Louis Vuitton has further globalized its production by opening a leather bag factory in Texas. The French luxury house’s new 100,000-square-foot factory is located in the town of Alvarado, about 40 miles outside of Dallas. The new production center will employ local residents, who will be paid an hourly wage of $13 USD to produce the brand’s signature leather and canvas bags. The “Made in USA” bags will be sold for upwards of $1,200 USD.
The Texas factory represents a departure from the French fashion house’s usual production method. Traditionally, Louis Vuitton has employed artisans known as “petites mains” to handcraft its bags in France. But the brand has had to increase production in order to meet demand, and currently operates 12 of its 30 manufacturing centers outside of France. Louis Vuitton first opened training centers in Texas two years ago to recruit new workers. Some Texas workers have already complained of poor working conditions and discrimination against women and Hispanic employees, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Opening the Texas factory not only allows Louis Vuitton to increase its production, but to sidestep any potential trade disputes between the U.S. and Europe, as the Trump administration has placed tariffs on select European goods. LVMH CEO and chairman Bernard Arnault invited President Donald Trump to the ribbon cutting ceremony of the Louis Vuitton factory on Thursday.
The Texas factory currenly uses European leather for its bags, but Louis Vuitton may switch to leather from American cattle in the future. The label may also use the Texas factory to produce other items down the line, such as leather boots.
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