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THE elegant figure of Sue Whiteley, UK managing director of Louis Vuitton, sweeps through panys plush Bond Street store, proudly bearing a small brown case the size of a hatbox, trimmed with shiny gold clasps and lined with soft, vanilla-coloured suede. I would have brought the latest special order trunk to show you, but it takes two men to lift it, she says, running her manicured hand over the smooth canvas emblazoned with the famous Louis Vuitton monogram. The Japanese-inspired flower motif has been synonymous with luxury since it was first introduced in 1896.

The case was one of a set of four one-off pieces created for a customer who travelled to the Paris suburb of Asnieres, the home of Louis Vuittons master craftsmen, to discuss the finer points of mission. The journey to Asnieres, individual consultation, the ninemonth wait for a hand-crafted one-off piece, the distinctive monogram and, of course, the eye-watering price tag, bine to create the aura of exclusivity which is integral to the success of Louis Vuitton, part of the worlds largest luxury goods groups, LVMH.

It might seem impractical to order a trunk which takes two men to lift, but the clientele who make such purchases are unlikely to be left heaving their own luggage. Founded in 1854 in Paris by apprentice trunk-maker Louis Vuitton, panys customers have been topdrawer since the days when the young Vuitton created trunks to modate the voluminous crinolines worn by Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III.

The brands history is peppered with illustrious clients, from maharajahs to movie stars - including Douglas Fairbanks, Grace Kelly and Ginger Rogers - and its pieces adapted as transportation changed from steamers to private jets. Whiteley, who was appointed UK managing director last year moving from chief executive of Alexander McQueen, says recent customers include Sharon Stone and film-maker Sofia Coppola.

When Louis Vuitton opened its remodelled opulent store on the Champs-Elysees recently, the launch party was satisfyingly exclusive. It was attended by Uma Thurman the face of the brand and fellow actresses Catherine Deneuve, Winona Ryder and Salma Hayek.

Whiteley acknowledges that counterfeiting remains a headache for all major brands. But the real thing is out of the reach of most mortals, with an GBP88 key fob the cheapest thing on display in Bond Street.

A hand- beaded bag from the catwalk collection costs GBP15,000. Whiteley says pany has 40 lawyers working bat counterfeiting at any one time.

She says that enshrining the Louis Vuitton brands values is core to its success. The LVMH prises some 50 luxury brands, spanning wines and spirits, including Moet et Chandon champagne and Glenmorangie whisky; perfumes and cosmetics, including Christian Dior; jewellery and watches, including TAG Heuer; and fashion and leather goods such as Givenchy, Kenzo, Fendi and Marc Jacobs Louis Vuittons artistic director.

The group, which has 400 stores and 56,000 employees worldwide, is enjoying strong growth, with profit exceeding the Euros 1 billion mark for the first time to reach Euros 1.09bn in the half year to end June 2005. Fashion and leather goods account for the lions share, accounting for Euros 654 million of profit and Whiteley says readyto- wear fashion is one of the fastest-growing parts.

Louis Vuitton is one of the brands which understands its own DNA. Theyve never moved away from that but they have revitalised it with the help of Marc Jacobs, who has just signed another 10-year contract, Whiteley says.

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