Longchamp is a French brand founded in 1948 that specializes in the production of accessories and luggage. The brand also produces women's clothing and footwear. Longchamp was founded by Jean Cassegrain in Paris.

It all started with the production of smoking accessories in the 1940s. It was at that time that Jean Cassegrain inherited a small tobacco shop from his father. In 1948 Jean Cassegrain registered the Jean Cassegrain et Compagnie brand. Talented artisans hired by him made smoking accessories with leather decor.



Jean Cassegrain himself creates his own design - a leather-bound smoking pipe. At that time it was a popular product, the brand's products were in demand.

In 1955 year the activity of the brand began to expand. Now, in addition to leather cases for smoking pipes, the store could buy wonderful suitcases or travel bags for the same purpose. The brand has serious clients, and Jean Cassegrain opens the first factory in Segre.

The founder of the company loved equestrianism, and therefore the horse races, which were held in the Bois de Boulogne at the Longchamp racetrack.

In the XIX - XX centuries. horse racing attracted attention bohemians and aristocrats... Crowds of people have always gathered here, such events did not go unnoticed. Horse racing at the Longchamp racetrack has been described in literary works and in painting, for example, by E. Zola and E. Degas. The first race took place on April 27, 1857, was attended by the Emperor Napoleon III and Empress Eugenie. The best horses participated in the races that day.



Today the entire territory of the hippodrome is protected by the state. Something in the buildings has changed, new stands and buildings have appeared, but in general everything is preserved. So, it is to this racetrack that the Longchamp brand owes its name.

Jean Cassegrain, despite the increased popularity of his brand, changed its name to Longchamp. The logo of the brand is the image of a jockey galloping on a horse.

Five years later, in the 1960s, the brand began producing suitcases and briefcases, travel bags and wallets, the materials of which were leather and nylon. All goods were quickly sold out. The company has firmly established itself in the global market. Women's handbags and travel bags have won the loudest fame.

For just over 20 years, Jean Cassegrain ran his successful business. In 1972 he was gone. From that moment on, Philip Cassegrain continued his father's business.

30 years after its foundation, the company stopped producing tobacco and smoking accessories. Philippe Cassegrain completely switched to the manufacture of bags and suitcases. In 1988, the Longchamp mono-brand boutique was opened in Rue Saint-Honoré in Paris. During this decade, one after another, the company opened boutiques in department stores around the world.



In 1993 Longchamp unveiled the Le Pliage women's foldable bag, which has become an iconic item for the brand.

In 2006 Longchamp has launched a women's ready-to-wear line. From that moment on, Philippe Cassegrain's daughter, Sophie Delafontaine, became the creative director of the brand.

“I am confident that every bag is created to become an it-bag. At least I put the same amount of energy and pleasure into the Longchamp lines, ”says Sophie Delafontaine.

In 2006 opened a flagship boutique in Soho, New York. And in the same year, an online store was launched.

Since 2012 the brand produces women's shoes: sandals, pumps and sandals.

The Longchamp brand has collaborated with many designers. For example, since 2006, American designer Jeremy Scott has been participating in collaborations, developing the design of the Longchamp Le Pliage bags, in 2007 he created two models of the Le Pliage bag - with the image of a poodle and a gold bank card, in 2009 - bags decorated with images of medals.

Jeremy Scott is inspired by all kinds of ideas! In 2011, pill-print bags hit the market, and in 2012, the Jeremy Scott for Longchamp, a capsule collection of bags inspired by the computer keyboard, was launched. For spring / summer 2013 Jeremy Scott has again developed two new bag models - Longchamp Le Pliage bags with a parcel print and with the image of the sea, sun, beach and the words “Greetings from Paradise. The land of Sunshine "-" Greetings from paradise - the land of sunshine. "



In 2012 Mary Katranzu, a famous designer and Queen of Print, has developed the design of bags on the theme "Meeting of East and West". The prints on the bags united the West and the East. They consisted of Japanese landscapes with dragons and orchids, lanterns, flowers, Chinese umbrellas, and images of the facade and front staircase of Carnegie Hall.



The faces of advertising campaigns for accessories were models Kate Moss, Emily DiDonato, Coco Rocha and many others.

Since 2006 the brand began a partnership with Kate Moss. The supermodel began to take part in the creation of collections of accessories, and she did it well.

Brand fans include Brad Pitt, Carla Bruni, Sarah Jessica Parker, Nicole Kidman, Diane Kruger, Kate Moss, Jessica Alba, Anne Hathaway, Claudia Schiffer and many other celebrities.

Today, the Longchamp brand is known not only for its leather goods, but also for its gorgeous women's clothing that women of all ages can wear. And it all started with a tobacco shop and smoking pipes. The brand remains a family business.

The president of the company is Philippe Cassegrain, and the creative director is his daughter Sophie Delafontaine.

In 2018 Longchamp celebrated their 70th anniversary.