Longchamp (company)

Longchamp corporate logo
Industry	Fashion
Founded	1948
Founder	Jean Cassegrain
Headquarters	Paris, France
Area served	Worldwide
Products	Leather handbags, small leather goods, shoes, clothes
Revenue	566 million euros (2015)
Website	www.longchamp.com

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

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

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, few decades later.

The company's products include its innovative "Le Pliage" women's foldable handbag. 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.

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

The house is still privately owned and managed by the Cassegrain founding family.

In 1948, Jean Cassegrain took over his father’s traditional tobacco business "Au Sultan" in Paris, France.

After the Second World War, Jean Cassegrain catered to Allied troops with his tobacco and smoking accessories. Pipe sales were the most profitable part of his business. Little by little, soldiers became the store’s best customers.