Louis Vuitton Marelle Tote Mm
21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags
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Louis Vuitton for sale on 1stDibs
The story behind iconic luxury brand Louis Vuitton — best known for its esteemed handbags, crossbody bags, leather goods, ready-to-wear clothing and more — is one of craft and innovation in the worlds of fashion, jewelry and furniture.
The company’s modest origins can be traced back to when its founder, Louis Vuitton (1821–92), wishing to free himself from the conventional lifestyle in his provincial French city of Anchay as well as a difficult stepmother, left in the early 1830s to make a new life in Paris. The young Vuitton was 13 at the time and would need to travel on foot to get to the capital, which was hundreds of miles away. With stops along the way to make money so that he could forge ahead, the journey took a couple of years, but reward was close at hand.
When he arrived in Paris, Vuitton made a living with his hands. He toiled as a box maker and packer for more than a decade and built relationships with royals and members of the upper class while working for the empress of France, Eugenie de Montijo. In 1854, Vuitton launched his namesake company. The craftsman opened a humble workshop on rue Neuve des Capucines and advertised his services with a small poster that read: “Securely packs the most fragile objects. Specializing in packing fashions.”
Long before his brand would become known globally for its exemplary top-handle bags and stylish totes, Vuitton produced stackable and rectangular trunks. The most common trunks of the era were round, which weren’t ideal for toting and storing. In 1858, Vuitton debuted his lightweight, handcrafted canvas trunks, which were sturdy, rugged and equipped with convenient compartments. Travel’s popularity broadened in the late 19th century, and Vuitton’s trunks could easily be packed into train cars and ships — upright trunks meant hanging wardrobe storage that would allow his clients to transport their sophisticated garments without worry. Demand increased and the company grew. When Louis Vuitton died in 1892, control of the luxury house was passed onto his only son, Georges Vuitton.
In 1914, a Louis Vuitton store opened at 70 Champs-Élysées. The largest travel-goods store in the world at the time, it became the company’s flagship.
The Louis Vuitton brand embodies all the attributes of luxury, from the craftsmanship, exclusivity and relevance to heritage. It’s only appropriate that it boasts one of the most recognizable insignias — the imaginative interlocking of letters and fleurettes — in the fashion world. The famous LV monogram was first used in 1896 as part of an initiative by Georges to prevent counterfeiting of his coveted new line of travel trunks. It’s one of the earliest examples of fashion branding.
The LV monogram would soon appear on everything from bags and various fashion accessories to alligator-skin champagne cases, from stylish apparel and earrings to teddy bears and airplane models.
On 1stDibs, the unmistakable insignia can be found on both modern and vintage Louis Vuitton shoulder bags, suitcases, original 19th-century trunks, jackets and more.
Finding the Right handbags-purses-bags for You
An integral part of fashion, handbags and purses have been indispensable accessories ever since we began to carry around personal items. Level of craftsmanship, style and shape matters — from coin purses in ancient Greece to early 20th-century opera bags and onward, handbags have evolved considerably over the years to meet our needs and desires, whether or not you happen to be prioritizing functionality over a flashy exterior.
Once, a single “It” handbag ruled each fashion season. No more. Today, lovers of vintage handbags are savvier and have a wider range of shopping options. Nevertheless, classics created by the likes of Louis Vuitton, Dior and Balenciaga still rule.
“It is not a fashion bag — it is a statement bag,” says Mightychic's Debra Kent of Hermès's widely beloved accessories. “When you carry an iconic Hermès bag — Birkin, Kelly, Constance — no one knows how long you have been into this culture or if you are a newbie. Your status is validated immediately.”
First released in 1997, Fendi's Baguette rose to fame along with Carrie Bradshaw, the Sex and the City character portrayed by Sarah Jessica Parker. Recently, the design has seen such a resurgence in popularity that Fendi has reissued it.
They are part of design history, so owning a handbag has meaning. As New York–based fashion historian Sarah C. Byrd says, “You have made the choice to invest in this piece because you understand the value of it in the past and in the future to come.”
From a 1980s Chanel black leather quilted mini buckle bag to the rare Hermès Birkin 30cm Himalayan with diamond hardware to a range of 19th-century bags, find a rich variety of vintage and designer handbags and purses spanning numerous brands on 1stDibs — seasonal “It” designation no longer needed.
