Louis Vuitton Malletier commonly referred to as Louis Vuitton (French: [lwi vit ], commonly/lui vitn/), or shortened to LV is a French fashion

on house founded in 1854 by Louis Vuitton. The label is well known for its LV monogram, which is featured on most products, ranging fromluxury trunks and leather goods to ready-to-wear, shoes, watches, jewellery, accessories, sunglasses, and books. Louis Vuitton is one of the world's leading international fashion houses. Louis Vuitton sells its products through standalone boutiques, lease departments in high-enddepartment stores, and through the ecommerce section of its website

Louis Vuitton was born in 1821 in France. At the age of 14 he traveled over 200 miles on foot to Paris. When he was sixteen, he became apprenticed to the skilled luggage maker Merachal, who worked for the wife of Napoleon III, Empress Eugenie. The skills Vuitton acquired under Merachal's teaching would later enable him to go into business for himself and set the stage for the creation of one of the most desired brands in the world. In 1854 Louis Vuitton opened his own shop in Paris, selling high-end luggage. His designs were unique in that they were flat-topped and able to be stacked, making them very efficient for travel by ship or train. The luggage of the time was rounded and much less efficient when it came to saving space. Louis Vuitton luggage was of the highest quality and became very desirable. In 1885 Vuitton opened a store in London. It was around this time the Damier Canvas was introduced marked with an L- a rough trademark of sorts. Louis Vuitton died in 1892. His son Georges carried on in his footsteps. One of his greatest accomplishments was to release the signature monogram canvas just before the turn of the centery. This was an attempt to stump the growing number of Vuitton counterfeiters. During the next thirty years Georges made Louis Vuitton known world wide, continuing to create timeless products, gain exposure through such venues as the Chicago world fair, and open more stores in Europe and the US. Louis Vuitton continues to be a pinnacle of luxury and fashion. In 1987 the Louis Vuitton Company merged with Moet Hennessey, a top spirits manufacturer, to form LVMH, a massive luxury goods conglomerate. Louis Vuitton is currently creatively headed by Marc Jacobs. It was under his direction that Stephen Sprouse was brought on board, helping to create the limited graffiti bags. Jacobs also collaborated with Takashi Murakami to give us the Monogram Multicolore line of bags, which were an immediate sensation. For more detailed information on the Louis Vuitton biography click here.