About Louis Vuitton

 Louis Vuitton was founded in 1854, making it one of the oldest fashion houses still in existence. Vuitton began as a luxury luggage retailer, introducing the first canvas flat trunk, making it easier to stack luggage with ease. In 1885, the company opened its first store in London on Oxford street. Even at this time, the Louis Vuitton look was being copied, which led to the creation of the "marque K. Vuitton deposee" trademark. In the 1890s the company displayed its wares at the Chicago World's Fair and in 1896 launched its Monogram Canvas with its graphic symbols based on Japanese designs of the Victorian era. In 1901, the Louis Vuitton Company introduced the Steamer Bag, a smaller piece of luggage designed to be kept inside Vuitton luggage trunks. The Louis Vuitton building opened in 1914 on the Champes-Elysees where it became the world's largest travel goods store.

 1930 saw the introduction of the Keepall bag, followed by the No? bag, made for the transport of bottles. In 1959, Louis Vuitton decided to revamp its signature Monogram Canvas, making it more supple allowing it to be used for purses, bags, and wallets. Fashion icon Audrey Hepburn was even seen wearing the bag in the film Charade. By 1977 Louis Vuitton owned two stores with annual sales of $70 million. A year later, stores were opened in Japan, eventually adding stores in Taiwan and South Korea.

 The 1980s saw the creation of LVMH, where Moet et Chandon and Hennessy joined forces with Louis Vuitton to form a luxury goods conglomerate. By 1989, Vuitton had 130 stores worldwide. As the 1990s approached, Yves Carcelle was elected president of Louis Vuitton. A new leather line, Taiga, was launched in 1993 and a literature collection of Voyager Avec was debuted in 1995. In 1996, celebrations were held around the world in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Monogram Canvas. The company debuted its first ready-to-wear line in 1999 along with a line of scrapbooks and the Monogram Vernis line.

 At the turn of the century, Stephen Sprouse and Marc Jacobs designed a limited-edition line of Vuitton bags featuring graffiti written across the logo. Jacobs also created the charm bracelet, the first ever piece of jewelry from LV, within the same year. In 2002, the Tambour watch collection debuted. A year later the new Monogram Multicolore canvas handbags and accessories burst on the scene, designed by Marc Jacobs. This collection featured 33 different colors as well as a limited edition Cherry Blossom pattern. 2004 saw the 150th anniversary of the Louis Vuitton brand.

 For over 150 years, Louis Vuitton has manufactured handmade luggage. The company continues to make handbags, leather goods, clothing and jewelry, most utilizing the signature brown Damier and Monogram Canvas materials. The company only markets its goods through its own stores and high-end department stores to control quality and pricing. Louis Vuitton is internationally known for its name recognition in the fashion world, and as a result, is one of the most counterfeited luxury brands.