Although the brand with its current name was founded in 1853, the firm was active since 1792 under the name of Maison Martin, from the name of the original establisher Pierre-François Martin. As one of the first ads specified.

Born in Anchay, eastern France, in a family of farmers, the young Louis decided, when he was only thirteen, to travel to Paris on foot. In 1836 he found a job in the French capital as an apprentice to a layetier, a craftsman employed by wealthy people to pack their objects and clothes for travelling.