Board games have long been considered a travel essential, allowing you to get competitive with your travel companions. Recently, six major Maisons have reinterpreted classic games, turning from items thought of as just pastimes into portable objects of style. Whether perched on a yacht, tucked into a trunk, or laid out on your jet, these exquisite sets transform play into a refined ritual.
Gucci have reinterpreted the classic chessboard and made it their own. Wrapped in the house’s signature GG Supreme canvas and finished with vibrant detailing, the board is as eye-catching as it is entertaining. The chessboard is composed of varnished beige and ebony mahogany wood, while the chess pieces are made from cast iron and aluminium alloy. Compact enough to fit into a travel tote, it’s the perfect companion for long afternoons at the beach.
Fendi takes the simplicity of tic tac toe and turns it into a collector’s object. The board is sleek, sculptural, and adorned with the iconic FF motif, both playful and polished. Crafted from calfskin, oak wood, and plexiglass, and accompanied by a Napa leather handle, it’s the ideal piece to bring along for weekend escapes or to keep as a striking decorative accent in your hotel suite. It may be the simplest game on the list, but in Fendi’s hands, it becomes one of the most exciting.
Inspired by their iconic Panthère, Cartier brings to life their very own backgammon game. Protected by their red leather case, it sports enamel inlays and gilded touches that echo the house’s high-jewellery sensibility. The board itself rests atop a soft beige fabric base, allowing the textural contrast to enhance the game’s sculptural appeal. Two hidden drawers slide open to reveal a full set of galalith pieces and five resin dice. This Cartier backgammon set truly sets the standards for unmatched sophistication.
Louis Vuitton has collaborated with renowned contemporary artist Takashi Murakami to create not only an artful puzzle but also a collector’s item. Stapled with Murakami’s iconic Superflat Panda character and the classic LV monogram, the 539-piece jigsaw puzzle, stored in a plexiglass pull-out drawer with a cowhide leather handle, is an absolute essential to take on holidays and enjoy with your family.
Leave it to Hermès to take a simple deck of playing cards and give it such character. Branded with the delicate equestrian motif, the H tissage, the cards are housed in a leather case, making this not only a playful game but also a decorative item to place atop the table of your holiday house.
Berluti makes solitude a statement with fashionable art de vivre, crafting the classic Solitaire game from its signature patinated Venezia leather. The board features 36 precision-cast brass balls, including one subtly engraved with the Maison’s name. Echoing the same savoir-faire seen in their famous shoemaking, this delicate game is a meditative piece designed for moments of calm between destinations. Say goodbye to loneliness, say hello to chic solitude.
