High-End Fashion: 8 Oldest Luxury Houses Still in Vogue

“I love luxury. And luxury lies not in richness and ornateness but in the absence of vulgarity.”

– Coco Chanel

True luxury lies in comfort and quality. Only luxury brands that provide style, elegance, and exclusivity, along with comfort and quality, have been successful in standing the test of time. Over the centuries, quite a number of luxury houses have cropped up. Only a few among them have been able to withstand the constant competition and changing consumer tastes. These iconic fashion houses and jewelry brands have a rich legacy and have been able to withhold their signature styles and craftsmanship while adapting to the changing needs of the time. Today, people all over the world, be they royalty or celebrities, crave to own at least one time from these renowned luxury brands.

Let us take a moment and look at the rich tradition of the oldest luxury houses that are still all the rage today.

Brand: Vacheron Constantin

Year of Establishment: 1755

Vacheron Constantin started its iconic journey in 1755, making it one of the oldest watch manufacturers in the world. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, it is a symbol of horological excellence. It is famous for its intricate craftsmanship and timeless designs. The pieces, Overseas Chronograph Blue Dial and the Fifty-Six Self-Winding, are some of the most coveted ones from its collection.

Brand: Hermes 

Year of Establishment: 1837

Thierry Hermes founded Hermes in Paris in 1837. Over the years, it went on to become an epitome of timeless style and inimitable craftsmanship. Beginning its journey as a harness workshop supplying saddles and harnesses to European nobility, Hermes is best known for its high-end leather goods, including handbags, wallets, and belts. It also produces beautiful clothing, accessories, and home furnishings. Its use of the highest quality materials to create timeless pieces has made it a favorite of the distinguished. Hermes is one of the very few brands today that can boast a clientele that includes Napoleon Bonaparte. Grace Kelly and Jacklyn Kennedy were also its patrons. One thing that makes the brand super special is that it has been under the control of multiple generations of the same family. It is interesting to note that its Birkin handbag, named after actress, Jane Birkin, is said to have an investment value higher than even gold.

Brand: Cartier 

Year of Establishment: 1847

With the motto, “Never imitate, always innovate,” Cartier has been a symbol of sophistication and prestige for centuries. It was founded by Louis Cartier in 1847 as a jewelry workshop. In 1904, Louis Cartier made history when he invented the first hands-free wearable watch named Santos. Since then, there was no stopping. Cartier came up with many iconic pieces like the Tank watch, the Love bracelet, the Panther brooch, the Tutti Frutti necklaces and bracelets, and the Trinity rings, among others. Cartier is still the go-to brand for royalty and celebrities. Princess Diana, Grace Kelly, Kate Middleton, Michelle Obama, Jacqueline Obama, Andy Warhol, Anne Hathaway, Sienna Miller, Dua Lipa, Wallis Simpson, Clark Gable, King Farouk of Egypt, Elizabeth Taylor, and Richard Burton, are only a few names on Cartier’s long and illustrious list of clientele. 

Brand: Omega 

Year of Establishment: 1848

Omega was the brand of choice for watches for Elvis Presley, John F. Kennedy, George Clooney, Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, and Eddie Redmayne, among others. Ever since 1995, it has also been associated with the James Bond franchise. Louis Brandt founded Omega in 1848 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. The brand is famous for producing innovative timepieces that can endure extreme weather conditions and operate in space as well as underwater.

Brand: Louis Vuitton 

Year of Establishment: 1854

Established by its namesake in 1854, Louis Vuitton is a leading player in the global market. Vuitton dedicated seventeen years of his life to studying the market before he set up his now iconic company. Today Louis Vuitton articles, with their monogram pattern, have become synonymous with luxury. Their wide array of high-end offerings includes leather goods, fashion accessories, jewelry, perfumes, and timepieces. Louis Vuitton has become the go-to brand for travel baggage for renowned celebrities like Catherine Deneuve, Nan Kemper, Lauren Bacall, Audrey Hepburn, Rihanna, Kate Moss, Gigi Hadid, Sarah Jessica Parker, the Beckhams, and the Kardashian-Jenners, among others.

Brand: Bvlgari

Year of Establishment: 1884

Sotirios Voulgaris, a Greek silversmith who later changed his name to Sotirios Bulgari, set up Bvlgari in 1884. The brand is known for its fragrances, timepieces, leather goods, and signature gold and silver jewelry. The striking color combinations, distinct motifs inspired by the company’s Roman heritage, and meticulous craftsmanship have made the brand an epitome of luxury. Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, Ingrid Bergman, Grace Kelly, Anita Ekberg, Charlize Theron, and Lady Gaga are only a few well-known faces among many who have been spotted wearing Bvlgari pieces.

Brand: Lanvin 

Year of Establishment: 1889

Lanvin was set up by Jeanne Lanvin in 1889 in the world’s fashion capital, Paris. Lanvin began as a milliner’s shop that offered stylish hats to women. Within no time, the house started specializing in clothing and accessories. In the 20^th century, the brand was known for its luxurious and ornate evening designs. It continued climbing the rungs of popularity and became a favorite of royalty, celebrities, and billionaires. Today, Lanvin is known for its sophisticated and timeless designs. It is interesting to note that Lanvin, known for its out-of-the-box usage of materials and colors, was one of the first fashion houses that used metal threads and iridescent fabrics in their designs.

Brand: Chanel 

Year of Establishment: 1909

Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel was a trailblazer in the fashion industry. She broke away from the ornate and often uncomfortable styles of the past and came up with comfortable and stylish attires. She was the one who made the little black dress a must-have, along with suit jackets for women. She established the French luxury brand, Chanel, way back in 1909. Today, the brand with its interlocking “CC” is synonymous with elegance, luxury, and timelessness. It is no wonder that Chanel has been the favorite brand of renowned celebrities like Marilyn Monroe, Princess Diana, Jaqueline Kennedy, Romy Schneider, and Anna Wintour, among others.    

Conclusion

All the brands listed here have maintained their value for centuries. Their legacy remains unblemished. There are millions of people around the world who ardently follow these classy luxury houses. It is interesting to note that all of them have had humble beginnings.

Do vote for your favorite brands and let me know in the comments what makes them so special to you.