Top 10 Oldest Luxury Brands to Know
Many high-end fashion houses have been introduced in the last couple of decades. But nothing beats long-term heritage brands that have a rich history of handbag lines and styles.
So, we compiled the top 10 oldest luxury brands to know, plus 5 extra brands that have made their name in the luxury world.
While reverse order would make the most sense, we’re starting with the oldest luxury brand!
1. Hermès: 1837
Hermes is the oldest luxury brand. This French fashion house started in 1837 and is still operating today!
It was started by Thierry Hermès, originally designed saddles and equestrian supplies, with their first unofficial bag for riding supplies. It wasn’t until his grandson, Émile-Maurice, designed the first official handbag in 1922.
The Hermes company continued to grow, specializing in leather, lifestyle accessories, home furnishings, perfumery, jewelry, watches, and ready-to-wear.
Of course, that includes the Hermes Birkin and Kelly bag.
The Hermes branding continued to reflect its equestrian roots through its silk scarf designs and the Duc carriage-and-horse logo.
2. Cartier: 1847
Up next is Cartier, founded in 1847, which is still one of the top jewelry brands today.
It was started by Louis-François Cartier, who purchased his mentor's jewelry workshop on Rue Montorgueil in Paris at 29.
What started as a small jewelry shop quickly grew into an internationally recognized luxury brand. By the 1900s, Cartier had become a favorite brand among royalty and aristocrats.
In fact, King Edward VII referred to Cartier as "the jeweler of kings and the king of jewelers."
But over the years, Cartier expanded into luxury watches, leather goods, accessories, fragrances, and eyewear.
3. Louis Vuitton: 1854
Making the top list of the oldest luxury brands is Louis Vuitton, which started in 1854.
Louis Vuitton started this brand as a trunk making with its iconic luxury monogram. After a while, Louis Vuitton introduced his first weekender bag: Keepall. Then he released a smaller version of the Keepall, the Speedy!
Afterwards, many iconic and popular Louis Vuitton bags followed such as the Alma and the Neverfull along with many famous materials and patterns on their items.
The Louis Vuitton brand expanded into leather goods, ready-to-wear, shoes, watches, jewelry, and accessories.
4. Bvlgari: 1884
Bvlgari makes the list of the top 10 oldest luxury brands that are most recognizable names in fine jewelry, watches, and accessories.
Bvlgari was started by Sotirio Bulgari, a talented Greek silversmith who moved to Rome and opened his first store. His designs stood out due to their Greek and Roman art influence, with bold designs and colorful gemstones.
As the brand grew, Bvlgari expanded into luxury watches, leather goods, fragrances, accessories, and even hotels.
5. Lanvin: 1889
Making it to the top 5 is a French high fashion brand, Lanvin, which was founded by Jeanne Lanvin in 1889.
Originally, Jeanne Lanvin started at 22 with a hat shop. But after giving birth, Lanvin used her daughter as the brand’s muse where the store sold mothers and daughters clothing.
Of course, their brand expanded to include men’s wear, lingerie and fur. It essentially became the first luxury brand where the entire family can shop together.
6. Chanel: 1909
You can debate the brand Chanel started. Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel started working as a seamstress in 1902, but it wasn’t until 1909 that she opened her hat shop in Paris.
Even though Chanel was started as a hat shop, it soon branched into making women’s clothing and accessories with its most iconic item: the Chanel Classic Flap bag.
As the brand continued to grow, it expanded into clothing, handbags, jewelry, fragrances, and beauty products.
7. Prada: 1913
After Chanel, Prada was founded in 1913 and is still one of the most influential brands in luxury fashion today.
Prada was started by Mario Prada in Milan where they originally specialized in leather goods, trunks, and travel accessories designed for Italy's wealthy elite.
With its exceptional craftsmanship and quality, Prada was appointed an official supplier to the Italian Royal Household. Then over the years, Prada expanded into leather goods into ready-to-wear fashion, footwear, fragrances, and accessories.
It wasn’t until Mario Prada's granddaughter, Miuccia Prada, took over where she introduced a fresh, modern street wear for the brand.
8. Balenciaga: 1919
Balenciaga is the next luxury fashion house that was founded in 1919 by Cristóbal Balenciaga in San Sebastian, Spain.
