The 1987 merger of Louis Vuitton and Moët Hennessy created LVMH.
Louis Vuitton was a leading luxury luggage and fashion house, while Moët Hennessy brought together major champagne and cognac brands. Their combination created a diversified luxury group whose initials stand for Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy. The merger occurred during a period of consolidation in the French luxury industry.
LVMH later expanded through acquisitions and now operates brands across fashion, leather goods, wines and spirits, perfumes and cosmetics, watches and jewelry, and selective retailing. Its portfolio has included houses such as Dior, Fendi, Bulgari and Tiffany & Co.
The name is sometimes written with spaces or punctuation, but the company’s standard corporate styling is LVMH. It should not be confused with Kering, another major French luxury group that owns brands including Gucci and Saint Laurent.