1792–1853
Before the Goyard name
The house traces its origins to Maison Martin, founded in 1792, and its successor Morel. François Goyard took over the business, which adopted his name in 1853.
The House & Its Designers
Goyard
Paris · 1853; roots in 1792
Trunk-making heritage, recognised through a patterned canvas.
Goyard’s history begins with packing and travel. Its chevron-patterned canvas connects fitted trunks, personalised luggage and lightweight bags without relying on seasonal changes in creative leadership.
19 photographs · Reviewed August 2026
Explore the history ↓
01 / The house
The story behind the name.
1892
Goyardine
Edmond Goyard introduced the dotted canvas pattern. Its interlocking chevrons form a Y and refer to the family’s history in timber transport.
1998
A new owner
Jean-Michel Signoles acquired the business after generations of Goyard family ownership. The house continued its focus on trunks, leather goods and personalisation.
The bags
Travel made lighter
The Saint Louis tote distils the canvas into a soft, simple form. Other designs use more structure, closures and compartments while retaining the same visual signature.
02 / The designers
The people who shaped the house.
Selected creative chapters; dates distinguish appointments from runway debuts.
Founder of the Goyard name
François Goyard
Continued an existing Paris trunk-making business in 1853.
Led the house from 1885
Edmond Goyard
Developed Goyardine and expanded the house’s reach.
Trunks and leather goods
The Goyard ateliers
Carry forward the house’s emphasis on construction and personalisation.
03 / The bags
A vocabulary in leather and form.
A selection of the house’s designs. Resale photographs illustrate individual examples; size, finish and condition vary.
01
Saint Louis Tote
A lightweight, unlined Goyardine canvas tote with slim leather handles.
02
Artois
A zipped tote with reinforced corners and Goyardine canvas panels.
03
Belvédère
A rounded flap crossbody bag with leather trim and buckle details.
04
Saigon
A structured top-handle bag whose wood and leather details recall trunk-making.
05
Plumet
A small flap pouch with a long, narrow strap.
06
Bohème Hobo
A soft Goyardine shoulder bag with a broad strap.
07
Croisière
A structured travel-bag silhouette with leather handles and trim.
08
Hardy
A structured carrier with roots in the house’s pet-travel accessories.
09
Vendôme Mini
A small structured top-handle bag with a rounded zip opening.
More designs to know
- Anjou
- A reversible tote that pairs patterned Goyardine with a leather side.
- Jouvence
- A zip-top wash bag in Goyardine canvas.
- Voltaire
- A tall, open tote with long leather handles.
- Marquises
- A structured zip-top tote in patterned Goyardine canvas.
- Trunk
- Rigid luggage that connects the house’s leather goods to its trunk-making origins.