With the opening of the first Louis Vuitton Maison in Italy on 29th January 2012, the world renowned trunk and luggage-maker marks a major achievement in its history.

Louis Vuitton’s 14th Maison is called Roma Etoile. It was designed by the architect Peter Marino who renovated this former Cinema Corso in a modern artistic way.

The heart of the shop is structured around a monumental staircase, a tribute to Rome’s Baroque architecture.

French luxury brand Louis Vuitton will open a boutique and jewellery studio on Paris’ Place Vendome this spring and is preparing its first perfume.

“In April we will have our own jewellery workshop and in May will will open our boutique in the same building,” the label’s head Yves Carcelle said.

The project, unveiled in an area of Paris synonymous with luxury, will allow Louis Vuitton to “rejoin the exclusive club of the few jewellers who have their own workshops on the Place” and make the coveted adornments in situ, he said.

Louis Vuitton has teamed up with polo bike players Hannes Hengst and Grégory Barbier to produce their very own LV Polo Bike.

Louis Vuitton has collaborated with Yayoi Kusama on a series of products including leather goods, ready-to-wear, accessories, shoes, watches and jewelry.

Marc Jacobs worked with the Japanese artist on the range, which hits Louis Vuitton boutiques early July. Special window installations are also scheduled.

The artist is best known for her interest in polka dots, which she has famously applied to tree trunks, entire rooms and even people.

Louis Vuitton has confirmed its entrance into the realm of fragrance, with master perfumer Jacques Cavallier-Belletrud heading up the scent development.

The news is significant considering the French fashion house has not marketed any perfumes since the 1920s and ’30s.

It signals another expansion following the brand’s ventures into watches in 2002, fine jewelry in 2004 and eyewear in 2005.

The new collection of Louis Vuitton City Guides have been released on October 15th, touching down in totally unprecedented cities.

Hong Kong and Macau are being offered for the first time in an individual volume, while London, Paris and Rome are returning in an entirely revisited form.

The indispensable European City box set is adding five new destinations to its map: Bari, Birmingham, Odessa, Salzburg and Zagreb.