From the most iconic bags to haute couture clothing collections, Louis Vuitton has remained at the top as a luxury brand for over 150 years, and in this article, we’re going to learn about the history of Louis Vuitton.
The brand was founded by Louis Vuitton in 1854, a young man of just 16 who arrived in Paris on foot to pursue his dreams. He opened his first atelier in Paris at 4 Rue Neuve-des-Capucines. Louis Vuitton began by making suitcases, with designs that revolutionized the era and won over the French and European aristocracy, which ended up establishing Louis Vuitton as a prestigious brand. Also, the brand began with exceptional quality, handmade suitcases with details that didn’t go unnoticed and long-lasting durability. Napoleon III’s wife became one of its main clients, and with the support of the aristocracy, the brand positioned itself as a luxury and innovative brand of the time.
Georges Vuitton, son of Louis Vuitton, changed suitcase closures with an innovative and intelligent system of two-buckle locks with springs. In 1896, his son created the iconic “LV” monogram, which was a combination of the initial letters of his father’s name with floral symbols inspired by Japanese design, and ended up becoming one of the most well-known and copied prints in the fashion world. The brand’s product line began to diversify beyond trunks and suitcases, and it began to manufacture handbags, accessories and other quality leather goods. The Keepall bag was introduced in 1930 and was a hit, becoming an essential travel item to this day. At the beginning of the 20th century, Louis Vuitton innovated in design and expanded its stores to other countries, opening stores in the main fashion cities.
In 1987, the company joined LVMH, a merger between Moet et Chandon and Hennessy to create a diversified luxury empire, and today, LVMH is made up of more than 70 brands from different luxury sectors.
Famous Bags
Louis Vuitton bags convey luxury, elegance and style. The Speedy, Neverfull and Alma have become the brand’s classics, standing out for their history, design and the fact that they are timeless. The “Speedy” was created as a smaller, more practical version of the Keepall, as well as being versatile, and was made in various sizes. The “Neverfull”, launched in 2007, is known for its more spacious and open “tote bag” design and is functional due to its space. The “Alma”, which is one of the brand’s oldest models, has an Art Deco inspired design, with a different look than usual and the fact that it was commissioned by Coco Chanel, gives the model a certain history and exclusivity.
Marc Jacobs became artistic director of Louis Vuitton in 1997 and was responsible for the brand’s first ready-to-wear collection, creating iconic collaborations with various artists such as Sprouse, Takashi Murakami, Richard Prince, among others.
Louis Vuitton remains the definition of elegance and luxury. The brand continues to attract fashion lovers all over the world, whether for its bags or haute couture pieces, through its history, design and the functionality of its items.
