When you think of Louis Vuitton, what comes to mind?
If you answered Monogram Canvas or perhaps one of the brand’s popular Monogram bags like the Speedy or the Neverfull, you’re not alone. For most luxury consumers, Louis Vuitton is known first for its cornerstone Monogram Canvas bags.
You know the ones, the ubiquitous shapes that have been around for decades and are an integral part of fashion history, worn by some of the greatest fashion icons of our time. While purchasing one of these styles comes with the security that your bag will always remain in style, Louis Vuitton’s offerings span well beyond.
In the last decade since Nicolas Ghesquière joined the Maison, a new cohort of classics has emerged. Standing alongside the Masion’s most timeless silhouettes, these classics have already proven to stand the test of time, and today, we’re diving into the 4 new cornerstone bags every Louis Vuitton lover needs to know.
Louis Vuitton Capucines
The only bag on this list that pre-dates the Ghesquière-era is the ever-popular Louis Vuitton Capucines bag. First introduced in late 2013, the Capucines is one of the most, if not the most popular, leather bags from the Maison.
The bag’s release came during a time of change for the heritage trunk-maker. It was launched as the brand shifted its collections to include a greater selection of cleaner, minimally branded designs versus the monogram and logo-focused bags it is most known for.
The Capucines’s debut elicited sticker shock to some, as the bags boasted some of the highest price points the brand’s bags had ever seen. Today, the Capucines, which takes its name from rue Neuve-des-Capucines, a homage to Louis Vuitton’s first store, which opened in 1854, remains an integral part of the Maison.
Over ten years since making its debut, the bag has been reinvented season after season, appearing in new sizes, colors, exotics, and more. It is the epitome of timeless elegance.
Louis Vuitton Petite Malle
Louis Vuitton’s Petite Malle, or little trunk, as it translates to, will forever be synonymous with Nicolas Ghesquière. The bag debuted in the Fall of 2014, marking the designer’s first collection for Louis Vuitton.
This little trunk marked a big step for Louis Vuitton, and in a way, it would foreshadow Ghesquière’s Vuitton, which is archival and classic. Like many of his bags, the Petite Malle pays tribute to Louis Vuitton’s heritage in trunk making and its attention to quality and craft.
The Petite Malle can require up to 200 different steps depending on the bag’s specifics. One of the major complexities lies in the fact that the Petite Malle is an identical miniature version of the classic. Though the bag is tiny, each one is given the utmost attention and care—exactly how the brand’s historic trunks were crafted back in its early days.
Louis Vuitton Dauphine
For the Cruise 2019 season, Louis Vuitton debuted the Dauphine bag, which was one of Ghesquière’s big Monogram pushes. A Monogram shoulder bag with dark leather trim offers the appeal of a vintage piece, said to be inspired by a 1976 model from the Maison.
The Dauphine modernized Monogram, giving it new life while still lending a timeless appeal. Monogram for the cool girls, if you will. Quickly, it became a staple for the Maison, a quintessential representation of Ghesquière’s ability to embrace heritage codes in a contemporary way.
The Dauphine continually sees reinvention, most recently popping up on the runway in a soft, relaxed version perfect for every day but still offering the elegance of the original.
Louis Vuitton Twist
For Cruise 2015, a brand new leather bag hit the scene, defined by its unique (and totally functional) bold LV Twist lock. Seamlessly combining clean lines and a classic silhouette, the bag remains a versatile choice thanks to its interchangeable chain strap and modern updates.
The original design was created by creative director Nicolas Ghesquière, who reinterpreted a clutch from the house’s archives, the Epi Trapeze, renewing interest in the durable, classic material at the same time.
The shape has quickly become one of Louis Vuitton’s most emblematic designs, remaining an integral part of the House’s leather line-up. Each season, the Twist sees the addition of fun details and novelty add-ons, as well as stylistic updates that modernize the shape.