His designs quickly became known by Spanish royalty and aristocrats, who wore this clothing.
However, the Spanish Civil War forced Balenciaga to leave Spain. He relocated to Paris in 1937 and opened a couture house that quickly established itself
Today, the Balenciaga luxury brand offers ready-to-wear clothing, handbags, footwear, and accessories.
9. Gucci: 1921
Gucci is one of the most well-known luxury brands out there. It was founded by Guccio Gucci in Florence, Italy, in 1921.
Initially, Guccio Gucci started producing high-quality leather goods, luggage, and travel accessories for Italy's wealthy elite.
As Gucci grew in popularity, the company expanded beyond travel goods and into handbags, footwear, ready-to-wear fashion, jewelry, and accessories.
You can instantly recognizable Gucci with their GG monogram, Horsebit hardware, and green-red-green web stripes.
10. Fendi:1925
Making it in the top 10 oldest luxury brands is Fendi, which was founded in 1925 by Adele and Edoardo Fendi in Rome, Italy.
The Fendi brand started as a fur and leather goods shop that quickly earned its reputation for its craftsmanship and high-quality materials.
As the company grew, the founder’s daughters took ownership, who helped transform Fendi into its international fame.
In 1965, Karl Lagerfeld joined Fendi as creative director, where he created Fendi's famous FF logo.
Over the years, Fendi expanded into handbags, accessories, and fashion. Their most well-known bags are Baguette and Peekaboo bags.
Other top oldest luxury brands
Just missing out on the top 10 oldest brands, there are 5 more luxury brands that you should know based on their long history in the fashion world.
11. Nina Ricci: 1932
The Nina Ricci Brand was founded in Paris in 1932 by Maria "Nina" Ricci and her son Robert. The brand quickly became known for its feminine, romantic, and elegant designs.
This fashion house is especially famous for its fragrances with its iconic L'Air du Temps perfume.
12. Dior: 1946
Christian Dior was founded in 1946 and quickly changed the fashion industry with its first launch, “New Look,” featuring cinched waists and full skirts for women’s fashion after World War II.
Before becoming a designer, Christian Dior worked in the art world and operated an art gallery. This creative background helped establish Dior as an influential fashion house.
Today, Dior offers clothing, fragrances, and accessories, including its most iconic bag, the Lady Dior.
13. Givenchy: 1952
Givenchy was founded in 1952 by Hubert de Givenchy, who had worked with some of France's most respected designers.
At 24, he opened his own couture house and quickly gained popularity for his elegant yet modern designs.
Givenchy is known for combining sophistication with a relaxed sense of style. The brand is famous for their Bettina blouse and Antigona handbags.
14. Valentino: 1960
Valentino was founded in Rome in 1960 by Valentino Garavani after studying fashion in Paris and working with several renowned couture houses.
The fashion house became known for its signature red gowns, a shade that would later become famous as " Valentino Red" and its Rockstud collection.
15. Yves Saint Laurent: 1961
Finally, the 15th spot as part of the oldest brand is Yves Saint Laurent. It was founded in Paris in 1961 by designer Yves Saint Laurent after his successful career at Dior.
He and his brand were known for challenging traditional fashion norms, such as his first launch of "Le Smoking" in 1966. It was a tailored tuxedo suit for women that became one of fashion's most influential designs.
The Yves Saint Laurent, or YSL, brand makes a wide range of products, including clothing, handbags, footwear, and accessories.
Frequently asked questions
What are the oldest luxury brands?
The oldest luxury brands include Hermes (1837), Cartier (1847), and Louis Vuitton (1852). Many of them started as fine leather for equestrians or trunks, but later transitioned to other products.
What designer brand is the oldest?
Hermes is the oldest designer brand, founded in 1837.
Which is older, Gucci or Chanel?
Chanel is older than Gucci by about 20 years. Chanel was founded in 1909, while Gucci was founded in 1921. See also: Gucci vs Chanel: The Ultimate Comparison for Affordability
In closing
The top oldest luxury brand has stood the test of time through craftsmanship, innovation, and iconic designs.
Trends come and go, but these fashion houses continue to stay in the minds of people in every generation.