The history of this brand began in 1837, when Louis Vuitton, then 16 years old, moved to Paris to start his handcrafted luggage business.
In Monsieur Maréchal's Paris workshop, Louis Vuitton quickly became a highly regarded craftsman. This was the origin of a specialized activity and the beginning of a career in an industry based on his ability to customize suitcases and trunks according to customers' wishes. Louis Vuitton held this position for 17 years before opening his Atelier at 4 rue Neuve-des-Capucines, near Place Vendôme. It was a bold choice that would prove successful: almost two centuries later, his initials are among the most famous in the world, and the Monogram canvas has become the international symbol of luxury.
In 1875, the creation of the first vertical wardrobe trunk, with each piece carefully designed, ensured the success of a company already specialized in travel. In 1886, the cylindrical lock padlock enabled customers to open each piece of luggage with a single key. Two years later, in 1888, the famous Damier cloth was created and registered. In 1892, Louis Vuitton passed away.
The rest of the Louis Vuitton story was written by his son Georges and grandson Gaston-Louis.
In 1896, the famous Monogramme LV was created to celebrate his father. The motif is composed of his father's intertwined initials LV; to complete the canvas, Georges adds a four-petal flower enclosed in a circle, a four-pointed flower and a lozenge containing it. In creating this canvas, Georges was inspired by the Gien faience tiles with four-petal flowers, a decorative element present in the kitchen of the family home in Asnières. In 1905, the Monogram canvas was registered as a trademark; this logo, which has remained unchanged over the years, has marked the evolution of the world of luxury fashion.
In 1914, Georges Vuitton opened a store on the Champs Élisées, in an Art Nouveau building that became the historic symbol of the Maison. In the years that followed, the brand expanded and became a pure luxury product.
In 1987, the LVMH empire was born from the merger of Louis Vuitton and Moët Hennessy. Ten years later, American designer Marc Jacobs is commissioned to develop new lines of ready-to-wear, shoes and accessories.
After 15 years at Balenciaga, French designer Nicolas Ghesquière replaced Marc Jacobs in 2013. In 2020, Nicolas Ghesquière is joined by Johnny Coca to create high-end accessories.
Today, Louis Vuitton remains true to the spirit of its founder, Louis Vuitton, who invented the true Art of Travel through creative, elegant and practical trunks, bags and accessories.
Copyright photo: @ Image courtesy: Louis Vuitton
