The untold story of how 5 world-famous luxury brands came into being

From humble workshops and handcrafted travel trunks to the glittering runways of Paris, Milan, and beyond, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Chanel, Burberry, and Prada each began with a single founder’s modest shop or ingenious invention. What started as small, often family-run ventures rooted in practicality and artisanal skill evolved into global empires defining what luxury means today. Through meticulous craftsmanship, relentless innovation, and fearless reinvention, these houses not only survived changing times but shaped them, turning leather, fabric, and fragrance into cultural touchstones, and their logos into symbols recognised in every fashion capital across the world. Today, we tell you the fascinating stories of how their origins shaped the legacies we admire.

Louis Vuitton started in 1854 when a young trunk-maker set up shop in Paris to create slim, stackable luggage for modern travel. The house became famous for its durable trunks and later for the protected Damier and Monogram canvases, which helped deter copycats and cemented its luxury identity. After Louis’s death, his son Georges Vuitton expanded the brand globally.

Guccio Gucci opened a small leather and luggage shop in Florence in 1921 after years of working in London hotels, where he observed the elite travellers’ refined gear. Gucci’s equestrian-inspired details and the bamboo-handled bag became instant signatures, and the brand grew through family management, post-war innovation, and celebrity patronage.

Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel began in 1910 with a small millinery before expanding into a couture house in France, simplifying women’s fashion with sporty yet elegant pieces. Her creation of Chanel No. 5 perfume (1921) and the little black dress transformed modern style, making the house synonymous with timeless chic.

Thomas Burberry founded his outerwear shop in 1856 to protect people from Britain’s harsh weather. His 1879 invention of gabardine fabric revolutionised rainwear. Burberry’s practical trench coat, adopted by WWI officers, became a lasting fashion icon and a symbol of British utility and style.

Prada began in Milan in 1913 as Fratelli Prada, a small leather and travel goods shop founded by Mario Prada. Decades later, Miuccia Prada transformed the family business into a global fashion powerhouse by introducing innovative materials, minimalist design, and a daring, intellectual aesthetic.