Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton Milestones

1821 Birth of Louis Vuitton, in Anchay, Jura, France.

1835 Joins Paris on foot (over 249miles / 400km).

1837 Begins as apprentice Layetier-Malletier.

1852 Named personal layetier to Empress Eugénie (Napoléon III’s wife).

1854 Founds the House of Louis Vuitton and opens his first store, rue Neuve des Capucines in Paris.

1858 Introduces the flat-bottom Louis Vuitton’s iconic trunk.

1859 Moves his workshop to its current location in Asnières sur Seine.

1870 Louis Vuitton’s son, Georges joins the company.

1885 First store opening in London on Oxford Street.

1888 Creation of the damier canvas pattern to protect against counterfeiting.

1892 Louis Vuitton passes away. Georges Vuitton takes over.

1896 Creation of the Monogram canvas with the Louis Vuitton monogram.

1901 Creation of the steamer bag.

1914 Opening of the flagship boutique on the Champs Elysées, Paris.

1932 Launch of the speedy bag.

1936 Georges Vuitton dies. His son, Gaston-Louis Vuitton, takes over.

1977 Odile Vuitton, daughter of Louis-Vuitton transforms Louis Vuitton in a multinational firm.

1987 Louis Vuitton SA merges with Moët Hennessy to form LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA).

1989 Bernard Arnault wins his PBO over the group.

1998 Marc Jacobs comes in as Fashion Artistic Director.

1999 Launch of the Louis Vuitton city guides.

2002 Enters the watch market with the Tambour chronograph.

2008 Kanye West designs a line of footwear.

2009 First high jewelry collection designed by Lorenz Baumer.