Louis Vuitton is an undeniably iconic name in the world of luxury handbags. Well known for their blend of high-quality craftsmanship and enduring style, Louis Vuitton handbags are desirable statement pieces, but which design is the most iconic?
Louis Vuitton has released a variety of iconic bags over its extensive history, though arguably the most iconic bag is the Louis Vuitton Speedy. The Speedy was the first handbag created by Louis Vuitton and since its launch in 1930 it remains a timeless and highly popular piece to this day.
While the Speedy is an undeniable icon, the French fashion house has created many other highly popular bag designs that are worthy of recognition in their own right.
Brand beginnings
Louis Vuitton’s creative journey started in Paris when he became an apprentice trunk maker at 16 years old. Vuitton spent 17 years working in the trunk atelier and developed excellent craftsmanship skills, eventually leading him to open his own workshop in 1854.
As Vuitton’s success built, he opened an atelier in Asnières five years later which expanded over the years and still produces Louis Vuitton goods today.
The iconic Monogram canvas was developed in 1896 by Louis Vuitton’s son, Georges Louis Vuitton. The canvas was used across the brand’s travel pieces and became associated with premium luxury and superior craftsmanship.
While Louis Vuitton today offers a variety of luxury pieces, from clothing to footwear and jewelry, its bags remain some of its most enduringly popular creations.
The most popular Louis Vuitton bags
The French luxury brand has created a variety of stylish, premium bags throughout its extensive history but there are undeniably particular pieces that have garnered a cult following and enduring popularity.
One of the most popular and iconic Louis Vuitton bags is the Neverfull. It was launched in 2007 and has gained a devoted following for its spacious and versatile design that can adapt to everyday use and travel needs.
The Neverfull is one of the most instantly recognizable bags from Louis Vuitton and comes in three sizes. Designed to hold a large variety of items (hence the name) but capable of folding flat when empty, it’s a useful bag to pack within luggage for use as a day bag and also offers space-saving convenience for storing at home when not in use.
Another popular piece is the Louis Vuitton Alma which takes its name from the Alma Bridge in Paris. The bag was created in 1934 by Gaston-Louis Vuitton (Louis Vuitton’s grandson) and stands out as the most structured of the brand’s iconic bags.
Gaston-Louis Vuitton also created the first designer bucket bag in 1932. Known as the Louis Vuitton Noé, it was created at the request of a champagne maker and was designed to hold four upright champagne bottles and a fifth bottle upside down in the center, with a drawstring closure to prevent rattling.
The Louis Vuitton Capucines Bag takes its name from the Rue des Capucines where Louis Vuitton opened his first shop in Paris in 1854. Launched in 2013, the bag is available in a variety of materials such as lambskin, crocodile leather, and taurillon leather.
However, the Louis Vuitton Speedy is arguably the most iconic bag created by the French brand. Intriguingly it was also the first handbag to be created by Louis Vuitton, so it is both a fitting and impressive feat that it remains a truly iconic piece to this day.
Delving into the Louis Vuitton Speedy
While Louis Vuitton started out crafting trunks, 1924 saw the introduction of the Keepall bag. Compared to trunks, the Keepall bag provided a more lightweight and flexible travel companion that complemented the rapid developments in transportation and an increase in long-distance travel.
The Keepall was made from coated canvas and could be folded up to store inside a suitcase, making it a versatile bag for traveling. The Louis Vuitton Speedy was released in 1930 as a more portable alternative to the Keepall.
Initially named the Express, the Speedy was designed to keep up with a quick pace of travel, created as a lightweight and convenient bag that would allow the user to easily transport their essentials. Though it initially came in three sizes, namely the 30, 35, and 40, Audrey Hepburn requested a miniature version that would be suitable for everyday use, resulting in the creation of the Speedy 25.
The bag stands out with its elegantly curving duffle-like silhouette, rolled leather handles, and engraved padlock. In addition to the Speedy, Louis Vuitton released a version with a detachable shoulder strap in 2011, known as the Speedy Bandouliere.