Logo: “LV” in caps, overlapped. When spelled out, sans serif in all caps.

Signature Elements: the ubiquitous brown and tan monogram coated canvas, or, in recent years, in 33 multicolors on white or black canvas. Gold hardware.

Most Famous Handbag: Though there are quite a few contenders, the most long-standing popular bag has been the Speedy, which comes in three sizes. A travel keep-all satchel with a short handle, this design has been a perennial favorite, and relatively economical ($620) compared to alternatives.

Founder: Louis Vuitton was born August 4, 1821 in Anchay, France. He began manufacturing trunks in Paris in 1854, where his popularity among the wealthy soared. International acclaim came through a bronze medal at the 1867 Paris World’s Fair.

After Louis’ death in 1892, his son Georges developed the famous monogram, known as the first recognizable designer label on a product. Ironically, the monogram was designed to prevent counterfeiting, which was happening at a brisk clip by the late 1800s. Today, over 99% of LV goods are counterfeit — the vast majority of these goods have the monogram.

Current Designer: Marc Jacobs, the “bad boy genius” of the design world. An outsider, Jacobs was hired by LVMH head Arnault in an attempt to revive the somewhat staid image of the Louis Vuitton brand in the 80s. Jacobs mixed high and low-end design, creating the so-called “graffitti” design. The multicolor design also has become a classic for the brand. The Murakami line, a partnership with Takashi Murakami, resulted in the cherry blossom designs.

Company Control/Exclusivity: The company tightly controls its distribution and is completely vertically integrated. They employ their own artisans that craft the finest bags, though there is increased scrutiny with the possibility of offshore manufacturing.

The mystique of Louis bags is infamous. Louis bags never go on sale, and prices are calibrated internationally to prevent favorable pricing in any particular countries. Louis Vuitton is the most profitable brand within the massive LVMH family. The stock symbol is CDI on EuroNext Paris.

Website: http://www.louisvuitton.com/