without ever leaving home. But if you do venture out, Henry Jacques has some ideas. For years, this family-run business crafted custom perfumes for a private clientele. Now, visitors to their Paris boutique on Avenue Montaigne begin their olfactory journey even before stepping inside, as they walk through a small garden gently infused with fragrance.
“Many of our clients are true perfume lovers, completely passionate about scent,” says Anne-Lise Cremona, the current director and daughter of the founder. “It becomes an addiction, and when you’re away from home, you want your collection with you.” Cremona recalls one international client who “arrived with a whole suitcase full of our perfumes. That’s when I knew I had to create something.”
Thus, HJ Voyage was born—a line of travel cases for fragrance, made from luxurious materials like powder-blue crocodile leather and dark Japanese eel skin. Soon after, the company launched the Clic-Clac: a slender titanium case that slides open using precision watchmaking techniques to reveal a capsule of fine solid perfume. A recent rose gold version features an Art Deco-inspired floral motif, with carnelian cabochon petals encircled by diamond dewdrops.
I have to admit, it was all too easy to picture myself slipping it out of my bag after dinner, setting it lightly on the table before applying a touch of perfume. “Accessories can give you confidence,” Cremona notes. I can certainly believe that.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a helpful and clear FAQ about The Case for a Makeup Bag
Frequently Asked Questions The Makeup Bag
Beginner Questions
Q What is a makeup bag
A Its a small bag or pouch designed to store organize and transport your cosmetics skincare and beauty tools
Q Why do I even need a dedicated makeup bag Cant I just use any bag
A While you can a dedicated makeup bag is designed to protect your products from spills breaks and general mess keeping your purse or luggage clean and organized
Q What are the main benefits of using one
A The key benefits are organization protection portability and hygiene
Q What should I look for in my first makeup bag
A Look for something durable the right size for your needs easy to clean and with a secure closure
Practical Usage Questions
Q How do I organize my makeup bag
A Use the bags compartments or add small pouches inside to group similar items Keep daily essentials upfront and seasonal or rarely used items in the back
Q How often should I clean my makeup bag
A You should wipe out the interior with a disinfecting wipe at least once a month Do a deep clean every 34 months to prevent bacteria buildup
Q My products keep leaking and making a mess How can I prevent this
A Always ensure lids and caps are screwed on tightly For liquids place a small piece of plastic wrap under the cap before closing it Store bottles upright and consider a bag with a separate leakproof compartment
Q Whats the difference between a travel makeup bag and an everyday one
A A travel bag is often larger more structured and has more compartments to securely hold a full routine An everyday bag is usually smaller and designed to hold just your touchup essentials for your purse
Advanced ProTip Questions