- Can you return Louis Vuitton?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 7, 2024Yes, you typically can return items purchased directly from Louis Vuitton online or in a brand-owned retail store, provided you didn't use or damage them. Normally, Louis Vuitton places a limit on how long you have to return items. Check the information included with the item for specific return policies. You’ll find a large selection of Louis Vuitton on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 7, 2024Louis Vuitton products are made in various countries. The luxury brand’s leather goods collection is crafted in workshops located in France, Spain and the United States. Ready-to-wear pieces, footwear and sunglasses are manufactured in France and Italy, while jewelry collections are produced in France, Italy and Switzerland. Timepieces are created exclusively in the Louis Vuitton watchmaking workshop in Geneva, Switzerland. You’ll find a wide range of Louis Vuitton products from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021The Neverfull MM is one of Louis Vuitton's most popular bags. It is not being discontinued.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 7, 2024Louis Vuitton is available for purchase from its official Louis Vuitton boutiques, a variety of online retailers and at luxury department store chains such as Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and more. When shopping online for Louis Vuitton products, it’s important to choose a reputable seller to ensure your purchase is authentic. On 1stDibs, find a collection of authentic Louis Vuitton goods from some of the world’s top sellers.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022For its return policy, Louis Vuitton offers complimentary returns and exchanges within 30 days. The item needs to be in pristine condition with its original packaging. Shop a collection of vintage and new Louis Vuitton designs from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The date code on Louis Vuitton products refers to the place and date the item was made. Generally, the two letters indicate the location and the four numbers pertain to the date. As of March 2021, date codes have been replaced by microchips. Shop a selection of Louis Vuitton items on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The MM part of a Louis Vuitton bag name stands for Moyen Modéle. This term is French and translates to Medium Model, meaning that the bag is a medium-sized piece. Shop for authentic Louis Vuitton bags of any size on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The Louis Vuitton Neverfull GM measures 15.6’’ long by 12.8’’ high by 7.9’’ wide. It is the largest size of the Neverfull bag model. Shop for the classic Louis Vuitton Neverfull bag from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
- What is Louis Vuitton known for?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Louis Vuitton is renowned for its luxury products, from bags and shoes to scarves and fashion. The brand is famous for durability, exceptionally high-quality materials and its unmistakable logo and patterns. Find a wide range of expertly authenticated Louis Vuitton pieces on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Vachetta is a kind of leather used by Louis Vuitton. It is cowhide leather that has been left untreated, and gains a luxurious patina over time when cared for properly. Browse an assortment of authentic Louis Vuitton products crafted from Vachetta leather on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022While the opinion of the most iconic Louis Vuitton bag is largely contested, one bag has stood the test of time. The Speedy bag, originally made in the 1930s, was designed in response to advances in transportation and was a departure for the fashion house from its usual steamer trunk collection. Shop a variety of vintage and modern Louis Vuitton bags on 1stDibs.
- Who is the owner of Louis Vuitton?6 Answers1stDibs ExpertJanuary 4, 2022Bernard Arnault is the Chairman and CEO of Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy, commonly referred to as LVMH. The luxury empire also includes the fashion houses of Christian Dior, Fendi and Givenchy. Arnault was born in Roubaix, France in 1949 and has been the Chairman and CEO of LVMH since 1989.1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022The French corporation LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton is the owner of Louis Vuitton. Its CEO and Chairman of the Board is Bernard Arnault as of December 2021. LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton is a publicly traded company owned by its shareholders. Find a large collection of Louis Vuitton on 1stDibs.1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Louis Vuitton is owned by the holding company LVMH Moët Hennessy – Louis Vuitton. Since 1989, the chairman has been Bernard Arnault. Find authentic vintage and modern Louis Vuitton pieces from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.1stDibs ExpertMarch 6, 2024Bernard Arnault is the Chairman and CEO of Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy, commonly referred to as LVMH. The luxury empire also includes the fashion houses of Christian Dior, Fendi and Givenchy. Arnault was born in Roubaix, France in 1949 and has been the Chairman and CEO of LVMH since 1989.1stDibs ExpertMarch 6, 2024The French corporation LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton is the owner of Louis Vuitton. Its CEO and Chairman of the Board is Bernard Arnault as of December 2021. LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton is a publicly traded company owned by its shareholders. Find a large collection of Louis Vuitton on 1stDibs.1stDibs ExpertMarch 6, 2024Louis Vuitton is owned by the holding company LVMH Moët Hennessy – Louis Vuitton. Since 1989, the chairman has been Bernard Arnault. Find authentic vintage and modern Louis Vuitton pieces from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Yes, Louis Vuitton handbags are typically cheaper in France. On 1stDibs, however, you can find Louis Vuitton handbags at a range of prices.
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