The book I’m currently reading, Deluxe has reminded me of the various groups that make the fashion industry move, Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy, Gucci Group and Prada S.P.A.

In my belief these are the 3 leading fashion corporation groups with LVMH leading the industry (of course). For a little background information, here is a list of the LVMH brands (if you didn’t know already)…

If you click the image to the right, you will see their extensive list of brands (from Wikipedia).

Gucci Group on the other hand has a handful of good brands too.

Click the image above to view their collection.

The Prada Group is a smaller private group with just Prada and Miu Miu in my knowledge because they lost a lot of money by purchasing Fendi. (Please correct me if I’m wrong).

The only authentic and true family that is most hands on with the product line has to be Prada and Miu Miu. The luxury brands that LVMH and Gucci Group owns is lead by financial advisers, COO’s and the investors.

The book definitely makes it clear by the 3rd chapter how luxury lost its lust. The reason the author makes that argument is because the designers can be heavily scrutinized with every creative factor that can possibly damage the designer’s vision and distort the creativeness that the hired designer has in mind.

LVMH is SO SO lucky to have Marc Jacobs who was hired by head honcho of LVMH Bernard Arnault. MJ put LV women’s wear on the fashion map.

(LVMH’s Bernard Arnault’s view on Luxury from June 2009)

Despite his wise hiring decisions, Bernard Arnault has been accused of capitalizing his industry which has affected the brands’ image of luxury in fashion (the wine and spirits industry, cosmetics, parfums etc). The three fashion corporations make the luxury aspect of fashion weaker than it is. How much power do the designers and the creative directors really have on the product line? The overpowering business heads of the corporation in efforts to maximize profits on each garment or perfumes can deteriorate the luxury factor into the brand, no doubt.

My idea of this post was to open the minds of you that were interested in fashion. There is no hate on these fashion corporations because they keep the industry moving, but at the same time it is necessary to question the financial business side that naturally affects the creative side. When these corporations are so money hungry you have no choice, but to question its luxury feel.

By viewing the video, you can see Arnault’s efforts to save the luxury and exclusivity of his brands by being selective of his availability. But even so, you have to read the book to understand in even greater detail how these brands have almost been stripped away of its original designers that created the brand.

Creating a luxury product is one thing, but if the brand loses its vision and family history then the brand has lost everything. It’s not just about these corporations making profit. It’s about being true to the brand in generations to come…