For LVMH, one of the world’s most valuable luxury-goods companies, what do the initials “LVMH” stand for?

For LVMH, one of the world’s most valuable luxury-goods companies, the initials “LVMH” stand for Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy.

LVMH was created in 1987 through the merger of fashion and luggage house Louis Vuitton with champagne and cognac group Moët Hennessy. Moët Hennessy itself had been formed by an earlier merger of Moët & Chandon and Hennessy. The three names therefore preserve important parts of the group’s corporate history.

The company is organized into business groups covering wine and spirits, fashion and leather goods, perfumes and cosmetics, watches and jewelry, selective retailing, and other activities. Its portfolio includes brands such as Dior, Fendi, Bulgari, Tiffany & Co., and Sephora.

LVMH is a group of distinct maisons rather than a single luxury label. The initials are often written without punctuation, but they represent three historic names: Louis Vuitton, Moët, and Hennessy. Bernard Arnault has served as chairman and chief executive since 1989.