The Rise to Sensation—Louis Vuitton Handbags History
The young Louis Vuitton seemed destined for success. At the age of the 14 he left his small village home in Jura, France to travel on foot the 400km to Paris to make his living and seek success. He was humble but incredibly ambitious, and strove to make his mark on the world. Little did he know his name would become one of the most recognizable brands in all the world, over a hundred years after his death.
Monsieur Louis Vuitton
Once in Paris Vuitton apprenticed as a layetier and quickly gained the prestigious role of luggage maker to the Empress Eugenie de Montijo, wife of the last Emperor Napoleon 3 of France. His luggage designs quickly became known throughout the empire. By the time he opened up shop to the public he was a raging success. He continued to revolutionize the way luggage was designed as well as the craftsmanship that went into the look of the trunks as well. He was a true artist as well as a hardworking, practical engineer. To differentiate his creations from that of his competition he began to create trunks with the Damier checked canvas, and in 1888 came up with the splendid design for the Louis Vuitton Monogram.
Georges Vuitton & Louis Vuitton Handbags
In the 1930's Georges Vuitton, son of Louis and heir to the company oversaw the design of the very first Louis Vuitton handbags—the Noe, the Speedy and the Keepall. All designed as travel bags, a response to the new faster train travel that allowed for day trips and shorter journeys, which of course necessitated smaller luggage. The tradition of ingenuity and being at the forefront continued and remains the calling card of the Louis Vuitton house to this day.