What Makes An Icon: The Legend Behind Louis Vuitton
I love stories. It’s so funny looking back at childhood classics as an adult and realizing the life lessons infused in them all. While the magical fairytales of old may have elements of truth, I especially appreciate the true stories behind real life legends. While walking the Esplanade, I always feel amongst so many legends. So, I’d like to share one of my favorite Cinderella stories with you that live on Worth Avenue, and it happens to be about Louis Vuitton, one of my favorite designers.
Who would have thought that a 13 year old orphan from a working-class French family was destined to be the creator of a luxury brand empire?
Louis Vuitton’s mother passed away when he was ten; his father not too long after. Discontent with where he was, as a 13 year old, he set foot for Paris. He made the decision to make a change. He put one foot in front of the other for 292 miles! Over the two year voyage he did what he had to do to get to where he was going. What made him get through the odd jobs was his focus on his pursuit of his dream, never giving up.
When he arrived in Paris he became the apprentice to a box maker and packer. He pursued this with excellence. Separating himself from the rest, he built a desirable reputation among Paris’ elite. Eventually he branched out on his own. With the arrival of train travel, he saw a need in the market for stackable, water-proof suitcases to a consumer who only had trunks with rounded tops. To make a fascinating story short, he became the personal box maker and packer to the Empress of France, and the rest is history!
You are the company you keep! The iconic Louis Vuitton brand has remained the top choice for several of history’s style and fashion icons. In 1925, CoCo Chanel requested a personal-size version of the Alma Voyage. In the 1930s, the Alma Bag was put into regular production. (I have it in pink, of course!) Forever timeless, Audrey Hepburn requested a day-size version of of the Keepall travel bag, known today as the classic Speedy Bag. As I believe Champagne is Always The Answer®, I loved learning that the Noé Bag was the world’s first bucket bag specifically designed to carry five bottles of Champagne!
When I see a Louis Vuitton store, I feel at I’m home. Not just because of the fact it’s a symbol of luxury or prestige, but because I feel at home in that story. Cinderella stories, the rags to riches classics, make an impression because they happened. It tells the listener that magical things CAN and DO happen in this world! Louis Vuitton pursued a life he loved; he was determined to create it, and he did!
One step into a Louis Vuitton store is one step into a 164 year commitment to luxurious excellence. Immerse yourself into this legendary experience when you visit the Louis Vuitton store at the Shops at Esplanade!
