| Louis Vuitton (designer) | |
|---|---|
Louis Vuitton, founder of the House of Vuitton |
|
| Born | 4 August 1821 Jura, France |
| Died | 27 February 1892 |
| Nationality | French |
| Occupation | Malletier |
| Known for | founding of Louis Vuitton brand |
Louis Vuitton (4 August 1821 – 27 February 1892),[1] was the founder of the world-famous Louis Vuitton brand of leather goods now owned by LVMH. He had established a reputation in his fields of making luggage, thus was appointed as trunk-maker to Empress Eugénie de Montijo, wife of Napoleon III. Through his experience with French royalty, he developed advanced knowledge of what made a good travelling case. It was then that he began to design his own luggage, setting the foundations for LV Co.[2]
Vuitton was born in the department of Jura, France. In 1835, he moved to Paris. The trip from his hometown to Paris was over 400 kilometres (250 mi), and he travelled the distance by foot. On his way there, he picked up a series of odd jobs to pay for his journey. There, he became an apprentice Layetier to prominent households.[2] Because of his well established reputation in his fields, Napoleon III of France appointed Vuitton as Layetier to his wife, Empress Eugénie de Montijo. Through his experience with French royalty, he developed advanced knowledge of what made a good travelling case. It was then that he began to design his own luggage, setting the foundations for LV Co.[2]
The Louis Vuitton label was founded by Vuitton in 1854 on Rue Neuve des Capucines in Paris.[1] In 1858, Vuitton introduced his flat-bottom trunks with trianon canvas, making them lightweight and airtight.[1] Before the introduction of Vuitton's trunks, rounded-top trunks were used, generally to promote water run off, and thus could not be stacked. It was Vuitton's grey Trianon canvas flat trunk that allowed the ability to stack with ease for voyages. Becoming successful and prestigious, many other luggagemakers began to imitate LV's style and design.[2]
In 1867, the company participated in the universal exhibition in Paris.[1] To protect against the duplication of his look, he changed the Trianon design to a beige and brown stripes design in 1876.[2] By 1885, the company opened its first store in London, England on Oxford Street.[1] Soon thereafter, due to the continuing imitation of his look, in 1888, the Damier Canvas pattern was created by Louis Vuitton, bearing a logo that reads "marque L. Vuitton déposée", which translates into "L. Vuitton registered trademark". In 1892, Louis Vuitton died, and the company's management passed to his son, Georges.[1][2]