Loewe (brand)

Infobox Company
name = Loewe

foundation = 1846
type = Division of holding company (LVMH)
founder =
location_city = Madrid
location_country = Spain
location =
locations =
area_served =
key_people = Enrique Loewe Roessberg
industry = Fashion
products = Leather and other luxury goods
services =
revenue =
operating_income =
net_income =
assets =
equity =
owner = LVMH
num_employees =
parent =
divisions =
subsid =
homepage = [http://www.loewe.com/ www.loewe.com]
footnotes =
intl = yes

Loewe ("Loo-ay-vay" in Englishdubious) is a Spanish luxury clothing and accessories brand owned by the LVMH Group.

History

Loewe's story goes back to 1846, when the establishment of a workshop of skin on the street Lobo (later Echegaray Street) in downtown Madrid. In 1872, Enrique Roessberg Loewe, a German craftsman, arrives in Madrid and is associated with the leather shop. Twenty years later, in 1892, signing E. Loewe is installed on the streets of Madrid Principe, with a large poster that serves as a claim and that marked an entire era. It was at that moment when the firm began to achieve notoriety among the general public.

In 1905, when Enrique Loewe Hilton was on the front of the house Loewe, King Alfonso XII delivery to the family business title Supplier of the Royal House. Five years later, in 1910, Loewe opens its first store in Barcelona. It would not be until 1923 when Loewe began to open other stores in the capital, a process that begins with the opening of an establishment in the number of street Barquillo 7. In 1934, Enrique Loewe Knappe takes over the company. There are years of expansion, with successive openings of stores, like the number 8 of the Gran Via Madrid, which opened in 1939. This property remains in place today with the traditional style.

In 1945 the designer Perez de Rozas creates models of bags in boxcalf, soon to become the great classics of the signing. In 1959 Loewe opened a shop on the street Serrano Madrid, which alters completely the stereotype of the establishments of luxury items. In 1963 begins the international expansion of Loewe, which opened a store in London.

With the 70's, Loewe enters fashion prêt-a-porter women's own creation, and designs its first handkerchiefs. That same year Vincent Sailing creates the legendary anagram of Loewe, unmistakable today. The first scent of the mark reached in 1972 under the name L Loewe. One year after Loewe opened its first store in Japan, and thus began its strong expansion in Asia.

In 1974 appears Ante-Gold Collection, designed by Dario Rossi and which marked an era. One year after launching the perfume Loewe Loewe pour homme, which quickly became the market leader. In 1979 the collection appears Napa, designed by Renzo Zengiaro, the concept of armed handbag was replaced by the bag almost without structure. In 1985 sale to the streets of the fragrance Air Loewe, who also becomes the market leader and that even today is one of the most popular Spanish market. In 1986 he opened the first store Loewe Man, which is located at Serrano street in Madrid.

In 1987 Loewe reaches an agreement with the luxury goods group LVMH to strengthen the international expansion of the firm. Also this year is launching the perfume "Esencia de Loewe". There are years of consolidation of a firm with an absolute character, who in 1988 created the Foundation Loewe. This foundation, led by Enrique Loewe, surrender its annual International Poetry Prize. It was in 1996 when Loewe celebrates its 150 anniversary, which coincides with the date of purchase signature by the LVMH group.

In 1997 the designer Narciso Rodriguez takes over the collection of prêt-a-porter female, and in 1998 Loewe fashion parades for the first time in Paris. Then took over Jose Enrique Oña Selfa, which debuted at the helm of the mark with his collection for autumn-winter 2003/04 season. Today the firm has begun an ambitious renovation plan with the recent signing of designer Stuart Vevers, who will serve as creative director from January 2008.

Boutiques

Some of its main boutiques can be found in London, Bangkok, Barcelona, Beijing, Bogotá, Hong Kong, Honolulu, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Madrid, Mexico City, Osaka, Paris, Shanghai, Seoul, Sydney, Tokyo, San Francisco, etc...

References

*Morris, Bernadatte: [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D00E0D71138F932A1575AC0A965948260 Loewe Leather Arrives] , "The New York Times", 21 September 1983.

External links

* [http://www.loewe.com/ Loewe website]