Louis Vuitton: the world’s most valuable luxury brand

January 22, 2022

Louis Vuitton, is a French fashion house and luxury goods company founded in 1854.  The company operates in 50 countries with more than 460 stores worldwide.

Louis Vuitton has 114 retail locations in the United States and 10 retail locations in Canada

Louis Vuitton was born on August 4, 1821, to Coronne Gaillard and Xavier Vuitton. His mother died when he was 10 years old and his father remarried soon afterward. His stepmother was overly strict, and at the age of 13, a very determined Louis Vuitton left his home in Anchay, Franche-Cmté, and began his 292-mile walk to Paris that would take him two years.

Finally, in 1837, 16-year-old Louis Vuitton arrived in Paris where he took a job as an apprentice for Monsieur Maréchal. He quickly became a respected craftsman, creating custom-designed boxes and trunks according to clients’ exact specifications. As these were the days of horse-drawn carriages, boats and trains, baggage had to be extremely durable to survive the rough handling to which they would be subjected. Louis worked for Monsieur Maréchal for 17 years before opening his own workshop at 4 Rue Neuve-des-Capucines near the Place Vendome.

 In 1853 Vuitton was appointed the personal box-maker and packer of the Empress of France, Eugenie de Montijo – the wife of Napoleon Bonaparte.

Ad for Louis Vuitton luggage, 1898

The Louis Vuitton label was founded by Vuitton in 1854 on Rue Neuve des Capucines in Paris, France. He married 17-year-old Clemence-Emilie Parriaux that same year. In 1858, Vuitton introduced his flat-topped, lightweight and airtight Trianon canvas trunks.

In1859, Vuitton opened his atelier in Asnières, northeast of the center of Paris. His staff of 20 employees continued to grow to 100 in 1900, and by 1914 there were 225 employees working in the atelier.

Although the original atelier has been expanded, it remains the place where Vuitton products are crafted today by the company’s 170 craftsmen.

In 1886, Georges Vuitton introduced luggage locks that were burglar-proof.

In 1889 Vuitton won a gold medal and the grand prize
at the Exposition Universelle in Paris.

Vuitton continued to work until his death at the age of 72
on February 27, 1892. He left control of the company
to his son, Georges Vuitton.

In 1896, to distinguish Louis Vuitton products, Georges created the famous LV monogram canvas – featuring diamonds, circles and flowers.

Today, Louis Vuitton products include luxury trunks and leather goods, high-fashion shoes, watches, jewelry, accessories, sunglasses and books.

Louis Vuitton Handbags–Iconic French Designs

And, so, the story of Louis Vuitton’s success goes on and on. In 2012 Louis Vuitton was named the world’s most valuable luxury brand for the seventh year in a row in a study conducted by Millward Brown Optimor. 

Gloria Sauvé
Communications and Marketing

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