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Longchamp is a French leather and luxury goods company. Longchamp was founded by Jean Cassegrain in 1948.
The company employed individual craftsmen dispersed throughout the Loire valley countryside to create leather coverings for pipes and other products geared toward smokers. By 1955 it had expanded to include small leather goods, opening its first factory in Segré. By the 1970s, Longchamp opened its first boutiques in Hong Kong and Japan, and became known for its lightweight travel goods.
In 1980, the founder's son and current company president, Philippe Cassegrain took the helm and began expanding its retail and factory locations into Belgium and Germany. The company also began producing clothing, scarves, and other fashion accessories.
In 1993, Longchamp introduced its "Le Pliage" line, a collection of foldable travel bags made of vinyl and leather trim. Its popularity has allowed the Longchamp brand to penetrate new markets abroad, including the United States.
Today, in addition to its heritage as a leather goods firm, Longchamp has cultivated a devoted following and brand that is now known for its designs, venturing into partnerships with notable designers and artists including Thomas Heatherwick, who designed Longchamp's SoHo boutique and Tracey Emin to create special collections, and hiring supermodel Kate Moss and photographer Mario Sorrenti in its latest advertising campaigns.
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