Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton was a French box-maker and packer who founded his eponymous luxury brand over 150 years ago. He was born on August 4, 1821 in Anchay, a small working-class settlement in eastern France. At age 13, he left home for Paris, a 292-mile journey he completed on foot over two years with stops for odd jobs along the way to support himself.
In 1837, upon arriving in Paris, Vuitton became an apprentice at a successful box-making and packing workshop, a highly respected craft at the time. He soon established himself as one of the best in the city.
In 1837, upon arriving in Paris, Vuitton became an apprentice at a successful box-making and packing workshop, a highly respected craft at the time. He soon established himself as one of the best in the city.
- In 1852, Napoleon's wife hired Vuitton as her personal box-maker and packer, providing access to elite and royal clientele. This helped the Louis Vuitton brand grow into the world-renowned luxury leather and lifestyle brand it is today.
- In 1854, Vuitton married Clemence-Emilie Parriaux and opened his own box-making and packing workshop in Paris. His exclusive designs and high-quality materials made his workshop very successful and popular, becoming a benchmark for luxury leather goods.
In 1858, he introduced stackable, rectangular-shaped trunks to a market that demanded innovative and convenient trunks for increasingly popular train travel. Demand was so high that he had to expand into a larger workshop outside Paris.
In 1872, Vuitton introduced a beige and red striped canvas trunk that appealed to the new Parisian elite and helped secure the brand's position as a luxury offering.
In 1872, Vuitton introduced a beige and red striped canvas trunk that appealed to the new Parisian elite and helped secure the brand's position as a luxury offering.
Vuitton worked until his death at age 72 on February 27, 1892. He left control of the company to his son, Georges Vuitton.
In 1896, to combat widespread copying of the brand's patterns, Georges created the famous LV monogram canvas featuring diamonds, circles, and flowers, which distinguished the brand's products.
In 1896, to combat widespread copying of the brand's patterns, Georges created the famous LV monogram canvas featuring diamonds, circles, and flowers, which distinguished the brand's products.
In 1997, Marc Jacobs became the house's first creative director and introduced men's and women's ready-to-wear collections. Under Jacobs' direction, the house cultivated a strong celebrity following, with models, actors, and musicians representing the brand.
