2009 Fashion Collection of Louis Vuitton - 2009 New Fashion

Louis Vuitton: Fashion Designer

Louis Vuitton is one of the oldest names in the business. In 1854, Louis Vuitton opened his first store in Paris, hawking finely made trunks, hat boxes, and other luxury luggage for the well-traveled set. By 1888, he had his signature brown and tan checked pattern, and by 1896, the now iconic monogram that peppers its supple leather goods, including some instantly collective women’s bags—the Speedy, the Steamer, the Pochette—appeared. Amazingly, the company didn’t tap into the ready-to-wear business until 1997 when New York designer Marc Jacobs joined, immediately adding an incredibly lucrative clothing business while bringing Vuitton up-to-date by collaborating with such artists as Stephen Sprouse (who irreverently graffitied bags) and later Takashi Murakami (who added a bubble-gum anime humor to the line). Today, the label encompasses ready-to-wear, watches, jewelry, beauty, home, and, of course, that want-worthy luggage.