Heritage
Family
Heritage
Louis Vuitton
A Legacy in Motion
Louis Vuitton is born in 1821 in Anchay, a small village nestled in the Jura mountains. His family, millers since the 17th century, lives and works deep in the forest, grinding grain and shaping timber by watermill. It is here, among the rhythm of wood and water, that Louis develops an early reverence for craftsmanship.
At age 14, he sets off for Paris, traveling on foot across France. Over two years, he works as day laborer, stable boy and lumberjack, sharpening his resilience and resourcefulness.
He arrives in Paris in 1837, where he begins an apprenticeship with Romain Maréchal, a master trunk-maker and packer. For seventeen years, Louis learns to craft with precision and understand the evolving needs of elite travelers, laying the foundational skills for what will become a legendary empire.
An Artisan with the Soul of an Entrepreneur
The newly married Louis opens his first store in 1854 at 4 Rue Neuve-des-Capucines, steps away from Place Vendôme. His earliest trunks reflect the typical features of the time, with rounded lids and iron reinforcements. Before long, he reimagines their structure and introduces a flat-topped model in Trianon grey canvas — lighter, stronger, stackable, and perfectly suited to a world on the move
The Heart of the House
Outgrowing his workshop in Paris, Louis purchases land in Asnières-sur-Seine in 1859 to build an atelier — a location chosen for its proximity to both Paris’s vibrant social life and key production routes. By the 1870s, the Vuitton family makes Asnières their home, a place that becomes the heart of the Louis Vuitton legacy, where savoir-faire, innovation, and artistry are passed down through generations.
Georges Vuitton
From a Man’s Journey to a Global Maison
In 1857 Louis had welcomed his only son, Georges, who becomes an apprentice at the Ateliers d'Asnières at the age of 16. By 1880, he takes over the management of the store on Rue Scribe in Paris, marking a new start for the House. Together, they expand the Asnières ateliers, adding a section dedicated to leather goods. Raised in the world of trunks and travel, Georges marks the start of a new chapter for the House, bringing bold ideas and boundless energy. In 1888, he introduces the Damier canvas, featuring, for the first time, the Vuitton name on the outside of a trunk. A year later, he patents a groundbreaking, unpickable, multi-groove lock system to protect his clients’ most precious belongings.
As the canvas continues to be copied, in 1895 Georges begins the search for a new motif to become a signature emblem for the House. Inspired by Art Nouveau, Japonism, and Gothic heraldic art, Georges creates the now-iconic Monogram canvas — combining geometrical floral motifs with the initials “LV” — a tribute to his father who passed away in 1892.
In 1885, Georges opens Louis Vuitton's first international store in London, quickly expanding to New York, Philadelphia, Nice, and Lille, bringing the Vuitton name to a growing world of travelers. In 1914, recognizing the need for a bigger space in Paris, Georges reimagines the Louis Vuitton's store by partnering with an architect to rethink the design, transforming the store into an experience. He opens a new location, the “Vuitton Building” on the iconic Avenue des Champs-Élysées.
Gaston-Louis Vuitton
Exploring New Territories
Born in Asnières in 1883, Gaston-Louis grows up surrounded by trunks, tools, and tales of far-off destinations. A collector, bibliophile, and creative thinker, he champions lightweight, flexible materials and reimagines the art of travel for a new generation — marking the beginning of the next wave of expansions.
As an artist himself, Gaston-Louis brings Louis Vuitton into the creative spotlight of the 1920s, culminating in the House’s participation at the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs in Paris.
This same spirit of innovation and exploration fuels his ventures beyond craftsmanship. From the 1910 Star Clock debut in horology, to equipping the Motobloc automobile for the New York-Paris race, to the creation of Heures d’Absence in 1927 — the House’s first perfume — Gaston-Louis expands the Louis Vuitton universe across various métiers, into the world we know today.
Across generations, Louis Vuitton’s journey evolves from an artisan’s dream to a global emblem of heritage, innovation, and timeless elegance. Each chapter, rooted in craftsmanship, continues to shape the House today.
Epic
Journey
Rue Neuve-des-Capucines
At the age of 33, Louis opens his first store on Rue Neuve-des-Capucines, near Place Vendôme. His high standards and expertise in woodworking inspires him to craft his own trunks in his workshop on Rue du Rocher. That same year, he marries Clémence-Émilie Parriaux.
The Trianon Grey Canvas
Louis covers his flat-topped trunk in oil-painted hemp canvas — lighter than leather, practical, and waterproof. Initially called “gris ordinaire” (ordinary grey), the shade became known as Trianon Grey, echoing the tones of the Tuileries and other imperial residences.
