Louis Vuitton opened his first Paris store in 1854, building a house rooted in trunks and travel. Flat-topped luggage made stacking easier, while distinctive canvases became lasting parts of its identity. The chequered Damier pattern preceded the Monogram, which Georges Vuitton created in 1896 with his father’s initials and floral motifs. This combination of practical design and recognisable decoration remains central to the house’s heritage.