Why Is Louis Vuitton So Expensive? The 6 Key Reasons To Know
Louis Vuitton is one of the top luxury brands in the world, but why is Louis Vuitton so expensive? Find out everything you need to know here!
Louis Vuitton’s handbags, ready-to-wear clothing, and accessories are some of the most in-demand luxury goods in the world, and they were named the most valuable luxury brand in the world between the years 2006 and 2012.
The Louis Vuitton bags, in particular, are iconic and instantly recognizable, and you may have noticed they have pretty high price tags. In this article, we are going to answer the question, of why is Louis Vuitton so expensive, so you can understand exactly what you are paying for when you buy any clothing, jewelry, or shoes from Louis Vuitton.
We will delve into the history, craftsmanship, and reputation of this brand, as well as many other key areas in order to understand why these luxury items have high price tags. We have also included a few must-have Louis Vuitton items you need on your wish list, that will never go out of style and are definitely worth the high price!
Why is Louis Vuitton so expensive?
There are many different important aspects that have an effect on the price of Louis Vuitton luxury goods, so we are going to break them down so you know the key details before making any Louis Vuitton purchases.
1. The History of the Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton has a long and rich heritage, and this incredible history can have an effect on the price and the product itself since Louis Vuitton has been making and perfecting some of these pieces for decades. Let’s look at the history of this French fashion house that you are paying for when you buy any item from Louis Vuitton.
This luxury French brand is the second oldest luxury brand that is still operating today, founded Louis Vuitton in 1854, after he worked as an apprentice for a trunk maker in Paris. Vuitton first found success when he created flat top trunks made from waterproof canvas – these were revolutionary since they could be stacked during long journeys.
This success allowed Louis Vuitton to expand his business and in 1867, the brand was featured at the Universal Exhibition in Paris, and then in 1885, Louis Vuitton its first in London on the famous Oxford Street.
1896 saw the launch of the now-iconic Monogram Canvas. The graphic symbols on the canvas include the LV monogram, quatrefoils, and flowers and were based on the Japanese Mon designs of the late Victorian period. Still to this day, this Monogram Canvas covers many LV bags and other luxury accessories.
At first, Louis Vuitton just made trunks, then in the 1930s they expanded into luggage and bags, and then women’s handbags. The Keepall bag was introduced to the brand in 1930, then Noé bucket bag was added in 1932 and soon after the Speedy bag – all of these are still popular Louis Vuitton bags today.
It wasn’t until 1997 that the Louis Vuitton brand started a ready-to-wear collection when they appointed Marc Jacobs as creative director, for both men’s and women’s collections. Jacobs ensure LV was at the forefront of luxury fashion, creating incredible collections year after year and stunning designer bags.
In 2011, Kim Jones takes over the menswear collections from Marc Jacobs, a role which Virgil Abloh takes on in 2018, then in 2023 Pharrell Williams became the menswear creative director.
In 2013, Marc Jacobs steps down and the role of creative director is given to Nicholas Ghesquière, who has since created beautiful collections that helped to ensure Louis Vuitton is one of the most famous brands in the world.
2. Materials
Louis Vuitton clothing, bags, and leather goods are each crafted from high-quality materials that have a luxurious feel and are intended to really stand the test of time.
The main material used in Louis Vuitton bags is a coated canvas that is decorated in a range of patterns and prints, including the LV monogram and the Damier Ebene check print. This coated canvas is durable, waterproof, and will not scratch or scuff easily, making it ideal for a bag you plan on wearing every day, but it is not the most luxurious fabric.
You will also find bags made from epi leather, vernis leather, Empreinte leather, lockme leather, vachetta leather, and Mahina – these are calfskin leather with a different finish to create a different look or feel. This calfskin leather has been expertly sourced and finished to create a stunning look and premium feel each and every time.
The clothing from Louis Vuitton is made from a range of expensive materials too, including cotton, viscose, polyamide, polyester, mohair, silk, wool, and lamb leather. Most items are made from natural fibers, such as cotton, silk, and wool for a soft and breathable feel. While there are a few jackets and t-shirts crafted from synthetic premium materials like viscose and polyamide to create a certain finish or stretch to the item.
3. Craftsmanship
The craftsmanship of Louis Vuitton bags is incredible, to ensure a top-quality and long-lasting finish. The luxury handbags from Louis Vuitton are made in France, Italy, Spain, or the United States by expert craftsmen and skilled artisans to ensure a luxury finish every time.
You will often find the jewelry and watches from this luxury brand are made in Germany and Switzerland, while Italy is the production location for much of the ready-to-wear and footwear collections. This high-quality craftsmanship means that lots of time and effort goes into producing each Louis Vuitton product, which costs a lot and in turn, raises the price of these luxury products.
