Signature Pieces / The history of objects

Luxury Product Histories

How do the objects that define a house emerge and change? Read 32 independent histories of products and garments across 16 brands.

16 brands · 32 independent stories

Chanel

Movement and construction, from quilted bags to tweed jackets

Hermès

Forms and colours through Birkin, Kelly and silk scarves

Louis Vuitton

Speedy, Alma and the history of travel through hard-sided trunks

Dior

The different design languages of the Bar suit, Lady Dior and Saddle

Gucci

Craft and ornament through Horsebit, Jackie and bamboo handles

Prada

Structured Galleria bags and the flexible material of Re-Nylon

Fendi

The compact Baguette and opening Peekaboo: different leather-goods ideas

Loewe

Puzzle panel geometry and the Amazona’s horizontal body

Bottega Veneta

Cabat and Jodie: volume shaped through Intrecciato

Burberry

Trench coats and cashmere scarves: signatures connected to use

Saint Laurent

Le Smoking and Mondrian dresses: historical garments behind the house

Celine

Triomphe and 16: closures organizing a bag’s front

Maison Margiela

The Tabi’s split toe and the footprint it left on the runway

Maison Margiela Tabi history: a divided footprint →

Ferragamo

Colour and cork platforms in the Rainbow sandal

Ferragamo Rainbow sandal history: colour in layers →

Max Mara

The proportions of the 101801 coat and everyday movement

Max Mara 101801 Coat History: Room to Move →

Balenciaga

The soft construction of Le City and the return of an archive design

Balenciaga City Bag History: Soft Leather, Hard Details →

Logo credits

Chanel: Unknown authorUnknown author / Wikimedia Commons; brand logo, trademark remains with its owner. · Public domain · Source
Hermès: Hermès International S.A. / Wikimedia Commons; brand logo, trademark remains with its owner. · Public domain · Source
Louis Vuitton: Louis Vuitton / Wikimedia Commons; brand logo, trademark remains with its owner. · Public domain · Source
Dior: Dior. Converted to SVG by Morn the Gorn / Wikimedia Commons; brand logo, trademark remains with its owner. · Public domain · Source
Gucci: Gucci / Wikimedia Commons; brand logo, trademark remains with its owner. · Public domain · Source
Prada: Prada S.p.A. / Wikimedia Commons; brand logo, trademark remains with its owner. · Public domain · Source
Fendi: Fendi / Wikimedia Commons; brand logo, trademark remains with its owner. · Public domain · Source
Loewe: Loewe / Wikimedia Commons; brand logo, trademark remains with its owner. · Public domain · Source
Bottega Veneta: Unknown authorUnknown author / Wikimedia Commons; brand logo, trademark remains with its owner. · Public domain · Source
Burberry: Burberry Group Plc. / Wikimedia Commons; brand logo, trademark remains with its owner. Converted to PNG and resized. · Public domain · Source
Saint Laurent: Saint Laurent / Wikimedia Commons; brand logo, trademark remains with its owner. · Public domain · Source
Celine: Celine / Wikimedia Commons; brand logo, trademark remains with its owner. · Public domain · Source
Maison Margiela: Margiela Group · Public domain · Source
Ferragamo: Peter Saville [1] · Public domain · Source
Max Mara: Max Mara · Public domain · Source
Balenciaga: balenciaga / Wikimedia Commons; brand logo, trademark remains with its owner. · Public domain · Source