Louis Vuitton Malletier — commonly referred to as Louis Vuitton, commonly Anglicized as /ˈluːi ˈvuːtɒ/), or shortened to LV — is a French fashion house founded in 1854. The label is well known for its LV monogram, which is featured on most products, ranging from luxury trunks and leather goods to ready-to-wear, shoes, watches, jewellery, accessories, sunglasses, and books. Louis Vuitton is one of the world's leading international fashion houses. Louis Vuitton sells its products through small boutiques in high-end department stores, and through the e-commerce section of its website.
The Story Behind a Modern Fashion Powerhouse
The Story Behind a Modern Fashion Powerhouse
The Louis Vuitton logo, a Japanese-inspired flower motif, has been synonymous with luxury since it was first introduced in 1896. The famous monogram logo was created as a way to prevent counterfeiting of the Parisian company's designer luggage. This marks the appearance of the very first ‘designer label' as we have come to understand it in the contemporary marketplace. Ironically, Louis Vuitton has since become the most heavily counterfeited brand in fashion history, with only 1% of all Louis Vuitton-branded items in circulation considered authentic.
Louis Vuitton history has its roots in the excitement of the mid-Nineteenth Century, the extraordinary time when interest in travel was spreading throughout the world. New technologies made longer distances within reach of those who could afford them, and paintings and photographs of far-away cities and exotic places were in vogue around the world. The world wanted to travel, and Louis Vuitton began to etch its place in history as one of the first luggage companies designed to meet the needs of explorers, voyagers, and vacationers everywhere.
In today's world, Louis Vuitton conjures thoughts of the posh, extravagant lifestyle of the celebrities and socialites who, with cult-like zeal, carry purses and bags emblazoned with the Vuitton logo. It also conjures up thoughts of street vendors selling counterfeit merchandise to the consumers who covet the image the brand represents. Behind it all is the history of a company built by a single man who had a vision of blending timeless elegance with innovative functionality.
The Beginning (1854-1892)
Louis Vuitton history has its roots in the excitement of the mid-Nineteenth Century, the extraordinary time when interest in travel was spreading throughout the world. New technologies made longer distances within reach of those who could afford them, and paintings and photographs of far-away cities and exotic places were in vogue around the world. The world wanted to travel, and Louis Vuitton began to etch its place in history as one of the first luggage companies designed to meet the needs of explorers, voyagers, and vacationers everywhere.
In today's world, Louis Vuitton conjures thoughts of the posh, extravagant lifestyle of the celebrities and socialites who, with cult-like zeal, carry purses and bags emblazoned with the Vuitton logo. It also conjures up thoughts of street vendors selling counterfeit merchandise to the consumers who covet the image the brand represents. Behind it all is the history of a company built by a single man who had a vision of blending timeless elegance with innovative functionality.
The Beginning (1854-1892)
Louis Vuitton was born in Anchay, Jura, France in 1821. He moved from his hometown in 1835 at the age of fourteen. Two years later, he arrived in Paris and apprenticed for luggage- and trunk-maker Monsieur Marechal. Vuitton was trained in the art of fine-luggage creation, while working as a luggage packer for upscale Parisian families. This experience gave him insight into the world of luggage and the needs of travelers, serving him well when he launched his own luggage design business to serve wealthy, traveling Parisians. Vuitton was trained in the art of fine-luggage creation, while working as a luggage packer for upscale Parisian families. This experience gave him insight into the world of luggage and the needs of travelers, serving him well when he launched his own luggage design business to serve wealthy, traveling Parisians. Vuitton was trained in the art of fine-luggage creation, while working as a luggage packer for upscale Parisian families. This experience gave him insight into the world of luggage and the needs of travelers, serving him well when he launched his own luggage design business to serve wealthy, traveling Parisians.
In 1854, he opened his first store in Paris, creating Louis Vuitton Malletier ("Louis Vuitton Trunk-Maker"). Vuitton began by designing the first flat-topped trunks that were lightweight and airtight. At the time, all other trunks had rounded tops for water to run off, and thus could not be stacked in railway cars. But perhaps more important than the configuration of the flat trunk was it's cover, Louis Vuitton's signature grey "Trianon" canvas. The "Trianon" trunk quickly became popular as a symbol of cosmopolitan living and elegant traveling. The same year, Vuitton created innovative trunks to accommodate the voluminous crinolines worn by France's Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III. The Empress could be considered the beginning of Vuitton's carefully crafted image as a brand of luxury and celebrity. By1860, Vuitton was already successful enough to open a larger factory in Asnières-sur-Seine to accommodate the increased demand for his goods.
During the next decade, Vuitton created many innovative designs, including the first Vuitton wardrobe trunk, which contained a rail for hanging clothing and small drawers. Vuitton's son Georges developed the unique five-number combination lock that has since been found on all Vuitton trunks. Rival luggage manufacturers began imitating his popular luggage designs, which lead him to the creation of distinctive stripes and checkerboard patterns. In 1888, Louis and Georges collaborated on the "Damier Canvas" pattern, containing the first Vuitton trademark, a logo that reads "marque L. Vuitton déposée" ("mark L. Vuitton deposited" or roughly "L. Vuitton trademark"). Surprisingly contemporary, the "Damier Canvas" paired a lively geometric pattern with subdued hues. The result was a quiet elegance that has withstood the test of time for three centuries.
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