Louis Vuitton Purses - Page 2
Railway began to expand across the globe. The transcontinental line in America was just completed and the railway in Africa pushed deeper into the forest to Congo. In this atmosphere Louis Vuitton opened his second shop in the Rue Scribe in Paris. Perfecting his luggage designs, he was eventually appointed supplier to King Alfonso XII of Spain, the Sultan of Egypt and the Grand Duke Nicolas, soon to be Czar of all the Russias.
In 1885, Louis opened his first shop abroad, in London, on Oxford Street. The age of the Orient Express began, which would eventually run from Ostend to Constantinople. At the Paris Universal Exhibition in 1889, amid the opening and inauguration of the Eiffel Tower, Louis Vuitton was awarded the Gold Medal for his designs. In 1888, Louis had created his signature brown and beige Damier pattern in canvas.
Louis Vuitton passed away in 1892 and his son George took over the business. Further problems with imitators and counterfeiters prompted George to create what is now the signature trademark of Vuitton products; the LV monogram pattern. Still much copied, this pattern became the hallmark of Vuitton purses.
In 1901 George created the Steamer Bag, issuing in a new era in Vuitton products. Vuitton purses now became as sought after as his luggage. George opened his new boutique in the Champs-Elysee in 1914, inaugurating the world’s largest retail outlet for travel goods. In 1924, Vuitton introduced its Keepall, further ensconcing itself as the premier maker of fine bags and in 1932 they brought out their Noe bag, still in production today and one of the icons of the fashion world.
1959 and Gaston, son of George Vuitton, perfects his new system for coating his fabrics, opening the industry to a new series of soft luggage and purses. The products were soft and supple, combining waterproof functionality with contemporary style.
Louis Vuitton continues to expand until they have shops in all corners of the world, from Japan to America. The Vuitton monogram now seemingly covers the world and the trend continues to this day.
