Louis Vuitton: The Birth of Modern Luxury

From the Publisher: The first in-depth portrait of one of the world's best-known luxury brands, this elegant volume traces the remarkable history of the House of Vuitton, which has been making practical but stylish luggage, handbags, and accessories for more than 150 years. Written with full access to the company's archives, the book itself demonstrates Louis Vuitton's passion for fine design in a stunning array of archival art, historical images, product designs and sketches, and cutting-edge advertising. Author Paul-Gerard Pasols, former communications director and longtime consultant to Louis Vuitton, explores the company's tradition of quality and innovation in the context of sweeping changes in society, art, culture, fashion, and, above all, travel. Examining the life and times of the company's first three leaders-founder Louis (who invented the modern trunk), his son Georges, and his grandson Gaston-the text focuses on the firm's development under their guidance. It also discusses Vuitton's explosive growth toward the end of the 20th century, including the 1987 merger with Moet-Hennessy that made it part of LVMH, the world's largest luxury goods company, and spurred the expansion of its boutiques to more than 300 locations in 50 countries around the globe. Synopsis Readers will want a sturdy table to support this eight-and-a-half- pound book (it's oversize: 9.5x12.5 ) prepared by Pasols, whose involvement with the company's creative and strategic management began in 1986. He plumbed the depths of the company's archives to write the company's 150-year history, beginning with a biography of Louis Vuitton (1821-1892), who founded the company and invented the modern travel trunk, and then tracing the interplay of business, family, and passion for design and luxury through the decades and across endeavors in fashion, architecture, art, and automobile design. As befits the subject matter, the presentation is lavish, including some 700 color illustrations archival art, historical images, product designs and sketches, and advertisements.