From Rounded to Flat Trunks
Around 1860, Louis revolutionizes travel by replacing the traditional rounded lid with a flat top, making trunks easier to stack. Reinforced and crafted from lightweight poplar wood, the new “slatted” trunk combines durability with practicality, marking a turning point in the Art of Travel.
Ateliers in Asnières-sur-Seine
Outgrowing his workshop in Paris, Louis and his wife buy a 1,080m² plot in Asnières-sur-Seine, reflecting his pragmatic mindset. The town directly connects to Paris via the new railway line, while its proximity to the Seine allows for the transport of poplar wood, used to build the trunk frames.
Paris Universal Exhibition
Louis applies to take part in the 1867 Paris Universal Exhibition. Registered as a "packer and manufacturer of travel trunks," he presents his patented trunks for the first time in such a prestigious setting, attracting a high-profile cosmopolitan clientele. He is awarded a bronze medal for his creations.
The Striped Canvas
Due to the imitations of the Trianon grey canvas, Louis Vuitton introduces a striped canvas in red and beige. Four years later, Louis changes to beige tones with alternating light and dark stripes. A patent filed in 1877 ensures the protection of these patterns and designs.
Leather Goods at the Asnières Workshops
Continuing their excellence in craftsmanship, Louis and his son Georges — recently appointed director of the Rue Scribe store — expand the workshops in 1880 by adding a wing dedicated to leather goods.
The First Store Abroad
The House looks to Great Britain, known for its travel goods and vibrant market. Drawing on his English education on Jersey Island, Georges Vuitton opens his first London store in 1885 on Oxford Street. It was later relocated to New Bond Street in 1900 — an address still in use today.
The Damier Canvas
Despite the patent, the striped canvas is still imitated. Louis and his son Georges create a new version: the Damier canvas. Georges registers the design, including, for the first time, the label “Marque L. Vuitton Déposée” in one of the small brown squares on a beige background.
A Secured Trunk
To secure his clients' belongings, Georges Vuitton files a patent for a multi-tumbler lock — renowned for being unpickable and tamper-proof. Still in use today, this system allows clients to unlock all their luggage with a single key.
The Monogram Canvas
When the Damier canvas is copied, Georges designs a new pattern, featuring the initials L.V. in tribute to his father. Originally called L.V. canvas, it was renamed the Monogram canvas from 1986 onwards, retaining the Damier color palette including four symbols: three floral motifs—part botanical, part geometric—and the initials of Louis Vuitton.
Expansion into the United States
During his trip to the United States in 1893, George aspires to expand the House overseas. By 1898, Louis Vuitton trunks are displayed and sold by John Wanamer in New York and Philadelphia, followed by other overseas locations.
The Steamer
Created in the early 1900s, the Steamer Bag—intended for laundry—is the first soft, foldable bag designed to fit in the lower compartment of the Wardrobe Trunk during transatlantic crossings. Over the decades, it evolves alongside modes of transportation and becomes one of the House’s most iconic travel bags.
Vuittonite Canvas
As early as 1900, the House’s sales registers mention Pegamoid, a coated canvas that made fabrics durable, waterproof, and washable. Ideal for automobile luggage, it was named “Vuittonite” in 1903. Both lightweight and resistant, it could be colored to harmonize with any car body.
Avenue des Champs-Élysées
In 1914, the House opens a store at 70 Avenue des Champs-Élysées. Known as the "Vuitton Building," it is an immediate sucess, thanks to the window displays imagined by Gaston-Louis Vuitton. This location remains the House's Parisian address until 1954. In 1998, Louis Vuitton returns to the iconic avenue.
The First Perfume
The House launches its first fragrance, Heures d'Absence — named after the Vuitton family’s country home and presented in a milestone-shaped case and a bottle that pay tribute to modern travel. In 2020, the name returns for a new feminine scent. Today, the House continues its perfume legacy with timeless creations.
The Keepall
Introduced in the 1930s under the name Tientout, the Keepall is initially crafted in canvas and leather, later in Monogram canvas and other signature materials. It features a rounded silhouette, flexible horizontal structure, and Toron handles — hallmarks of Louis Vuitton elegance.
The Speedy
Created in the 1930s as the Express carry-on bag, later renamed Speedy, Gaston-Louis Vuitton designs it to reflect the era's fascination with speed. In 1959, it is reimagined in Monogram canvas and transformed into a handbag, famously adopted by Audrey Hepburn.
