The handmade box that looks like a designer’s handbag is produced by La Malle Bernard in France, and can carry a full meal for 4 individuals
DS Automobiles is positioned among the trio of more upscale but still accessible brands within the Stellantis group, alongside Alfa Romeo and Lancia. To bolster this positioning, the French automaker has launched a range of chic accessories tailored to its premium lineup. Among them is a limited-edition Picnic Hamper, but it’s anything but affordable, as it might just leave your wallet crying for a picnic of its own.
The luxurious dining box was handmade by the DS Design Studio Paris in collaboration with La Malle Bernard, the oldest surviving manufacturer of picnic hampers in France. The exterior is upholstered in pearl gray Nappa leather, borrowing the Esprit De Voyage stamp from the fashion-inspired special editions of DS models.
Other highlights include embossed inserts on the handles and nickel-plated clasps. The interior features high-quality fabric lining covering the curved barrel wood walls, with the DS signature prominently displayed.
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The hamper was designed to carry a ‘fulfilling’ meal for four people. Inside, it holds four Bento boxes, four sets of cutlery, as well as an equal number of wine glasses and cotton/linen napkins by Guy Degrenne. Additionally, there are dedicated tubes for salt, pepper, oil, and vinegar, along with an isothermal bottle to keep your drinks cool or warm. Importantly, there is a large glass jar for dessert and special spoons.
The hamper also includes a Claude Dozorme chrome Laguiole knife, a cutting board made of walnut, and a L’Atelier du Vin corkscrew. Furthermore, each picnic hamper can be personalized to match a particular DS model and can also feature the owner’s credentials.
The product was originally unveiled last year but just came to our attention thanks to the Spanish division of DS Automobiles. The company presented it as a fitting gift for Father’s Day, which in some Catholic countries in Europe is celebrated on Saint Joseph’s Day, on March 19. Still, it refers to it as a “very limited edition” offering that requires “a dozen hours of work,” which means that not many fathers will be able to enjoy a DS-themed picnic.
DS Automobiles says that the price tag of the Picnic Hamper is €5,000 ($5,500), although the official website of the manufacturer mentions a slightly more affordable price of €4,000 ($4,400) before options. This might sound expensive for an ordinary picnic enthusiast, but it is much cheaper than the equivalent product that is offered by Rolls-Royce. The latter has a “price on request” label on Rolls-Royce’s website, but according to an old story by Bloomberg it costs a whopping $46,000.