Longchamp

Longchamp is a French luxury leather goods company, founded in Paris in 1948 by Jean Cassegrain.[1]

Jean Cassegrain produced the world’s first luxury leather-covered pipes, then expanded into small leather goods, such as wallets, passport covers, etc.. Longchamp launched its first women handbag in 1971 and became one of France’s leading leather goods makers.[2]

The company’s real breakthrough came with the use of nylon. In the 1970s, Longchamp created a leather and nylon fabric luggage collection. For the first time, luggage were light, contrary to the overweight suitcases usually sold at that time. This innovation led the company to design a women’s handbag known throughout the world: Le Pliage, a few decades later.

The company’s products include its innovative “Le Pliage” women’s foldable handbag.[3] The handbag was an instant hit and continues to be the company’s best selling product. Le Pliage’s signature design, which originated in nylon, has been re-envisioned and re-invented in countless shapes, patterns, colors and fabrics.

The company today designs and manufactures a wide range of luxury goods including leather and canvas handbags, luggage, shoes, travel items, fashion accessories, and a line of “ready-to-wear” women’s designer clothing.[4][5][6][1]

The company does business in 80 countries through around 1,500 retail outlets.[7]

The house is still privately owned and managed by the Cassegrain founding family, In 2013, Longchamp invested in logistics to support company growth.[8][53] The company built a 23,000 m2 logistics center in Segré, France. This facility is double the size of the company’s previous facilities.[53]

The company relies on an international distribution network and sells an extensive range of products.[10]

The brand has a presence in 80 countries[48] including in Brazil,[5][16] Israel, Abu Dhabi,[3] Peru, Chile, Paraguay, Canada, Austria, Macao, Cambodia, Dubai, Kuala Lumpur,[6] Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia…[16] Longchamp plans to expand its network across the Middle-East region with a focus on Saudi Arabia and Qatar.[6] The company has also franchised shops in Mexico, Venezuela and Colombia.[5]

The group directly manages more than 300 boutiques worldwide and counts 1,500 points of sales, including retail stores,[5][5][18][54] company-owned boutiques and franchises, department store concessions, multi-brand fine leather goods dealers, airport shops and online sales, through 20 distribution subsidiaries.