Louis Vuitton Vs Dior: Which French Brand Is Right For You?
Louis Vuitton and Dior are two major names in the world of fashion, but which brand is better for you? Find out in this Louis Vuitton vs Dior article!
These two French luxury fashion labels are well known for their incredible men’s and womenswear collections that are always highlights of Paris Fashion Week. Both Louis Vuitton and Dior have a wide range of iconic fashion accessories, including beloved handbags that you really need in your designer bag collection.
As two of the top luxury fashion houses, on the surface, it seems that there are many similarities between these valuable luxury brands, making it difficult to work out which brand is right for you. But if you delve a little deeper, you can see that there are significant differences between Louis Vuitton and Dior that will help us to determine which brand is better for you.
This article will take a look at the history of each brand, the key differences between Louis Vuitton and Dior, and take a look at some best-selling bags from each brand before coming to a conclusion on Louis Vuitton vs Dior.
Louis Vuitton vs Dior
The history of Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton was initially a trunk-making company founded in 1854 before it became the major French fashion house that it is today. Louis Vuitton had worked as an apprentice for a famous Parisian trunk maker before he founded his namesake brand, creating trunks beloved by wealthy people all over Europe. Louis Vuitton trunks proved very popular because of their flat tops, meaning they could be stacked during transit.
A major change came in the 1930s when luxury bags were added to the collection. In 1930, the Keepall was launched, in 1932, the Noé bag was added, then soon after, the world-famous Speedy bag became the latest bag in the Louis Vuitton collections of luxury products.
Louis Vuitton continued to produce only leather goods, luggage and handbags until 1997, when the first ready-to-wear collection was shown during Paris Fashion Week. Marc Jacobs was the creative director for both the men’s and women’s collections at the time and ensured Louis Vuitton was at the forefront of high fashion.
Louis Vuitton has also been at the cutting edge of fashion and art by collaborating with top artists to create wildly popular, limited edition collections. Jeff Koons, Yayoi Kusama, Grace Coddington, and Takashi Murakami have all collaborated with the designer brand, and new collaborations are always taking place.
In 2011, Kim Jones became menswear creative director, then in 2013, Nicolas Ghesquière came in to replace Marc Jacobs. Kim Jones stepped down, and Virgil Abloh was named artistic director of menswear.
Now, Louis Vuitton is one of the most valuable brands in the world and continues to be one of the top brands in the fashion industry.
The history of Dior
The luxurious fashion brand, Dior, was founded by fashion designer Christian Dior in 1946 and has since become one of the favorite luxury brands for beautiful ready-to-wear and haute couture collections. The incredible design prowess of Christian Dior was shown from his very first collection, where he established the ‘New Look’.
The ‘New Look’ silhouette of a full skirt and tiny waist is now synonymous with the 50s as it inspired fashion designers all over the world. After 10 years as the head of his eponymous luxury label, Christian Dior suffered a heart attack, and his 21-year-old design assistant, Yves Saint Laurent, was promoted to creative director.
The first collections by Yves Saint Laurent were a hit, but his 1960 Bohemian collection was not popular with the traditional, older Dior customers, and Marc Bohan came in to replace Yves Saint Laurent as the creative director.
Bohan’s collections were popular with the rich European women of the 1960s and 70s, then in 1970 the Dior Homme collection was launched, creating high-class menswear collections. The Dior Haute Couture collection was as popular as ever, with Princess Grace of Monaco and Princess Diana as customers.
In 1989, Gianfranco Ferré became the new Dior creative director, introducing a stricter look; then in 1997, British designer John Galliano became the creative director and brought new, fresh energy to the brand, shocking the entire world with his attention-grabbing collections and extravagant runway shows.
After Galliano came Raf Simons, before Maria Grazia Churi was announced as the new creative director in 2016 as the first woman creative director at the house of Dior, continuing to create striking, memorable ready-to-wear and haute couture collections as well as stunning accessories.
