Louis Vuitton Malletier — commonly referred to as Louis Vuitton (French: [lwi vɥitɔ̃], commonly Anglicized as /ˈluːi ˈvuːtɒ/), or shortened to LV — is aFrench fashion house founded in 1854. The label is well known for its LV monogram, which is featured on most products, ranging from luxury 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 small boutiques in high-end department stores, through in the e-commerce section of its website.
Since the 19th century, manufacture of Louis Vuitton goods have not changed: Luggage is still made by hand. Contemporary Fashion gives a preview of the creation of the LV trunks: "the craftsmen line up the leather and canvas, tapping in the tiny nails one by one and securing the five-letter solid pick-proof brass locks with an individual handmade key, designed to allow the traveler to have only one key for all of his or her luggage. The woven frames of each trunk are made of 30-year-old poplar that has been allowed to dry for at least four years. Each trunk has a serial number and can take up to 60 hours to make, and a suitcase as many as 15 hours."
Many of the company's products utilize the signature brown Damier and Monogram Canvas materials, both of which were first used in the late 19th century. All of the company's products exhibit the eponymous LV initials. The company markets its product through its own stores located throughout the world, which allows it to control product quality and pricing. It also allows LV to prevent counterfeit products entering its distribution channels. Louis Vuitton has no discount sales nor does it have any duty-free stores. In addition, the company distributes its products exclusively through LouisVuitton.com.
The brand has outwears, bags, shoes, scarves, small leather goods,jeans, jewellery, belts, umbrellas, media cases, frams, sunglasses, watches, fragrance, wallets, neckwear, cufflinks, etc.
LOUIS VUITTON has created a home for football's most covetable prize- the FIFA World Cup trophy. The French design house and supermodel Naomi Campbell, yesterday unveiled its custom-made, 18-ct-gold travel case designed to hold the trophy until it is handed to the winning team in July.
"We are very proud to have been chosen by FIFA to create the case in which the world's ultimate sporting prize will in future travel the globe," a spokesperson for Louis Vuitton said. "This exceptional commission truly honours Louis Vuitton's 150- year tradition of craftsmanship and savoir-faire. We are also delighted to be part of the great festival of football that the 2010 FIFA World Cup promises to be, and to renew our ties with the host country South Africa, with which we have had for many years a very special relationship."
The trophy was commissioned by FIFA and was handmade in the company's original workshop in Asnières, which opened in 1859. The travel case is covered in Louis Vuitton's iconic monogram canvas and is fitted with the company's signature brass lock and corners.