LVMH’s logo appears significant and robust. Despite its compactness, the emblem evokes a sense of harmony and grandeur. Each element of the inscription feels like a separate page from the history of some of Earth’s oldest and most renowned brands.
LVMH: Brand overview
Founded: | 3 June 1987 |
Founder: | Bernard Arnault, Alain Chevalier, Henry Racamier |
Headquarters: | Global: Paris, France Overseas: New York, N.Y., U.S. |
Website: | lvmh.com |
Meaning and History
True elegance and luxury do not imply extravagance. The company’s logos are simple and airy, yet they look expensive and respectable. The rebranding showcased the company’s growth and significant expansion by 2010. The four letters are easily remembered and pronounced in any language. The concise name creates a stable association with the group due to the placement of the logos of LVMH member brands.
What is LVMH?
A conglomerate with an annual profit of 14 billion euros. It specializes in luxury and acquires globally renowned elite product brands. It owns almost a hundred brands in fashion, cosmetics, beverages, yachts, and jewelry. The group’s headquarters are in Paris. Every two years, the company allows the public free access to its properties on four continents to admire luxurious items (Journées Particulières).
1987 – 2010
The first logo consists of an elegant inscription on two levels, each denoted by a separate color. At the top center, in a noble mother-of-pearl gray, is the abbreviation LVMH.
Below, in a deep emerald, are written the names of the companies whose union gifted the world a renowned luxury brand.
- Moët Hennessy – an ancient wine house established in France in 1743 by Claude Moët. In 1833, it was named Moët and Chandon, and in 1971, it formed a union with the cognac production Hennessy.
- Louis Vuitton – a French fashion house opened in 1854 by designer Louis Vuitton, who crafted convenient suitcases and bags for the elite and wealthy.
The emblem prioritizes the older company, highlighting the conglomerate’s rarity and experience, which ensures customer trust. After all, today’s clients’ great-grandfathers might have heard of Moët wines.
The companies’ sizes also played a role, as Moët Hennessy is three times larger than Louis Vuitton. Therefore, it took the leading positions in the union and logo. Interestingly, the secondary role in the emblem somewhat predicted future events when Louis Vuitton’s owners only got 17% of LVMH shares, and with the arrival of Bernard Arnault, they entirely lost their share in the group.
However, in the abbreviation of the joint venture, the fashion house is first, as LVMH stands for Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy. This choice is dictated by the designer’s greater global recognition in the luxury fashion sphere rather than Moët beverages.
The LVMH logo design demonstrates how the new company is based on the preceding two. A line between the first and second levels intensifies the impression. This line seemingly divides the old and new eras, showcasing the inception of a more luxurious and formidable house post-merger.
The mother-of-pearl shades speak of fashion, beauty, and premium-class items, while the malachite tones indicate antiquity, nobility, and wealth. This choice makes the emblem exclusive and exceptional in terms of luxury.
2010 – today
The modern logo consists of four large letters with subtle serifs. Mentions of the founders were removed from the emblem since the number of group members has significantly increased from 2 to 90.
The size of the inscription signifies the conglomerate’s leadership in the luxury world. LVMH surpasses its main competitors, Estée Lauder Companies Inc, L’Oreal Luxe, and Compagnie Financiere Richemont SA. The giant has made its owner and president the wealthiest person in Europe. Arnault’s net worth is estimated at more than $243 billion.
Font and Colors
The inscription’s black color demonstrates a lack of competition. It’s a dominant position in the market. This shade is considered universal and suitable for denoting brands of various directions, with the company having more than 70. Both in fashion and in logos, black looks solemn and ornate.
The chosen font for the inscription is the timeless Dutch 801 Std Roman, which combines refined antiquity with luxurious modernity. The delicate serifs point to the premium, exclusive nature of the products. The uppercase of all letters underscores the equal importance of the group’s members.