Guess where the famous LV graphics had come from?

For those who own an LV bag, I would imagine the likelihood of them knowing the origin of the famous quatrefoil and flower pattern is pretty slim.  In the latter half of the 1850s, the soaring success of Louis Vuitton's innovative flat-top trunks using waterproof and lightweight canvas had led to widespread imitations.  To combat the copycats, a uniquely different design had to be adopted.  Before that, their luxury trunks looked more functional than stylish.

By the end of the 19th century, Vuitton launched and patented the signature LV monogram canvas that featured the graphic symbols of quatrefoil and flower that were inspired by Japanese and Oriental designs.  The rest is history. In a 2010 study, Louis Vuitton and the LV monogram is the world's 29th most valuable brands.

Over the years, Louis Vuitton and his family have worked with numerous royalties and celebrities of their time.  The majority of their commissions were one-off designs tailored to specific needs of their clients, like the foldable day bed and the bureau.

A travelling folding bed that fits in a trunk

An office on the move

The romantic notion of travelling on a hot-air balloon, like the ill-fated Lindbergh, across the Atlantic Ocean gives you an idea of how aristocratic the whole business of travelling could be in those days.  No expense was spared to make sure the experience would make perfectly good dinner conversations over a glass of champagne.

The stained glass that decorated the original shop on rue Scribe, Paris. Circa 1900s.