The differences between Louis Vuitton Vs Dior
Interestingly, both Dior and Louis Vuitton now belong to the famous fashion conglomerate, LVMH, owned by Bernard Arnaud.
While you may think that having the same parent company would play a significant role in the brands’ designs, there are still significant differences between Louis Vuitton and Dior, all the way from how the brands are run, to designs and audience demographics.
1. Price range
First, we are going to consider the price ranges of the bags from each of these fashion companies. Louis Vuitton handbags range from $1,100 to about $6,000, with the price point depending on the size and fabric of the bag.
Dior bags, on the other hand, are available for between $1,400 and $8,000. This shows how Dior bags are slightly more expensive than Louis Vuitton bags, but there isn’t too much difference in it.
However, it is worth noting that each brand has price increases each year, so it is best to get a luxury bag from Louis Vuitton or Dior sooner rather than later!
2. Popularity & Audience Demographic
The audience demographic between the brands is relatively different. Louis Vuitton is the more popular brand of the two and appeals to people of all ages. However, when compared to Dior, broadly speaking, it appeals more to a younger crowd.
The brand is well aware of this and often collaborates with celebrities who are particularly popular among Gen Z shoppers, such as K-pop band Black Pink and influencer Emma Chamberlain.
The brand’s signature monogram canvas prints are especially popular among younger consumers, thanks to the more affordable price point and instantly recognizable nature of the products. When it comes to men’s wear, Louis Vuitton also takes the lead, thanks to its popularity among streetwear enthusiasts.
On the contrary, Dior’s designs have traditionally appealed to a slightly older audience, as its designs have been a little more understated and price points slightly higher than LV. However, in the last few years, Dior has placed a heavy emphasis on monogram prints and designed bags and shoes with instantly recognizable logos, such as the popular Book Tote.
Thanks to this, Dior’s designs are now increasingly popular among a younger demographic as well, however, the higher prices still mean that the typical customer is at least a young working professional.
3. Materials
The materials used by each of these brands differ greatly and may affect which brand you choose. Louis Vuitton often crafts their bags from coated canvas, either with the LV monogram or Damier ebene patterns to create a striking yet durable bag. There are also bags made from cowhide leather, in the form of epi leather, leather Vernis or taurillon leather, but these are a little more pricey.
Dior mostly uses high-quality leather to create the handbags, making use of lambskin leather or calfskin leather, with either a smooth or textured finish – this means their bags have a really luxurious look and feel. There are also Dior handbags made from canvas, wicker, raffia, and satin available, so you get a wide range of options.
4. Resale value
You may also be wondering how well Louis Vuitton vs Dior bags retain their value, so we are going to look at the resale value. Louis Vuitton bags hold their value well because they produce such classic bags that many people love plus the coated canvas used to produce some bags is pretty hardwearing, so it doesn’t look scuffed or scratched, even after years of use.
Thanks to Louis Vuitton’s frequent price increases, it’s not unusual to be able to sell a bag second-hand for the same price that you paid for it, or even for profit. Many classic Louis Vuitton bags are famous for retaining their value, as they will always be produced by the brand, so if you are looking for an investment bag, it’s best to consider the most popular styles, such as the Pochette Metis, Neverfull or Onthego, and Speedy.
On the other hand, while Dior bags retain their value well, they are not known to be the best investment bags. You may be able to get your money back when you sell your Dior bag on the secondhand market, but it’s not typical that you’d be making much of a profit unless you wait a significant number of years and the bag style is still popular.
Part of the reasoning could be that Louis Vuitton bags are, on average, much more in demand than Dior bags, so they are easier to sell on the second-hand market. Also, the recent releases from Dior, especially the Saddle bag and the Book Tote, have been particularly trendy, so we will have to wait and see how well they fair on the secondhand market.
Best-selling bags from Louis Vuitton Vs Dior
There are so many gorgeous Louis Vuitton and Dior bags to choose from, but we have picked a few of the best-sellers to narrow down the choice!
