Louis Vuitton: Master of Luggage and the Monogram Logo

See how Louis Vuitton paved the way for luxury leather goods, accessories, ready-to-wear—and icons.

Born on this day in 1821 in Anchay, France, Louis Vuitton established his now-famous label through a strong focus on craftsmanship and design know-how. Born into a middle-class family of carpenters, farmers, and millers, Vuitton developed a strong entrepreneurial sense from an early age. At age 13, Vuitton left Paris to escape the mundaneness of rural life. Traveling on foot, the journey from the mountainous countryside to the industrial city took nearly two years.

In 1837, near the designer's 16th birthday, Vuitton began an apprenticeship with boxmaker and miller Monsieur Marechal. Under Marechal's tutelage, Vuitton learned the art of making exquisite boxes, especially for the upper classes, who made up the majority of Marechal's clientele. Soon after, Vuitton was hired as the personal box and luggage maker of Empress Eugenie, which allowed the designer to hone his skills and also gain the patronage of more elite clients.

In 1854, the designer met Clemence-Emilie Parriaux, whom he would marry later that year. It was also during this time that Vuitton established his first workshop in Paris, specializing in the production of luxury trunks and boxes. Initially making his items from leather, the designer later switched to coated canvas due to the material’s water and stain resistance. Vuitton’s trunks also stood out from the usual Parisian dome-shaped luggage due to his focus on a rectangular shape that allowed the trunks to be easily stacked and transported during travel.

With the overwhelming success of Vuitton's rectangular luggage, the designer opened a factory in Asnières, France, where he began filling orders for both Parisian celebrities and international aristocrats. In 1870, the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War finally had a major impact on Vuitton's booming brand. By the end of the war, the brand's Asnières factory was in ruins and its Paris location was damaged.

Soon after, Vuitton reopened his shop in Paris, this time at 1 Rue Scribe, near the Jockey Club and other aristocratic hot spots. With a renewed focus on luxury, Vuitton began introducing new features to his brand—new trunk designs and experimenting with shapes and canvases. In 1892, the designer died, leaving behind his burgeoning empire that would grow into one of the most recognizable luxury brands in history.

The now-iconic LV monogram first appeared in 1896 and has become a perennial favorite for those seeking the perfect balance of luxury and functionality. Working with the founder's initials, the "LV" combined with angular shapes would instantly become one of the most sought-after monograms of all time. Louis Vuitton luggage and trunks have been carried by the likes of Paul Poiret, the Rothschild family and Wallis Simpson.

With the rise of jet set culture in the 1960s, Louis Vuitton trunks and luggage became a staple for luxury vacations and travel for the upper echelons of society. Venturing into other aspects of luxury goods, the brand introduced a series of new styles—the Speedy, the Noé, and the Boite Chapeau. Thanks to its flagship brand and signature style, Louis Vuitton became a must-have for fashion consumers.

In the 21st century, Louis Vuitton began to expand into ready-to-wear under the leadership of LVMH boss Bernard Arnault. Starting in 1997, Marc Jacobs led the heritage house with groundbreaking creations and memorable collaborations with Takashi Murakami, Richard Prince and Yayoi Kusama. In 2013, the designer left Louis Vuitton, ushering in the future vision of Creative Director Nicolas Ghesquière.

Under the French designer’s watch, the brand has looked to its distinct archives while exploring the future. In 2018, Louis Vuitton appointed Virgil Abloh as creative director of menswear—a sensational appointment that helped Abloh cement his place in the luxury fashion world before his death in November 2021. Born from humble origins and the distinctive skills of its founder, Louis Vuitton has grown into a leading luxury house through a relentless emphasis on sleek accessories and striking monograms.