The Noé Bag
When a champagne house requests a bag that is elegant and strong for carrying five bottles, Gaston-Louis Vuitton designs the Noé bag. Later reimagined as a city bag and dressed in Monogram canvas in 1959, it is endlessly reinvented in vibrant colors and various sizes.
The Flexible Canvas
Introduced in 1896, the Monogram canvas is ideal for rigid luggage but unsuitable for flexible pieces. In the late 1950s, to address this issue, Claude-Louis Vuitton develops a new process of coating that improves its flexibility, inspiring the rise of leather goods.
The Sac Plat
First created as a beach bag in 1968, the Sac Plat is perpetually reimagined, offered in a enthralling array of hues, motifs, and sizes. Designed with practicality in mind, the spacious and comfortable model is an effortless everyday essential.
The Dauphine
Inspired by a model designed in 1976, the Dauphine is reinterpreted by Nicolas Ghesquière for the 2019 Cruise Collection. Named after a square in Paris, it bears a clasp with the signature LV circle logo, trademarked by Gaston-Louis Vuitton in 1908.
Opening of the Japan Store
Louis Vuitton makes its official debut in Japan in 1978 with the opening of its first franchise stores in Tokyo and Osaka. By 1981, the House opens its first directly operated store in the renowned Ginza district of Tokyo, on Namiki-dori.
The First Sports Partnership
The paths of Louis Vuitton and the America's Cup, the oldest international sailing competition, first cross in 1983, when the House hosts the elimination trials and crafts a bespoke trunk for the trophy. Today, Louis Vuitton partners with some of the world's greatest sporting events.
The Epi leather
Introduced in 1985, Epi Leather draws from a 1920s grained leather, including a 1926 Maharajah tea-case. Drum-dyed and embossed with the Epi motif, it’s robust, scratch-resistant, and ages beautifully. Known for its vibrant colors and craftsmanship, Epi leather has evolved into a House signature.
The Alma
Originally named the Squire Bag in 1934, this model undergoes several design evolutions, leading to name changes such as Champs-Élysées and later Marceau, before becoming the Alma in 1992. Inspired by Art Deco, its lines are reinterpreted for nearly a century, culminating in the creation of the BB format in 2010.
1997
In 1997, the House appointed Marc Jacobs as Artistic Director of the Women's and Men's collections to expand into ready-to-wear and accessories. For sixteen years, he revitalized the House with creativity, spectacular shows, and collaborations with artists like Stephen Sprouse, Takashi Murakami, and Richard Prince.
Louis Vuitton Library
For over two decades, Louis Vuitton builds a publishing legacy, with nearly one hundred titles across three key travel series — City Guide, Travel Book, and Fashion Eye — while also collaborating with international publishers on books celebrating the House’s creativity.
Emblematic Collaborations
The House begins its first artistic collaborations in 1910, forging a dialogue between luxury and contemporary creation. In 2001, Stephen Sprouse reimagines the Monogram canvas. Since then, Louis Vuitton collaborates with artists such as Takashi Murakami, Richard Prince, Yayoi Kusama, and Jeff Koons.
The First Tambour Watch
Marking its debut into watchmaking, Louis Vuitton introduces the Tambour. With its drum-shaped case, brown dial and yellow hands as tribute to the historical thread used in leatherwork, Tambour blends Swiss precision with timeless House codes. Today, Louis Vuitton continues to redefine watchmaking excellence.
The First Fine Jewelery Collection
Drawing inspiration from Louis Vuitton’s original trunks and iconic signature, the Empreinte Collection (2004), evokes the House’s emblematic spirit of travel. Today, the House continues to push the boundaries of creativity and innovation, crafting exceptional Fine and High Jewelry collections.
The Christopher
Debuted in the Men's FW 2004-05 show, the Christopher backpack combines spacious functionality with casual elegance. Its secure closures and multiple pockets make it the perfect companion for both urban adventures and polished looks.
Louis Vuitton Exhibitions
In 2006, the House launches the Espaces Louis Vuitton, exhibition spaces that expand from Paris to other major cities. This cultural journey continues with Volez, Voguez, Voyagez (2015), LV Dream (2022), and Visionary Journeys (2024) — a traveling exhibition embarking on a global journey.
The Neverfull
True to its name, the Neverfull is endlessly versatile — spacious, lightweight, and remarkably durable. Its timeless design makes it an everyday icon. In 2024, it is reimagined as the fully reversible Neverfull Inside Out.
2011
In 2013, Kim Jones became Artistic Director of Louis Vuitton’s Men’s ready-to-wear under Marc Jacobs. Taking over after Jacobs’s departure, he infuses the House’s codes with streetwear contemporary influences, collaborating with the Chapman brothers, Christopher Nemeth and Supreme, among others.
