Biography and History of Louis Vuitton

Born August 4, 1821, died February 27, 1892
opened a luggage store in Paris in 1854. More than a century later, Vuitton's handbags and luggage are now a status symbol around the world and are often looked to in the world of fashion.

Vuitton moved from his hometown of Anchury, Jura, France in 1835 at the age of fourteen. Two years later, he arrived in Paris and started working with Monsieur Marechal making trunks.

The Louis Vuitton CompanyEarly Days (1854-1892)
Louis Vuitton did not succeed until just after his death. Vuitton started with flat luggage. This luggage was lightweight, and was bought by France's Empress Eugénie in its first year of sale. In 1860, Vuitton was forced to relocate, where he expanded due to increasing demand. 7 years later, in Louis Vuitton won a bronze medal at the World's Fair. In 1871, Vuitton gained ground in the industry although many of his works were getting copied. In 1880, his son Georges married. On their wedding day, Louis gave over control of the business to Georges. Only 3 years later, Louis became a grandfather as Georges son Gaston-Louis Vuitton was born. In 1892, Louis Vuitton started selling handbags. On February 27th, Louis Vuitton died. Georges now had full control of the company.

Golden Age of Louis Vuitton (1893-1936)
After Louis' death, Georges made Louis Vuitton a worldwide corporation. Just a year after Louis died, Georges displayed Louis Vuitton at the 1893 World Fair in Chicago, Illinois. Georges continued to run Vuitton well as it spread internationally and his book "Le Voyage" [The Journey] was published in 1894.

In 1896, nearing the turn of the century, Louis Vuitton put out its trademark canvas. The 'Monogram Canvas', as it came to be called is shown to the right, as it uses various symbols and the Louis Vuitton logo, LV. Georges then sailed to the United States, in which he toured various cities such as New York, Philadelphia, and Chicago. He sold Vuitton products during the visit.

In 1899 Georges exhibited Vuitton products at the maiden Paris Auto Show.

At the turn of the century, in 1900, Georges Vuitton was given the honor to set up the "Travel Items and Leather Goods" section of the 1900 Paris World Fair. In 1901, the Louis Vuitton Company introduced the 'Steamer Bag', a small handbag to be kept inside Vuitton luggage trunks.

3 years later, in 1904 Georges chaired the jury for the St. Louis World Fair. In the same year, the Louis Vuitton company introduced a new line of trunks that have special compartments for items such as perfumes, clothing, and other goods.

In 1906, Georges' son Gaston-Louis married Renee Versille and Louis Vuitton introduces trunks for automobiles.

In 1914, the Louis Vuitton Building opens in Champs-Elysees. The building was the largest travel-goods store in the world at that time. Store locations open in New York, Bombay, Washington, London, Alexandria and Buenos Aires as World War I begins.

In 1924, only eight years after the end of World War I, the 'Keepall' is invented. This bag foreran the duffel bag in a travel bag for light travel to keep necessities in.

In 1929, the seventy-fifth anniversary of Louis Vuitton, a toiletry case is introduced specifically for opera singer Marthe Chenal. It could fit bottles, brushes, mirrors, powder boxes and more toiletries.

In 1931, Louis Vuitton introduced exotic bags such as a handbag of crocodile skin, as well as elephant hide handbags for the Colonial Exhibition.

In 1932, Louis Vuitton introduced the Nóe bag. This bag was made for champagne vinter to transport bottles.

In 1933, the Louis Vuitton Speedy bag was introduced.

In 1936, the golden age of Louis Vuitton ends as Georges Vuitton passes away. Estimates attribute Georges Vuitton with over 700 new Vuitton designs. Gaston-Louis Vuitton assumes control of the company. The secretary trunk is introduced for Leopold Stokowski, a conductor.

The Corporate Age of Louis Vuitton (1937 - Present Day)World War II lasts from 1939 to 1945.

In 1946 Vuitton decides to go toward other industries instead of laying off workers in the post-war situation.

In 1951, Louis Vuitton supplies all the travel items for President Auriol of France's tour of America after World War II.

