Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE is a French luxury conglomerate spearheaded by the legendary entrepreneur Bernard Arnault. The conglomerate owns and operates over 60 brands in fashion, jewelry, wines & spirits, and other luxury sectors. The company is headquartered in Paris, France, and is traded on Euronext Paris. A list of brands owned by LVMH includes names such as Louis Vuitton, Hennessy, Fendi, Moët, and many more.

Bernard Arnault and the Founding of LVMH

LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton emerged in 1987 from the merger of two big names in the luxury sector: fashion house Louis Vuitton and drinks producer Moët Hennessy.

The merger process was facilitated by Bernard Arnault, who acquired a share in the textile group that owned Christian Dior during the 1980s. His vision was clear: unifying powerful luxury brands under one umbrella while preserving their identities and legacies. The merger of Louis Vuitton and Moët Hennessy, which was finalized in 1987, was a strategic move facilitated by Arnault who went on to become chairman and CEO in 1989. Under Arnault's leadership, LVMH not only solidified its position in the luxury market but also diversified its portfolio through acquisitions of reputable brands within the industry.

Further reading: Inside LVMH: The Arnault Family and the Empire's Next Generation

LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton operates across six distinct market segments, a testament to the company’s reach within the luxury industry.

Fashion & Leather Goods: This segment houses some of the world's most iconic fashion brands which primarily produce clothing, handbags, and leather accessories.
Selective Retailing: LVMH has a presence in high-end retail through department stores and duty-free shops, primarily in Paris
Perfumes & Cosmetics: LVMH offers a range of premium fragrances, skincare, and makeup products through its brands.
Watches & Jewelry: The company owns several high-end luxury watch brands, as well as companies focusing on other types of jewelry.
Wines & Spirits: LVMH has a broad portfolio of high-end wine and spirit brands, and sells a wide array of various types of champagne, cognac, and other alcoholic beverages.
Other Activities: The broadest of all the different market segments the company is active in. Other Activities include yachting, hotels, amusement parks, and other things.

A Behemoth of the Industry

LVMH can truly be considered a behemoth of the luxury industry. Apart from the companies we’ve already mentioned, LVMH also owns names such as Dom Pérignon, TAG Heuer, Bulgari, Kenzo, Sephora, and many, many more. Some of the closest peers to LVMH would be Kering and Richemont.