Objets Nomades
Fusing the House's spirit of travel into the world of design and furniture, the Objets Nomades features limited-edition pieces from renowned artists such as the Campana Brothers. Blending creativity and innovation, the collection evolves each year, notably at Milan Design Week and Art Basel Miami.
2012
In 2012, Jacques Cavallier Belletrud embarks on an olfactory journey as Louis Vuitton’s Master Perfumer. Son and grandson of perfumers, he leverages his expertise in Grasse, at his workshop Les Fontaines Parfumées, to create fragrances that showcase craftsmanship and the world’s most exceptional raw materials.
2013
Nicolas Ghesquière, Artistic Director of Women’s Collections, continues to reinterpret feminine elegance with an innovative spirit. His vision reinvents the House’s timeless codes infusing its heritage into silhouettes defined by bold, architectural lines.
The Capucines
The Capucines bag is timeless and versatile, complementing both casual and elegant styles. Its design showcases Louis Vuitton’s expert savoir-faire with its supple, natural leather. In an ode to heritage, the bag is named after Louis Vuitton’s first store at 4 Rue Neuve-des-Capucines.
The Petite Malle
An iconic piece from Nicolas Ghesquière’s first women’s show for Fall-Winter 2014, it draws inspiration from Albert Kahn’s trunks, banker and philanthropist. Designed for modern nomadism and reinterpreted in multiple ways.
Fondation Louis Vuitton
Opened in 2014 and designed by architect Frank Gehry, the Fondation Louis Vuitton is a contemporary art museum located in Paris's Bois de Boulogne. The distinctive venue is home to a permanent collection and major exhibitions featuring artists such as Monet, Basquiat and Rothko.
The Twist
Imbued with a contemporary elegance, the iconic Twist bag reflects the House’s heritage with its signature LV clasp. Reinvented each season with Louis Vuitton’s distinctive flair, the emblematic bag embodies a timeless silhouette for everyday versatility.
The Gaming
Pioneering in the world of video games, Louis Vuitton partnered with Final Fantasy in 2016, featuring the heroine Lightning in an unique campaign with a capsule by Nicolas Ghesquière. In 2019, the House joined Riot Games' League of Legends, designing Qiyana skins and a bespoke trophy trunk.
2018
The renowned American designer joined the House in 2018 and introduced strong streetwear influences to the Men’s collections. Appealing to the younger generations, Virgil Abloh explored Louis Vuitton’s heritage through a contemporary lens, while promoting inclusivity and diversity.
2018
As Watches and Jewelry Artistic Director until 2025, Francesca Amfitheatrof revisited ancestral savoir-faire with a contemporary approach, drawing inspiration from her travels and expertise. Driven by a pioneering spirit, Francesca Amfitheatrof conceived stunning pieces celebrating the iconic codes of Louis Vuitton.
The OntheGo
As its name suggests, the OnTheGo is made for life on the move, offering plenty of space for a modern woman’s essentials. Introduced in 2019, it is designed as a structured tote that blends the elegance of the classic Monogram with a modern silhouette.
Soft Trunk
For his Spring-Summer 2019 debut at Louis Vuitton, Virgil Abloh reimagines the iconic trunk as a soft, versatile bag — a contemporary essential worn over the shoulder or carried as a clutch.
The First Louis Vuitton Restaurant
In 2020, the House opens its first restaurant at Maison Osaka Midosuji, in collaboration with chef Yosuke Suga. Since then, Louis Vuitton expands its culinary universe to Saint-Tropez, Bangkok, New York, and Milan, blending fashion and fine dining around the world.
The Coussin
Debuting in the Spring-Summer 2021 collection, the Coussin bag embodies softness, volume, and flexibility. Its three zippered compartments offer a modern, functional interior for everyday elegance.
The Side Trunk
Drawing inspiration from the Maison's trunkmaking heritage, the Side trunk is first revealed at the Cruise 2023 show, Nicolas Ghesquière’s Side Trunk reinterprets the Petite Malle — introduced in 2014 — with a fresh, contemporary twist.
2023
Musician, filmmaker, and philanthropist, Pharrell Williams brings his innovative vision to Louis Vuitton as Men’s Creative Director. Pushing the boundaries of traditional style, he imbues the Men’s collections with a contemporary flair accentuating the House’s pioneering spirit and emblematic savoir-faire.
