Louis Vuitton Marks 130 Years of the Monogram with a Year-Long Celebration of Legacy and Innovation
Images provided by Louis Vuitton; archives.
By PAGE Editor
In 1896, Georges Vuitton set out to honor his father, Louis Vuitton—the visionary founder of the House—by creating what would become one of the most enduring symbols in fashion history. More than a decorative motif, the Louis Vuitton Monogram was conceived as a statement of identity, authorship, and permanence. Now, 130 years later, the House commemorates this legendary canvas with a year-long global celebration beginning January 2026, reaffirming the Monogram’s place as a living emblem of heritage, culture, and innovation.
Launched on January 1, the anniversary campaign pays tribute to the House’s most iconic Monogram bags: the Keepall, Alma, Speedy, Noé, and Neverfull. Designed to endure and be passed down through generations, each silhouette is reintroduced through campaign taglines that emphasize transmission, durability, and the savoir-faire embedded in every stitch. Together, they form a lineage of design that transcends trend, reaffirming Louis Vuitton’s commitment to longevity and meaning.
From its inception, the Monogram was revolutionary. Georges Vuitton personally designed the intricate composition of interlaced LV initials and floral motifs, registering it as a patent to protect the House’s authenticity at a time when imitation was rampant. Drawing inspiration from Neo-Gothic ornamentation and the influence of Japonism, the Monogram followed earlier innovations such as the striped canvas of 1872 and the Damier of 1888. Yet it quickly became something greater—a universal signature that expressed excellence, modernity, and continuity. Georges envisioned the Monogram not merely as surface decoration, but as a philosophy woven into every object it adorned.
Over the decades, the Monogram has served as a unifying thread across generations of artisans, collectors, and cultural icons. It has shaped the creative visions of Louis Vuitton’s artistic directors, from Marc Jacobs to Nicolas Ghesquière, and from Virgil Abloh to Pharrell Williams. It has also acted as a canvas for artistic dialogue, inspiring landmark collaborations with Takashi Murakami, Yayoi Kusama, Richard Prince, and others who reinterpreted the motif through their own cultural lenses.
The anniversary year opens by honoring the House’s most emblematic Monogram bags. Introduced in 1930, the Speedy redefined personal mobility, while the Keepall became a symbol of freedom and effortless travel. The Noé, designed in 1932 to carry five bottles of champagne, continues to celebrate joy and creative spirit. The Alma, inspired by Parisian architecture, embodies refined elegance, and the Neverfull—launched in 2007—stands as the ultimate modern companion. Each piece reflects a specific moment in time, yet remains resolutely timeless.
Alongside these icons, Louis Vuitton unveils its Monogram Anniversary Collection, a trio of special-edition bags inspired by the codes of trunk-making savoir-faire. Through modern design, diverse materials, and a dialogue between cutting-edge and traditional craftsmanship, the collection reimagines the Monogram for a new era while remaining deeply rooted in heritage.
Further expanding the celebration are three distinct capsule collections. The Monogram Origine Collection revisits the original 1896 pattern through a newly developed canvas crafted from a linen and cotton blend. Inspired by the cover of an archival client register, the collection reinterprets the traditional jacquard weave in soft pastel hues, offering a poetic nod to the House’s earliest records. The VVN Collection pays homage to Louis Vuitton’s leather goods legacy, crafted from natural cowhide that develops a unique patina over time—each piece a testament to authenticity, tactility, and the beauty of aging well. Meanwhile, the Time Trunk Collection bridges past and present through trompe-l’oeil printing that recreates the textures and metallic details of historic trunks, transforming heritage into a bold, artful illusion.
As Louis Vuitton embarks on this landmark year, the House invites the world to rediscover the Monogram not simply as a design, but as a legend. After 130 years, it remains a universal code of elegance and distinction—a living symbol whose legacy continues to evolve, inspire, and endure.
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