The Origin of the Louis Vuitton Logo

A few words about Louis Vuitton

Founded in 1854, Louis Vuitton is a French luxury leather goods brand. Initially, the founder who named his company after himself was a trunk-maker. At that time, being a trunk-maker meant taking care of the luggage of the rich and powerful when they went on a trip. Louis Vuitton quickly made a name for itself in the industry, even having Empress Eugenie among his clients.

Because he had to manage a lot of luggage, Louis Vuitton had the idea of creating different types of trunks adapted to new means of transport. Over time, he would leave his work as a trunk-maker to focus on the creation and sale of his many products. Known for their luxury luggage and handbags, the Louis Vuitton brand would also launch into perfumes and ready-to-wear fashion. Today it is one of the best-known luxury brands on the market, but also one of the most counterfeited.

The creation of the Louis Vuitton logo

Louis Vuitton did not create the company's logo; it was his son Georges who would take the reins of the family business. As the products designed by his father became more and more popular, it was time in 1896 to bet on a strong brand image. Several other companies were trying to copy the style of trunks created by Louis Vuitton.

The Louis Vuitton logo is both a monogram logo and a combined logo, as is the case with Chanel, another French luxury brand. As well, Louis Vuitton's base logo has not undergone any major changes over time, proving that it is a timeless logo. 

Let's start with the monogram version. It is simply a logo created from the initials of the founder, an L and a V intertwined. It should be noted that the V is straight, while the L is slightly on an incline, the entire logo is not symmetrical. Sometimes, the letters appear in a circle, depending on the year. This symbol is used everywhere, whether on products or as Favicon of their website.

Next, depending on the occasion, the name of the company can also be added under the symbol. The font chosen by Louis Vuitton is Futura, a simple but elegant sans serif font. Most of the time, black is the main color of the brand, although brown, gold or orange can be used. Again, these are all colors associated with luxury, elegance and wealth.

The evolution of the brand over time

As mentioned, the Louis Vuitton logo has not undergone significant changes during its existence. Consistency is an integral part of the brand's values, as they have been using the same logo for over 100 years. As luxury brands are distinguished by their timeless branding, there is a good chance that this French company will keep their logo for many years to come.

When you think of a Louis Vuitton product, a brown leather handbag with a very specific light print probably comes to mind. This print was also designed by George Vuitton and is used on many products, including bags, suitcases and accessories. The print is a monogram symbol of Louis Vuitton and different flower emblems with four alternating petals. These visual elements represent joy and femininity.

How to be inspired by Louis Vuitton when creating your logo

The Louis Vuitton logo can certainly serve as a source of inspiration for your logo. First, if you have chosen your own name as your business name, you might want to consider using your initials to form a monogram logo. Several French luxury brands such as Chanel and Yves St-Laurent have also chosen this type of logo to showcase their name. You don’t have to intermingle the letters. You can duplicate them, move them, flip them, to create something unique. 

Then, if you want to sell high-end products or services, there are several components to consider when creating your logo. Let's start with color. Several colors are associated with elegance and luxury. For example, there is black which remains a classic choice, purple which has long been associated with power and brown which is the shade of several noble materials such as wood or leather. Finally, to increase your chances of having a timeless brand image, keep it simple, whether it is the components or font of your logo.

In conclusion, we can say that Georges Vuitton had taste. He was able to create a logo that is still fashionable in 2023 and create a very recognizable print that could be used on multiple items. If you want to sell high-end products, you need a brand image that matches. In this regard, do not hesitate to take a look at the images of French luxury brands before starting your logo.