In 1959, new innovations in the treatment of canvas allow more bags to be made, and Louis Vuitton releases a set of Monogram canvas bags.

Between 1959 and 1965, 25 new models of travel items were introduced each year; a total of 175 new travel items introduced.

In 1968, a Louis Vuitton sales office opens in Toyko, Japan.

In 1969, Gaston-Louis Vuitton dies.

In 1977, the Louis Vuitton SA holding company was created.

In 1978, Louis Vuitton stores open in Toyko and Osaka, Japan.

In 1983, Louis Vuitton teams up with the America's Cup sailing race to form the Louis Vuitton Cup for Sailing. The Louis Vuitton Cup is an elimination round in which the winner sails against the America's Cup winner from the previous year for the America's Cup.

In 1984, the first store in South Korea opens in Seoul.

In 1985, the Epi Leather line is introduced.

In 1987, Louis Vuitton and Moet-Hennessey merge to form LVMH. The group continues to own the Louis Vuitton company and brand. See LVMH group for details.

In 1988, the Louis Vuitton Classic Annual Automobile Race is launched in Paris, France.

In 1992, a Louis Vuitton store opens in Beijing, China.

In 1993, LVMH launches the Taiga line, a luggage and briefcase black leather line for men.

In 1996, the centennial of the Monogram Canvas occurs and LVMH spotlights various designers.

In 1997, LVMH launches a line of pens.

In 1998, LVMH adds Marc Jacobs, who designs the Monogram Vernis line, and LVMH launches a line of travel guides to major cities around the world.

In 2001, LVMH creates the Graffiti line and a Louis Vuitton charm bracelet is released.

In 2002, LVMH releases a Louis Vuitton line of watches.

In 2003, Takashi Murakami & Marc Jacobs launch the Cherry Blossom Limited Edition, Multicolor and Eye Love lines.

History of Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton Malletier à Paris, more commonly known simply as Louis Vuitton, is a luxury French fashion and leather goods brand and company headquartered in Paris, France.

The company is named after its founder Louis Vuitton (August 4, 1821-February 27, 1892), who designed and manufactured luggage during the second half of the nineteenth century. Vuitton was born in Jura, France (now part of the commune of Lavans-sur-Valouse), but moved to Paris in 1835. Two years later, at the age of 16, he apprenticed for the luggage manufacturer Monsieur Marechal. In 1854 he founded the company, which is now owned by LVMH, a French holding company helmed by Bernard Arnault.

One hundred and fifty years after its eponymous founder began creating and selling trunks in Paris, Louis Vuitton's signature leather goods are considered a status symbol around the globe and are highly regarded in the fashion world. The company's iconic Monogram Canvas design can be considered the first designer label in contemporary history; the design was created in 1896 by Vuitton's son Georges and was intended to prevent counterfeiting. Ironically, Louis Vuitton has become the most counterfeited brand in fashion history, with just over 1% of all items branded with the Vuitton logo not counterfeit.

The Louis Vuitton company has carefully cultivated a celebrity following and has used famous models and actresses in its marketing campaigns, most recently Uma Thurman and Scarlett Johansson. Other models and actresses who have lent their name to the Louis Vuitton line include Jennifer Lopez, Chloe Sevigny, Christina Ricci, Gisele Bundchen, Kate Moss, and Naomi Campbell. Hayden Christensen has also appeared as model for the company's luggage and prêt-à-porter lines. The company commonly uses print ads in magazines and billboards in cosmopolitan cities.

Vuitton bags and purses have a considerable list of celebrity adherents who are frequently seen in tabloid and magazine photographs carrying the brand. Madonna, Lindsay Lohan, Kimora Lee Simmons, Jessica Simpson, Ashley Tisdale, Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie, Angelina Jolie, Anna Kournikova, Pamela Anderson, Katharine McPhee, Carmen Electra, and Victoria Beckham are included in this list.

The Vuitton collection has also created a cult-like following among consumers. Owners of the bags and accessories often refer to the products as their “Louis.” This cult following by both celebrities and wealthy consumers has elevated the Vuitton brand to the foremost position in accessory design alongside houses such as Gucci, Prada, Fendi, and Hermès.