2025
In 2025, Louis Vuitton embarks on a new journey with the launch of La Beauté Louis Vuitton. This exciting venture expands the House's vision, rooted in the spirit of travel and creative excellence, infused by Dame Pat McGrath, DBE, as Cosmetics Creative Direct.
The First Beauty Collection
True to its heritage and spirit of innovation, the House unveils creations and accessories conceived as precious objects in their own right. Each refillable lipstick, lip balm, and eyeshadow features unique formulas in a spectrum of shades that celebrate self-expression, meticulously crafted by Dame Pat McGrath.
Timeless
Malletier
The Domed Trunk
Louis Vuitton revolutionizes trunk-making with a practical, waterproof, and odorless design. With its curved structure, it is able to shed rain water, keeping moisture from collecting on its surface. Moving away from leather, he introduces the Trianon Grey canvas secured with an adhesive, enhancing durability.
The Flat Trunk
Louis introduces a flat-topped design, reinforced with iron bands and beechwood slats while remaining lightweight by using poplar wood. Stackable, durable, and resistant to shocks and water, this innovation transforms travel. To further protect his design, he patents the distinctive trunk.
The Wardrobe Trunk
Introduced in 1875, the wardrobe trunk redefines travel storage. Designed to stand upright in a voyager’s cabin, it opens like a closet. Eliminating the need to pack and unpack, it becomes the ultimate companion for transatlantic journeys.
The Bed Trunk
Created in the mid-1880s, the bed trunk exemplifies the House’s spirit of innovation. Patented by Georges Vuitton in 1885, this ingenious creation gains widespread acclaim at universal and international exhibitions, becoming a favored companion for travelers, explorers, and adventurers alike.
The Flower Trunk
Around 1910, the House sends small bouquets to its loyal clients, delivered in a Monogram canvas planter trunk with a water-resistant zinc liner. Once the flowers fade, the elegant trunk can be repurposed — perhaps as a jewelry box or a treasured keepsake.
The Shoe Trunk
Highlighted in 1925 at the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts, the shoe trunk secretary — originally designed with thirty soft-lined compartments — is a refined travel trunk crafted to store shoes, boots, and accessories in style.
The Toiletry Case
In 1916, opera singer Marthe Chenal orders a pigskin leather case with a drop-front design. The model is officially registered under her name in 1925, and that same year, a new version is presented at the International Exhibition of Decorative Arts.
The Stokowski Secretary Desk
Created for Polish-born British conductor Leopold Stokowski, the Secretary Desk is tailored to his travel work habits. It features shelves, drawers, and a space for a typewriter, extending to reveal a fold-out table. Gaston-Louis Vuitton names the model after his client, calling it the 'Stokowski Bureau Secretary.'
The Trophy Trunk
In 1988, Louis Vuitton designs its first Trophy Trunk in epi blue leather for the America's Cup and reinforces its unwavering commitment in 1992 with a Trophy Trunk in red epi leather for the Louis Vuitton Cup. Since then, it continues to shape victory in the world’s most prestigious sporting competitions, embodying its tagline "Victory travels in Louis Vuitton".
The 1000 Cigars Trunk
Created in 1997, the 1000 Cigars Trunk is an exceptional piece. Its varnished cedar interior showcases a mastery of wood selection to perfectly preserve cigars.
The 8 Watch Case
Inspired by the Coffret Trésor introduced around 2008 — itself a descendant of the 1950s Boîte à Tout — the 8 Watch Case is part of the House’s wide selection of hard-sided watch trunks, alongside creations such as the 1 Watch Case, the Boîte Main Montre, and the Malle Horlogère.
The Malle Coiffeuse
Designed to elevate beauty rituals, the Malle Coiffeuse (Vanity Trunk) is crafted to accompany clients in their daily skincare routine. It opens in three sections, revealing meticulously arranged compartments, trays, drawers, a folding stool, and a nice jewelry case — blending elegance with practicality.
The Sneaker Trunk
Blending timeless tradition with modern design, the Sneaker Trunk is a must-have for collectors. It opens to reveal fourteen transparent allure drawers — eight for high-tops, six for low-tops — along with two built-in mirrors.
Reedition of The Bed Trunk
First patented in 1885, the iconic Bed Trunk returns in 2024 with three new editions. From the timeless Monogram canvas to bold reinterpretations by Nicolas Ghesquière and Pharrell Williams, each piece blends heritage with creativity and visionary design.
Olympic Trunks
As a Premium Partner of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024, the House creates bespoke trunks for the medals and torches — extending a legacy of over 35 years crafting iconic trophy trunks that blend innovation, savoir-faire, and sporting excellence.