Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton
No discussion of luxury brands will ever be complete without a mention of Louis Vuitton (popularly known as LV). Louis Vuitton is the epitome of luxury in the high-end fashion world. From media personalities and celebrities, to royalty and business leaders, being seen with the latest release from the house of Louis Vuitton has become the ultimate statement of opulence. No matter what price tag comes attached to products with the iconic monogram, there are always people willing to splurge on it.
The History
Louis Vuitton established LV brand in Paris in 1954. The brand started on a high, as Vuitton started manufacturing a brand of trunks that were made from Trianon canvas. These new trunks were practical since they weighed less than the others available in the market. The trunks were also watertight, so they were made with flat tops for easier stacking. This was also the era during which travelling by train and ships was starting to become popular and the products from the house of Louis Vuitton were perfectly suited for this purpose.
The popularity of the design was so immense that other luggage makers even started to copy its design. In the years that followed and even as the company was taken over by Georges Vuitton, who introduced the well-known monogram canvas, the popularity of the brand kept growing to what it has become today.
The Brand
The iconic monogram canvas has become one of the most recognizable brands in the entire world and one of the most valuable too. In 2013, the brand was valued at $28.4 billion. For six years running from 2006 to 2012, Louis Vuitton was considered the most valuable luxury brand.
To buy a Louis Vuitton product today, you either have to make your purchase online or visit one of their stand-alone boutiques. In some places, the company also leases space in some of the high-end stores and malls. This leaves no doubt as to the sort of clientele that the brand associates itself with.
The company also collaborates with many top celebrities and this has proven to be a powerful marketing tool as demand for these products usually rises exponentially as soon as they are seen in the right hands. Perhaps the power of the Louis Vuitton brand can best be seen by the immense efforts that are made to make knock-offs of their products every year.
The Products
The company is still a leading manufacturer of luggage, and their trunks and bags are still among the most sought after by the rich and famous. Additionally, the Louis Vuitton monogram can now also be found in other products such as watches, hats, shoes, jewellery, books, sunglasses, and other accessories.
The company hires some of the best designers in the world and every year, limited editions of Louis Vuitton products are made available. To acquire the limited edition of Louis Vuitton bags, buyers need to make reservations through specific stores.
