Louis’s design not only led the fashion trend, but also changed the overall landscape of the industry. He designed a canvas box in 1858, completely overturning the traditional image of bulky wooden boxes at that time. This box is lightweight and durable, convenient to carry and highly aesthetically pleasing, quickly becoming the preferred choice for royalty and elites worldwide.
In Louis’s life, work was not the only smooth thing. In 1854, this 33 year old man underwent many transformations and breakthroughs. In addition to opening an independent store, he also met Clemens Emily Pario, who was only 17 years old. Her beauty and wisdom were like brilliant stars, adding a rich and colorful touch to his life. Despite the significant age difference between the two, the power of love tightly connects them. Clemens had a profound impact on Louis, not only providing him with unwavering support, but also encouraging him to pay attention to his attire to fit his new position. It was under her motivation that Louis decided to start his own business.
Henry Louis Vuitton, Louis’s great grandson, mentioned in his recollection that “with the encouragement of Clemens, he quickly abandoned the coarse cloth coat and spiked shoes of the workers and replaced them with the popular visiting clothes of the time.” This transformation not only attracted attention, but also demonstrated Louis’s outstanding talent as a store department manager.
Finally, in 1837, at the age of 16, Louis arrived in bustling Paris. At that time, the city was at the peak of the Industrial Revolution, and the huge contradictions and conflicts made him feel even more stressed. However, he did not back down, but chose to face it bravely. In the studio of the famous box manufacturer Mr. Marichal, he began his apprenticeship.
Mr. Monsieur Marichal was a renowned box manufacturer, and his customized boxes were deeply loved by the upper class at that time. In 19th century Europe, making boxes was a highly respected and elegant craft. Because at that time, travel was carried out by carriages, trains, and ships, and luggage was often rudely treated and thrown back and forth, so a sturdy box was needed to protect the items. Security is also an issue, and for customers, it is very important to be able to lock their goods and ensure that thieves cannot easily take them away.
Under the guidance of Mr. Marichal, Louis demonstrated astonishing talent and diligence, and soon made a name for himself in the fashion industry in Paris. His box was not only sturdy and durable, but also uniquely designed and aesthetically pleasing, becoming a luxury sought after by the nobility at that time. With the passage of time, Louis’s reputation grew higher and higher, and his box was even hailed as a “travel art piece”.
On December 2, 1851, 16 years after arriving in Paris, Napoleon finally took a step to change his fate and launched a coup. He held great power in the French Empire under the name of King Napoleon III. Although the wave of change swept across France, not everyone was willing to follow in the footsteps of this new king. However, for young Louis, this was the beginning of his rise to prominence and a testament to his immense fortune.
