How many of the world’s leading luxury brands can you pronounce correctly?
Following up on our post on car brand name pronunciation, we’ve compiled a list of luxury brand names.
Dominated by French or Italian words, luxury brands are often said incorrectly by English speakers. Some of the brand’s ambassadors and distributors even struggle to say the name correctly. No wonder most of us get it wrong!
In a recent interview with Vogue, Donatella Versace expressed her frustration at how Versace is pronounced. Donatella says it is not ‘Ver-sach-ee’ it is ‘Ver-sarch-eh’.
Hear how Donatella pronounces Versace in the video below (skip to 4:49).
So let’s break down the mystique and elitism around ‘knowing’ the brand with a clear guide on how to pronounce some of the world’s leading luxury brands.
With this handy guide, you confidently say the name, even if you can’t afford to buy the product!
Luxury brand names and their pronunciation (A-Z)
| Brand Name | Correct Pronunciation | Incorrect |
|---|---|---|
| Balenciaga | Ba-len-cee-ah-ga | Bal-ence-i-ga |
| Balmain | Bal-mah | Bal-main |
| Benetton | Beni-ton | Ben-e-ton |
| Burberry | Beh-beh-ry | Bur-berry |
| Cartier | Kahr-ti-ay | kahr-ti-her |
| Chanel | Shah-nel | Shan-elle or Chan-l |
| Chopard | Shop-arr | Sho-pard |
| Christian Dior | Kris-tyah dyohr | Chris-chun Dee-or |
| Christian Louboutin | Kris-tyah loo-boo-tan | Chris-chun Loo-boo-tin |
| Dolce & Gabbana | DOL-chay eh ga-BAN-eh | DOL-say and Gab-anna |
| Ermenegildo Zegna | Er-men-a-geel-do zane-ya | Ermeni-gildo Zeg-na |
| Versace | Ver-sarch-eh | Ver-sach-ee |
| Giorgio Armani | Zhaw-jo Arr-mani | Jawrj-io Ar-marni |
| Givenchy | Zhee-von-she | Gah-vin-chee |
| Gucci | Gu-chi | Goo-cheee |
| Hermès | Er-mes | Her-meez or Her-mez |
| Jean Paul Gaultier | Zhon Paul Go-tee-ay | Jeen Paul Gol-tee-er |
| Louis Vuitton | Loo-EE Vwee-ton | Loo-is Vit-on |
| Miu Miu | Mew-mew | Mee-oo mee-oo |
| Moschino | Moss-key-no | Moss-chee-no or Mosh-ino |
| Ralph Lauren | Ralf Lor-in | Ralf Law-ren |
| Tag Heuer | Tag hoy-ah | Tag hew-air/hee-wwer/hew-er |
| Versace | Ver-sarch-eh | Ver-sach-ee |
| Yves Saint Laurent | Eve San Lo-rah | Eeves Saint Lo-rent |
This list has been compiled from various sources, including representatives from the brands. In some cases, there are conflicting sources and we have opted for what is most commonly accepted.
If want to challenge any of the pronunciations, or suggest some more brands that are incorrectly pronounced, please contact us or leave a comment below and we’d be happy to update this list.
Want more? Check out how to pronounce Famous everyday brand names, Car brand names, and Alcohol brand names.
Michael Hughes
Michael is Managing Partner and Strategy Director at Truly Deeply. His deep expertise is in unlocking the strategic power of your brand to create a differentiated, compelling and authentic brand proposition that will engage all your audiences and drive your business growth. Michael has extensive experience working with leading Australian and International organisations across just about every sector.