louis vuitton - Melinda Earsdon

LOUIS VUITTON 102
met with immediate success and renown. A graduate of the
he name Louis Vuitton Malletier summons to (
High School of Art and DeSign, Marc Jacobs has become the
mind an exclusive world populated by
glamorous women and elegant men. Ladies
fashion world's favourite designer in recent years. He has
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and gentlemen of discerning taste who
been praised with many famous accolades during his
travel first class and always, but always,
short but wildly successful career, including the Perry
have matching luggage. It perpetuates the legend of a
Ellis Gold Thimble Award, the Chester Weinberg
prestigious house, whose incomparable designs
Gold Thimble Award and the Design Student of the
have always belonged to an exceptional
Year Award in 1984.
world of luxurious refinement. This
In the same year Jacobs formed a partnership with
celebrated name is also the affirmation of a
Robert Duffy, called Jacobs Duffy Designs Inc, the
deep-rooted
company continues to carry his famous designs
attachment
to
traditions of
quality and craftsmanship, together with a
today. Two years later he designed his first
total commitment to remain in the forefront of
collection bearing the Marc Jacobs label. In 1987,
creativity and technological research.
Jacobs received the distinct honour of being the youngest
Loui s Vuitton is more than ever dedicated to offering new creations
designer to be awarded the fashion industries highest tribute: The
combining the art of travel and a distinctive lifestyle, and to expanding
Council of Fashion DeSigners of America (CFDA) Perry Ellis Award for
its exclusive stores throughout the world. Today the company boasts
New Fashion Talent.
13 production workshops, an international logistics centre, more than
Since then Jacobs has not looked back, and on 7 January 1997 he
300 exclusive shops in 50 countries and employs 9,500 people
joined the serried ranks of Louis Vui tton in the coveted role of artistic
throughout the world, 60 percent of whom are based outside France. It
director. In this position, Jacobs works on all of the company 's ranges
is a member of the world-famous LVMH family, which houses some of
from men and women's fashion to handbags, textiles and shoes.
the biggest names in luxury brands including Moet & Chandon, Tag
At the VH1 Fashion Awards in the fall of 1998, Jacobs received the
Heuer and Parfum Christian Dior. Much belied by its extensive size,
"\Nomen's Designer of the Year Award". On behalf of the Council of
the company itself was the brainchild of one man: Louis Vuitton.
Fashion Designers of America, Jacobs was selected to receive the 1999
At the tender age of 14, French-born Louis Vuitton decided he wanted
CFDA Accessory Designer of the Year Award.
to go to Paris. With no money to get there and no means of transport,
Much like Jacobs, Louis Vuitton had the keen ability to anticipate the
he braved the 400 kilometre journey on foot. By the time he reached
rapid pace of change in the world. And while the legend of Louis
Paris a year later he was something of a seasoned traveller.
Vuitton Malletier began with the vision of one man, his descendants
Upon his arrival, Louis Vuitton found that Paris was the epitome of
and the deSigners selected by company, have ceaselessly pursued his
style and grace. Shortly afterwards he opened his own establishment
vision, each making a special contribution to the continuing prestige of
on the Rue Neuve-des-Capucines, in the heart of bustling Paris near
the Louis Vuitton name.
the site of the future opera house. He determined to make his fortune
Today, Louis Vuitton carries a complete range of products including
crafting luggage that was as innovative as it was elegant, demanding
trunks, suitcases,
the highest quality materials for his designs.
travelling bags, city
• Louis Vuitton has always been a
In 1854, he introduced an innovative deSign, the first flat trunks
bags, leather goods,
partner in every form of travel ,
designed to be easily stacked in railway carriages and the holds of
diaries, textiles, pens,
whether by land, sea or air. The
n
ocean liners. In the fast-evolving realm of travel, he invented modern
jewellery, watches
House had a natural affinity with
and the Louis Vuitton
exceptional sports, such as yacht
S
luggage and his first pieces were covered with a canvas known as
"Trianon Grey". Louis Vuitton succeeded in making the luggage of the
Ready-to-Wear
racing through the America's Cup,
period more practical and functional, corresponding to the style of its
shoe collections for
owners - prominent citizens and personalities of their time. The
men and women.
and
Beyond fashion and
have a penchant for Louis Vuitton's creations, and since then royalty,
trends, the spirit of
celebrities and heads-of-state have all come to the house of Vuitton for
Louis
has
their special travel needs. This list of luminaries includes many
remained intact: the
notables of the 19th Century: Grand Duke Nicholas, future Tsar of the
passion
Ru ss ian Empire, King Alphonse XII of Spain, and Ismail Pasha,
the use of noble
Khedive of Egypt.
for
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9
h
t
the world's oldest sporting contest,
and the Louis Vuitton Cup, the
Empress Eugenie - Napoleon Ill 's wife, was the first Grande Dame to
Vuitton
.I
travel,
materials , the
While perhaps still best known for timeless classic designs, Louis
refinement in every
Vuitton today is active in other creative spheres and has earned a
detail and artisan
reputation of being a leader in the avant-garde world of fashion
expertise tha t defies
without compromising traditional craftsmanship. Under the artistic
time. A century and a
direction of Marc Jacobs, the collection has now been expanded to
half later, the legend
include Ready-to-Wear, shoes, watches and jewellery, and the y have
lives on.
elimination series of the America's
Cup, and vintage car elegance con­
tests, such as the Louis Vuitton
s
Classic.
• The LVMH Group is a world
leader in luxury brands housing
.1
names such Moet & Chandon, Tag
Heuer, Parfum Christian Dior and of
course Louis Vuitton. With an
annual turnover of 12.690 billion
euros , the constantly expanding
company employs 56 ,000 people
around the world
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