Louis Vuitton
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.
Average Sold Price |
$2,629 |




21st Century and Contemporary Louis Vuitton
21st Century and Contemporary Louis Vuitton
21st Century and Contemporary Louis Vuitton
21st Century and Contemporary Louis Vuitton
2010s Louis Vuitton
21st Century and Contemporary Louis Vuitton
21st Century and Contemporary Louis Vuitton
2010s Louis Vuitton
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Louis Vuitton fashion for sale on 1stDibs
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022One way to tell if your Louis Vuitton bracelet is real is to look for the date code. If the bracelet was made in the early 1980s or later, it will have a date code. Some bracelets also have a serial number that you can research, but not all have this number. Shop a collection of expertly vetted Louis Vuitton jewelry from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022There are a few ways to determine if your Louis Vuitton umbrella is real. Check the umbrella thoroughly, looking for any stitching or printing errors—an original will be flawless. Fakes have blurred edges on logo stamps and irregular fonts on the words. Any authentic Louis Vuitton umbrella made after 1980 will also feature a date code. Shop a large collection of expertly vetted Louis Vuitton items from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The pronunciation of Louis Vuitton and Louboutin are similar and can be confusing because they are both French names. Louis Vuitton is pronounced LOO-ee (pause) vuh-TAAN, while Louboutin is pronounced LOO-buh-TAAN. Find an assortment of both Louboutin and Louis Vuitton products from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To help your Louis Vuitton achieve an even patina, it is important to minimize its contact with oils and other compounds. Storing your Louis Vuitton in its dust bag and using a wax-free leather conditioner will help the patina to even out. You’ll find a variety of Louis Vuitton handbags on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022While there are no Louis Vuitton retail stores in Raleigh, North Carolina, there is a store location in nearby Charlotte. Save the trip and shop a variety of Louis Vuitton products from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.