The Secret History of the World’s First Luxury Luggage

Before Louis Vuitton defined the industry, there was Au Départ. We trace the history of this foundational luxury house. Established in 1834, Au Départ emerged alongside the dawn of the railway age in Paris. While modern shoppers often associate the rise of high-end trunks with later competitors, this brand was already setting the standard for early luxury luggage. We examine the vintage advertisements and original product catalogs that defined the era of elegant luxury travel. Understanding the evolution of these travel accessories offers a clear view of how artisanal craftsmanship transitioned into the modern handbag market. By looking at the history of fashion through the lens of one of its earliest participants, we see how early designs influenced current aesthetics. Subscribe for weekly deep dives into luxury brands, pricing strategy, and the gap between brand value and real-world practices.