Louis Vuitton

From crafting trunks in 19th-century Paris to defining luxury today, Louis Vuitton has always been ahead of the curve. It all began in 1854 when Louis Vuitton opened his own workshop after years of apprenticeship and serving as the personal box-maker for Empress Eugénie de Montijo. He shook up the travel world by designing flat-topped trunks that could be stacked easily and made them waterproof with canvas—a game-changer back then.

But the brand didn’t stop at luggage. In 1997, Marc Jacobs launched Louis Vuitton’s ready-to-wear lines, teaming up with artists like Stephen Sprouse and Takashi Murakami. These collaborations blended high fashion with pop culture and set a new standard for what a heritage brand could be.

Since 2013, Nicolas Ghesquière has been leading womenswear, infusing his futuristic style and love for architecture into the collections. He’s known for taking the runway to iconic spots around the globe because, as he puts it, “For Louis Vuitton, the idea of traveling is fundamental.”

On the menswear front, Pharrell Williams stepped in as artistic director in 2023 after the impactful tenure of Virgil Abloh. Pharrell’s debut show in Paris was a blend of music, fashion, and culture, aiming to make everyone feel included. “While this is menswear, I make things for humans,” he said.

Despite all the evolution, the heart of Louis Vuitton remains in its craftsmanship. The original workshop in Asnières, opened in 1859, is still buzzing with artisans creating timeless pieces. It’s a nod to where it all started while the brand keeps pushing boundaries in the fashion world.