5 Famous Fashion Names still in Business

If you follow the news at all, you know that many of the fashion houses are choosing to have their fashion shows even with the threat of the coronavirus.  The fear is that it could spread faster but many designers still want their creations to be seen.

Through history fashion houses have come and gone but there are still 10 that are in operation even after many, many years.

1. Louis Vuitton began in 1834 when he arrived in Paris and began to work for Monsieur Marechal.  There he learned how to make trunks and in 1854, Louis left to begin his own place of business.  Over time, his leather products did well and his factory had to expand.  Even now, his name means quality of leather goods.  In addition, his people created locks for these trunks to protect goods from theft.  The locks were so good, even Harry Houdini couldn't break it.

Louis Vuitton now sells shoes, handbags, leather goods, jewelry, watches, and accessaries.  According to Forbes magazine Louis Vuitton brand makes at least a 30 percent profit on all of its goods.

2. Prada began in Milan Italy in 1913.  The company was founding by Mario Prada to produce luxury quality leather goods but it wasn't until 1978 when his grand daughter took over and hit the fashion market with a simple black backpack.  Soon, Prada expanded into shoes and handbags then ready to wear fashion, a younger appealing fashion line, and a sports line. Now a days Prada is known as a luxury fashion house.

3. Hermes began back in 1828 when Thierry Hermes and family moved to a Port Audimer, located north of Paris so he could become a leather worker.  In 1837, Thierry opened a harness making establishment offering extremely well made harnesses to the rich.  In addition, he also provided wrought iron harnesses for the carriage trade.  Over the years, the family expanded their trade internationally until people in Russia, the United States, Asia, Africa, and all over the world.

Their saddles and saddle bags were in great demand.  Then in 1918, the company made the very first leather golf jacket complete with a zipper.  Within four years, Hermes began making leather handbags because the owners wife couldn't find any bags she liked.  By 1929, the company released its very first line of women's clothing, and over the years added silk scarves, jewelry, and accessories. When Grace Kelly carried the Hermes sac handbag, it stirred up so much interest, the company changed the bag to the "Kelly" bag because the public asked for it by that name.

4. Lanvin - is named after Jeanne Lanvin who started her own hat shop in 1889 when she was just 22 years old.  Four years later, she secured a new store in a desirable location but her fashions didn't start until she had her first child.  She created wonderful outfits for her daughter made out of luxurious fabrics.  Her friends fell in love with creations and wanted the same type of outfits for their children and soon she was selling these outfits out of her fashion house.  In 1908, Lanvin opened a children's department in her fashion house.

Due to the popularity of her children outfits, she opened up a Young Ladies and Mothers department where mothers and daughters could shop for clothing together.  This lead to a furs department where people could store their furs during the summer, a sports clothing department, and even opened a popular furniture store.  Everything she released was well received by her followers.  Eventually, she released a line of perfumes, a line of mens clothing,  and her house survived World War II and it continued past her death.

5. Ricci - Born Maria Nielli in Turin but she gained the name Nina as a family nickname and she became Nina Ricci when she married Luigi Ricci.  In 1932, she opened her fashion house in Paris where people flocked because they loved her precise cuts and choice of materials.  Her son, Robert, started a line of perfumes in 1941 and these perfumes were also well received.

Beginning in 1954, she turned the artistic control over to Crahay who lead the house to producing fashions with more curves filled the need of women and flourished.  Then in 1964, Pipart took over artistic control and provided more refined styles for ready to wear fashion while producing flamboyant styles for the haute couture lines.

There are more out there but I chose to start with these five because they are still in business while others such as Worth are no longer in business.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear, have a great day.