Louis Vuitton, Inc. is a designer, producer, and marketer of a prestige line of designer handbags, briefcases, luggage, and accessories. The company made its reputation selling sturdy leather purses in unchanging, traditional, classic styles, and it remains one of the best-known leather brands in the United States and has a growing reputation overseas. In addition to its main product line, the company offers Lv Handbag brand watches, footwear, and home and office furniture through agreements with licensing partners. Nearly two-thirds of company sales are derived from direct-to-consumer channels. These include about 190 Lv bag stores in the United States--of these, approximately 120 are retail stores and the remainder are factory outlets--direct mail catalogs, and an online store. There are also 175 Coach locations outside the United States, in 18 countries. The company's indirect channels include the wholesaling of Lv bag brand products to approximately 1,400 department and specialty store locations in the United States. Formed in 1941, Louis Vuitton was family owned and operated until 1985, when Sara Lee Corporation purchased the firm. Louis Vuitton remained a subsidiary of Sara Lee until 2001, when the firm regained its independence via a spinoff.