Off-piste flat

The story of Louis Vuitton is a triumphant journey from humble beginnings as a trunk maker to a symbol of global luxury. The House was founded in Paris in 1854 by the young craftsman Louis Vuitton, who began his career packing the luggage of Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III. His revolutionary design was the first flat trunk—an ingenious departure from the then-common curved trunks, as they were stackable and facilitated travel on the new railways. To protect his creations from cheap imitations, Vuitton developed innovative patterns: first the gray Trianon canvas and later, after his death, the famous Damier pattern with the inscription "Marque déposée" (registered trademark). His son, Georges Vuitton, is responsible for the now globally recognized Monogram Canvas with its intertwined initials LV, geometric flowers, and stars, which has been the undisputed trademark since 1896. Louis Vuitton remained a travel luggage specialist for a long time, but from the 1990s onward, following its merger with Moët Hennessy to form the LVMH group, it transformed into a comprehensive fashion empire. Under creative directors like Marc Jacobs, the brand became relevant for ready-to-wear fashion, shoes, and accessories, successfully blending its historical DNA of luxury travel with modern, often surprising collections. Today, Louis Vuitton is the world's most valuable luxury brand, whose handbags, such as the Speedy and the Neverfull, are among the best-selling and most iconic pieces in the entire fashion industry.