1. Shoulder Bags
The plush, sumptuous exterior of this Louis Vuitton Embossed Monogram Coussin shoulder bag makes it totally irresistible. The bag is crafted from dusty blue lambskin leather that has been embossed with the famous Louis Vuitton monogram.
This shoulder bag is super versatile with the sparkling silver chain shoulder strap and adjustable canvas crossbody, both of which are detachable so you can adapt the bag to suit you.
The Saddle Bag is an instantly recognizable Dior bag that has earned its name as a cult classic. The saddle bag-inspired silhouette is so striking, especially with the gold D charm on the front of the bag, and the CD logo that joins the shoulder strap to the body of the bag.
This bag is now available in a wide range of materials and colors so you can pick the option that best suits you – we love the neutral tone of this dark beige grained calfskin leather.
2. tote bags
The Louis Vuitton Neverfull is a classic bag that will really stand the test of time with its practical design and timeless aesthetic.
The Neverfull is available in different materials and leather, but this edition is crafted from the famous LV monogram coated canvas and trimmed with vachetta cowhide leather. The bag has flawless finishing touches, including the gold hardware, cinching side cords, and a zipper pocket that keeps your phone and wallet easy to find in this spacious tote bag.
The Dior Book Tote is a more recent addition to the Dior bag collection, but it has quickly come a beloved favorite that has been seen in the arms of countless fashion influencers.
The bag is so popular that it is now available in a range of different colors and patterns, but we just love the original navy and beige Dior oblique option. The Christian Dior name is woven across the center of the bag, while the roomy interior makes this bag perfect busy weekdays or the weekend – plus it would make a fantastic beach bag!
3. Bucket bags
The Neonoe is a historic Louis Vuitton bag that was first launched in the 1930s as a way to carry champagne, but soon became used as a handbag and has remained a key part of the Louis Vuitton brand ever since.
Crafted from LV monogram coated canvas, the bag features a pale pink leather shoulder strap and drawstring straps, finished off with polished brass hardware. The interior has a luxe Alcantara lining and is fitted with a slip pocket and a removable zip pouch.
Small and mini bags are so trendy right now, and the Small Dior Vibe Bucket Bag is a super stylish option. The bag has a structured white leather exterior, embossed with the Christian Dior name in navy, and then a drawstring bag sits inside the leather cylinder.
This bucket bag comes with a white leather top handle and a navy leather shoulder strap, both of which are detachable so you can style this bag in a whole variety of different ways.
4. Top Handle bags
The Alma handbag is another very popular LV bag, with its bold curved silhouette and rolled leather top handles. This edition of the Alma is crafted from glossy red patent leather, which has been embossed with the LV monogram.
The high shine finish of this bag gives it a striking, glamorous look – the perfect piece to add a pop of color to your outfit. The detachable shoulder strap, spacious interior, and internal patch pocket make this top handle bag super practical.
The Lady Dior is another iconic Dior bag that has been a part of the Dior collection for decades. Over time, it has been made in different fabrics, colors, and patterns, but the blush pink shade of lambskin leather is a timelessly classic option.
The bag features chunky leather top handles and Cannage stitching to form a geometric pattern – the glittering gold hardware of the Dior logo charm adds a luxe touch.
Conclusion
These two brands are similar in many ways, but the differences in resale value and materials are going to help determine whether Louis Vuitton or Dior is right for you.
If you are looking for a stunning, durable luxury bag with great resale value that you can use every day for years to come, then a Louis Vuitton bag is right for you! There are lots of incredible shapes, styles, and sizes available, so you are bound to find one you love. Plus, they are hardwearing, so you can wear them every day without worrying about scratches.
If you are looking for a bag that is a little more luxurious, or you simply are not a fan of Louis Vuitton, then Dior is the obvious brand to go for. There are many beautiful handbags available from Dior, in sumptuous, luxe leather that always look so chic and sophisticated.
We hope you found this article analyzing Louis Vuitton vs Dior helpful! For more luxury fashion content, check out the links below.
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