There has been a lot of confusion and speculation in the fashion world about whether Louis Vuitton owns Saint Laurent. The answer to this question is not as straightforward as it seems. In this article, we will explore the history of these two iconic fashion houses and examine their current ownership structures.
The History of Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton is one of the oldest and most renowned luxury brands in the world. The company was founded in Paris in 1854 by Louis Vuitton himself.
Initially, the brand specialized in producing high-quality travel trunks for wealthy clients. Over time, Louis Vuitton expanded its product line to include leather goods, clothing, shoes, and accessories.
The History of Saint Laurent
Saint Laurent, formerly known as Yves Saint Laurent, is another iconic French fashion house that was founded in 1961. Yves Saint Laurent was a young designer who had worked under Christian Dior before starting his own label. He gained fame for his revolutionary designs that challenged traditional gender norms and celebrated youth culture.
The Relationship Between Louis Vuitton and Saint Laurent
There is no direct ownership relationship between Louis Vuitton and Saint Laurent. However, both brands are owned by a single parent company – LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton). LVMH is a French multinational conglomerate that specializes in luxury goods such as wine & spirits, perfumes & cosmetics, watches & jewelry, and fashion & leather goods.
LVMH’s Acquisition of Saint Laurent
In 1999, LVMH acquired a controlling stake in the Yves Saint Laurent brand after its founder retired from fashion design. Tom Ford was appointed as creative director of the brand shortly after the acquisition. During Ford’s tenure, he revitalized the label with edgy designs that appealed to a younger demographic.
The Separation of Yves Saint Laurent and Gucci Group
In 2002, LVMH sold its stake in the Yves Saint Laurent brand to the Gucci Group (now known as Kering). This move was prompted by a long-standing feud between LVMH’s chairman, Bernard Arnault, and Gucci’s CEO, Domenico De Sole. The sale included the Yves Saint Laurent fashion house as well as the brand’s perfume and cosmetics lines.
The Rebranding of Yves Saint Laurent as Saint Laurent
After the sale to Kering, the Yves Saint Laurent brand underwent a major rebranding effort. The label was renamed “Saint Laurent Paris” and given a new logo that featured only the letters “SL”. This move was controversial among fashion enthusiasts who felt that it was disrespectful to the legacy of Yves Saint Laurent himself.
Conclusion
In summary, Louis Vuitton does not own Saint Laurent directly. However, both brands are part of LVMH – a parent company that owns many luxury goods brands.
Through LVMH’s acquisition of a controlling stake in Saint Laurent in 1999 and subsequent sale to Kering in 2002, these two iconic fashion houses have been linked together in some way. Regardless of ownership structures, Louis Vuitton and Saint Laurent remain two of the most influential and recognizable luxury brands in the world today.