Louis Vuitton

Introduction 

Louis Vuitton (Louis Vuitton), he is history's most prominent French designers of leather goods, in 1854 in Paris, opened his own name the first suitcase shop. A century later, Louis Vuitton luggage and leather goods to become one of the best areas of the brand, and become a symbol of high society. Today, the Louis Vuitton brand has not only limited to the design and sale of high-end leather goods and luggage, but to become involved in fashion, accessories, shoes, bags, jewelry, watches, media, wine and other areas of the giant trend indicators. LV suitcase from the early T stage in Paris a year now constantly changing LV fashion show, LV (Louis Vuitton) is able to stand in the international fashion industry has been the top position, proud home of luxury brands out, in its own unique brand DNA. 

History 

1821 – Louis Vuitton, founder of the famous fashion house was born in the eastern French province of Franche-Comte. 

1837 – 16-year-old Louis packed his bags and left for the nobility of Paris. 

1852 – Napoleon III ascended to the throne, and Louis Vuitton was selected as the Queen’s box-maker and packer. 

1853 – Louis has won the trust of the black-lashed Nepalese Queen. 

1854 – Louis opened his first leather goods stores in Paris. 

1885 – He expanded his store overseas, from Paris to London. 

1890 – The invention of the brand’s exclusive lock. 

1896 – Louis Vuitton’s son George took the shorthand of his father’s name, L and V, and intertwined it with a flower pattern design creating the renowned monogram canvas still well known today. 

1900 -George diversified their classic trunk and introduced hanging clothes, luggages, shoes, hat boxes. 

1914 – The world’s largest leather goods store opened in Champs Elysees, Paris. The store became the flagship of the brand, expanding a worldwide sales network. 

1932 – LV’s bucket bag made its formal debut. 

1984 – More stores opened in Paris and New York. 

1987 – The acquisition of VeuveClicquot Group, the Group owns VeuveClicquot champagne and Givenchy perfume. In September of the same year, LV and Hennessy merged to become the world’s largest boutique group LVMH (LouisVuittonMoetHennessy). 

1996 – To celebrate the centennial of the Monogram series, LV invited seven designers to design a limited edition. 

1998 – Clothing master Marc Jacobs was invited to join the team; he created the much publicized Vernis Line. 

2003 – The collaboration of Louis Vuitton and Japanese artist Takashi Murakami brought a colorful expression to its collection. 

The Louis Vuitton Company 

Founded in 1854, the Louis Vuitton Company was soon to become one of the world’s most famous makers of luxury goods. Creator of high quality travel trunks and leather accessories, the company was above all known for its designer luggage pattern, a beige monogram, LV, on a chestnut background. After his father’s death in 1892, George Vuitton took over the company, taking it to new heights in developing what was recognized as the first "designer label" on a product. 

When Marc Jacobs in 1998 assumed the role as Artistic Director, Louis Vuitton entered the world of high fashion. Commissioning artists such as Stephen Sprouse and Takashi Murakami, Louis Vuitton was able to lend their cutting-edge design ideas for their signature products, creating must-have status symbols. Today Louis Vuitton is a world leader in luxury customer goods, including travel books, perfumes, distilled spirits and designer shoes and clothing. 

Like several others luxury and prestige brands launched in the 19th and early 20th centuries, Louis Vuitton started out with providing luxury products exclusively for the very wealthy people of society. Even though times have changed and the market for this kind of products has increased enormously Louis Vuitton still targets its products at consumers on the top-end of the wealth spectrum. These are price insensitive consumers allowing the company to charge thousands of dollars for one item. 

According to Uche Okonkwo, creativity exclusivity, craftsmanship, precision, high quality, innovation and premium pricing are product attributes that not only give the consumer the satisfaction of owning expensive items but the extra-added psychological benefits like prestige and a sense of high status that reminds them and others that they belong to an exclusive group of a selected few, who can afford pricy items. Furthermore, Okonkwo means that this kind of luxury brands need to have strategies that address the difficult paradox of the combination of exclusivity and availability and to appeal to many while appearing to be right for only a special few. 

This statement rather well describes the Louis Vuitton Company’s desired positioning, in giving emphasis to the contrast between tradition and modernity in the company philosophy. Because of its long and proud history of high qualitative craftsmanship, tradition in combination with modernity and proven innovation, excellence and creativity, comprises an important part of the brand identity of the company. The statements “For Louis Vuitton, the art of travel is the art of fine living” shows that the company brand identity also has a very strong connection to its heritage even though it was a long time since the Louis Vuitton brand comprised exclusively of travel goods. Yet another proof of that can be found at the Louis Vuitton official website where you can get tips about how to pack your luggage or visit a virtual travel museum.

Brand strategy

LVMH Moët Hennessy CEO Bernard Arnault recently told the Financial Times, “What interests me is that in 15 years’ time, Louis Vuitton is still the leading luxury brand.” Louis Vuitton has been reinforcing its position within the high-end segment of the luxury market and balancing its massive global presence with the objective of leveraging luxury and exclusivity. To prevent the risk of overexposure, the brand is concentrating on limiting its own visibility. The monogrammed product that has helped Louis Vuitton to attain its strong status with global consumers is becoming synonymous with accessible luxury. The 2013 LVMH “Les Journées Particulières” event allowed the Louis Vuitton brand to highlight its craftsmanship. The brand has also been focusing on satisfying consumers’ desire for customization and has succeeded in expanding its position in the fast-growing timepieces market and jewelry. It plans to launch its exclusive LV fragrance from Master Perfumer Jacques Cavallier-Belletrud next year, as well as new stores, with openings limited to key countries. Additionally, Louis Vuitton has opened two new iconic stores. One is dedicated exclusively to luxury jewels and is located in Place Vendôme and the second is its first “Cabinet d’Écriture” on the Place Saint-Germain-des-Prés in Paris, constructing deeper and more substantive engagement and storytelling around the art of writing. The brand recorded outstanding results because of its ability to move into a more high-end segment of the luxury market.