Louis Vuitton, also known as LV, is a brand that’s recognised for its handbags and wearable accessories – all finished with the iconic monogram and logo which has been as much a symbol of class and elegance as it has of wealth.
Although not a core part of the brand’s history, it is worth noting that Louis Vuitton is one half of the LVMH powerhouse company which is headquartered in Paris, and which now owns and controls the operations of many of the world’s biggest luxury brand and products. This conglomerate was formed with Louis Vuitton merged with Moet Hennessey, hence the LVMH title.
But aside from its modern status as a world leader in all things luxury, Louis Vuitton remains one of the most coveted luxury brands in terms of its own products, handbags, purses, and perfumes – with this short guide telling you everything you need to know before deciding to invest in a Louis Vuitton product.
The history behind Louis Vuitton
As we so often find in the history of major luxury brands, Louis Vuitton did not start out life as a coveted and highly luxurious label – in fact, upon its conception in 1854, LV was first and foremost a custom box-making and packing workshop label. The name came from the founder himself, while his connections with French royalty allowed him to quickly rise up the ranks and become the personal box-maker of Empress Eugenie de Montijo – the wife of Napoleon III.
Crucially, it’s important to recognise that Vuitton himself was motivated by the desire to give his children and grandchildren something to pass on themselves. He wanted to build a legacy.
The 1900s brought a period of great development which saw LV expand to sell perfumes and other bags, adding many of today’s most investable collections and bag designs to their repertoire. And it’s these bags which we’re going to focus on as part of your guide to investing in Louis Vuitton.
The best bags to invest in
The following bags are some of Louis Vuitton’s most iconic before we close the guide out with a shocking fact about the Louis Vuitton brand and its products.
LV Alma BB Damier Ebene
Characterised by the Damier pattern, this bag includes the iconic design that was wholly inspired by a chessboard – with its mismatch of light and dark squares, created by a brown overlay complete with tiny brown spots for a textured and aesthetically pleasing finish.
A simple and structured bag with a rounded top and small handles, this bag boasts all the hallmarks of a classic LV handbag – with the material particularly prominent as it was originally designed by Vuitton himself so as not to be easily copied and replicated. Used as the design and pattern to help LV stand out from the luxury market, the Damier pattern was first designed in 1889 and then discontinued before being reintroduced in the late 1990s. In this particular bag, gold hardware and shiny brown leather add to the opulent look and the functional finish of the bag.
LV Pochette Metis Monogram
A good-sized bag structure complete with a shoulder strap and three different storage compartments, this is very much a bag for on the go. As was the case with the LV Alma BB Damier Ebene mentioned in the previous section, this bag takes its iconic status from the material and the pattern – with this particular product boasting the iconic LV monogram print, gold hardware, and practical shape.
The LV monogram print followed the original Damier and was introduced in 1896 by Vuitton’s son, as a pattern that would pay homage and tribute to the founder Louis Vuitton who had recently passed. It is worth noting, particularly for investment buyers, that the Monogram print has never gone out of fashion and has never sunk in terms of popularity or demand.
LV Alma BB Black Epi
Moving onto an embossed material which boasts a straightforward embossed LV logo and a fully black colour palette, this bag is resistant to wear and tear, is completely waterproof, and is crafted from perhaps LV’s most durable leather in its entire collection.
Despite being wholly practical in design and build, this bag is very stylish and timeless in its aesthetic.
LV Wynwood Vernis
Vernis is a patent material which gives the bag a plastic-look aesthetic finish – as well as boasting all the benefits of a durable plastic finish. Fully waterproof, it is worth noting that over time this bag can crack and become sticky – however, the vibrant colour and patterning make this a standout investment for buyers from all walks of life.
A fact about Louis Vuitton handbags
Finally, to the fact, we promised you – and it’s a good one!
While many luxury handbag brands use leather exclusively in the design and creation of their products, of the bags mentioned in this blog, only half of them are made using leather. Vernis and Epi are both leather-based bags, while the Monogram and Damier print bags are both made and finished in canvas materials (with detailed leather trims).
This means that the latter does not fall into the leather goods category but is instead canvas bags.
Is Louis Vuitton a worthwhile investment?
With so many bags, designs, and finishes now available on the modern market, it follows that Louis Vuitton has a bag for every buyer. Changing markets and shifting demands mean that trends can often dictate which bags sell best amid certain buyer landscapes, however, the coveted status of the iconic Damier and Monogram bags in particular has never waned.
A newer product on the market but one with just as much demand (if not more), is the Empreinte Giant Monogram – boasting the monogram print but juxtaposing colours with much larger symbols for a standout look.
Whatever your ideal LV bag, make sure you source it from a reputable company like Love Luxury, which will provide you with all the right authenticity information and verification checks to protect your investment.
