Learn more about the history of Louis Vuitton, one of the most luxurious, classic and acclaimed brands by fashion lovers around the world.
Louis Vuitton is currently one of the most renowned luxury brands in the world. Known mainly for its creations of travel bags and bags, the brand goes far beyond that, also making clothes, shoes, accessories and home items.
The name of the brand, however, originates from its own creator, Louis Vuitton, born in 1821, from a family of carpenters and millers, in a small village located in France, in the Jura region.
However, have you ever stopped to think about how the brand managed to consolidate this space in the luxury market? Well, if you’re curious to know, the answer lies in a long story, which we’ll explain to you beforehand.
History and origin of the Louis Vuitton brand
At the age of 16, in 1837, Louis Vuitton, like his ancestors, decided that he would work in the manufacture of trunks. Therefore, after making his decision, he left the small village where he lived, in Jura, for Paris, and began his period of apprenticeship as Monsieur Maréchal.
At the time, travelers bought trunks from artisans to store their belongings in horse-drawn carriages. Louis quickly became one of the artisans most sought after and valued by these buyers, in Monsieur Maréchal’s Parisian atelier. Until, after 17 years, he opened his own studio, at 4 Rue Neuve-des-Capucines, close to Place Vendome.
As its success grew, the brand found itself in need of expanding its business, eventually leading to other ateliers being opened, such as the one in Asnieres, in 1859. With the advancement of the brand, there was also a famous increase in number of employees, the studio that began its activities with 20 employees, later in 1914, already had a total of 225 artisans.
The atelier was expanded over the decades, including the addition of the Vuitton family residence, but remains the place where products are manufactured to this day. In the meantime, the Vuitton home became part of a private museum.
Luggage revolution: The Tumbler Zipper
Due to complaints from travelers about the constant theft of their luggage, in 1886, Louis Vuitton and his son Georges Vuitton revolutionized the closure of suitcases and luggage with a unique system of locks formed by two spring-loaded buckles, patented as the Tumbler Clasp.
The revolutionary system is very effective and is therefore used to this day.
Louis Vuitton with the jewelry
“For brilliant moments”, this is how Louis Vuitton promotes its jewelry. Made according to its famous monogram, the flower and the star, the brand’s dazzling jewels have given rise to a new diamond that is cut from these two shapes.
The particularity in choosing the most beautiful and rare precious stones makes the brands’ collections truly spectacular.
In Louis Vuitton’s high jewelry atelier, each piece of jewelry is carefully crafted by a team of artisans and gemologists, who apply the most traditional techniques. Like, for example, the Dentelle necklace, which clearly imitates clusters of stars and flowers. The diamonds are calculatedly positioned to reflect the brand’s logo.
How do I know if my Louis Vuitton product is original?
Even previously, the brand already suffered from counterfeits, which is why it invested in design and meticulous details for extreme identification. Firstly, it is important to worry about four items: the material, the fasteners and metals, the stitching and the authenticity code.
The material of Louis Vuitton products is always of extreme quality. The leather is genuine, natural, and ages in a specific way. On the zippers, the logo is engraved. In the case of the print, it must be aligned and symmetrical.
After checking all these factors, you must check the authenticity code inside the bag. This code tends to be engraved on the labels, leather or lining. If your product has all these specifications, it is definitely original.
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Image sources: Madame, Luxury Therapy, World Fashion.
Sources: Unique Label, Unique Label 2, Madame, Luxury Therapy.