So the high price tags that you find on Louis Vuitton can reflect the high-quality craftsmanship that goes into any Louis Vuitton piece.
4. Brand Reputation
The expensive prices for Louis Vuitton luxury goods mean that fewer people are buying the items which gives the brand an exclusive reputation that is only available to wealthy customers. All luxury brands, including Louis Vuitton, want to have an element of exclusivity since lots and lots of people wearing Louis Vuitton pieces would make the brand a little less luxurious.
To achieve this exclusivity, Louis Vuitton puts hefty price tags on their leather goods, handbags, and ready-to-wear clothes so fewer people have the money to buy these items. This exclusivity gives Louis Vuitton a strong brand reputation all over the world, best known for luxurious and super stylish goods, which only makes the brand even more in demand.
The instantly recognizable monogram canvas and Damier ebene canvas also mean it is easy to identify Louis Vuitton pieces, that are now status symbols, and the wearers are imbued with a fashionable and wealthy status.
To keep up this exclusivity, and brand reputation and make sure their pieces continue to be status symbols, Louis Vuitton keeps all of their products at a high price point.
5. Limited Edition collaborations
Louis Vuitton is well known for their incredible, limited-edition collaborations which are even more expensive than the regular Louis Vuitton handbags and clothes. Over the years, these collaborations have included Yayoi Kusama, Stephen Sprouse, Takashi Murakami, Jeff Koons, and Richard Prince.
Since these collaborations are only made in limited numbers and are likely to be never produced again, they are in high demand. Because of this high demand, Louis Vuitton is able to put a high price tag on these pieces as they know customers will pay this price to get their hands on a stunning, limited-edition piece.
The rarity and limited numbers of these collaboration pieces are why they have a high price tag than any other Louis Vuitton pieces.
6. Celebrities
There are countless celebrities that have been seen with Louis Vuitton bags or have worn Louis Vuitton clothes over the years, including Rihanna, Kim Kardashian, Zendaya, Emma Stone, Selena Gomez, and Naomi Campbell.
This association with high-profile celebrities and famous faces makes Louis Vuitton even more in-demand and desirable as fans or fashion enthusiasts will want to wear a brand that their favorite celebrity has been spotted in. The desirability and high status that comes with celebrities wearing a Louis Vuitton piece means the brand can charge a high price for their clothes and accessories since customers will be willing to pay these expensive prices.
Louis Vuitton Bags and Accessories Worth the Price tag
There are so many gorgeous pieces available from Louis Vuitton, so we have brought together some of our favorites that are definitely worth the high price tag!
It is also worth taking a look at Louis Vuitton pieces on the secondhand market – because of the durable canvas, Louis Vuitton bags can really stand the test of time. You can then find some stunning, excellent-quality Louis Vuitton handbags on the resale market that are not quite as expensive as a new Louis Vuitton bag.
1. Shoulder bags
We love the chic and sophisticated look of this Louis Vuitton Taurillon Capucines Bag, which would make the perfect everyday handbag. This bag is crafted from luxe black taurillon leather, finished with a pink leather lining, and then fitted with a leather top handle and a detachable shoulder strap. The interior is the perfect size for all your daily essentials and there is a zipper pocket to help you stay organised!
The Louis Vuitton Speedy is an iconic bag that any bag enthusiast needs in their life. This Speedy is made from Empreinte leather, which has been embossed with the Louis Vuitton monogram and finished with rolled leather top handles and a shoulder strap – meaning you can style this bag in many different ways!
2. Tote Bags
The Louis Vuitton Neverfull is a best-selling bag for this French fashion house, beloved because of its practicality and effortlessly stylish look. This edition of the Neverfull tote is crafted from dark brown Damier ebene canvas, and trimmed with dark brown leather. Inside this bag, you will find a pink lining and a handy zipper pocket.
If you are looking for a tote bag for work, then this Louis Vuitton Monogram Reverse Giant OnTheGo Tote is perfect for you! This bag has a structured silhouette, made from coated canvas decorated with a giant monogram print on one side and the reverse monogram print on the other – so gorgeous! The top handle, shoulder straps, and three interior pockets ensure a practical finish.
3. Accessories
The eye-catching design and practical interior of this Louis Vuitton Empreinte Monogram Zippy Wallet make it a must-have in your handbag. The leather wallet has been embossed with the LV monogram in shades of pink, while the zipper opens to reveal plenty of card slots, patch pockets, and a zipper compartment.
This stunning Louis Vuitton Monogram LV Initiales Belt is a great way to add a little luxury to any outfit. The belt itself is decorated with the LV monogram print, while the buckle is a gleaming gold LV logo for a glamorous finish.
We hope you found this article answering the question, why Louis Vuitton is so expensive, helpful!
Up next: MCM vs Louis Vuitton: Which Logo-Print Bags Are Better?
