Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton is a French fashion house known for their luxury trunks and leather goods. The brand is often referred to simply by its initials "LV". The "LV" monogram is one of the most recognizable symbols in the fashion world. The house was started by a French designer of the same name, the company began as a luggage company in the late 1800's. Today the fashion line and leather goods are still highly popular and considered a status symbol. There are more than 320 stores in over 50 countries.

Louis Vuitton was born in 1821 in Jura, France. He moved to Paris in 1835 and travelled there by foot. Along the way he met many people and spent time with the french aristocracy which helped him figure out what would make a quality travelling case. By 1854 his company was created, selling lightweight trunks for easy voyages. His company quickly grew and his products were much sought after.

Louis Vuitton passed away in 1892 and his son George Vuitton took over the company. He soon launched the Monogram Canvas campaign which added symbols such as the LV monogram to the bags. This concept was based on the Victorian era's use of Japanese designs. The initial purpose of these symbols was to avoid counterfeiting but soon became a popular look for their product.

Due to the high visibility of Louis Vuitton products and the luxury status of the goods, many celebrities have been a part of various advertising campaigns for the company. Previous celebrities have included Andre Agassi, Catherine Deneuve, and Gisele Bundchen as well as the recent ad campaign with rocker Keith Richards.

Louis Vuitton bags, wallets, and other leather goods are some of the most imitated products on the market. Some websites will tell you that their knockoff items are "inspired" by Louis Vuitton. Most do not and simply pass their products off as the real thing. Use extreme caution when shopping online.