Rare and Limited Edition Louis Vuitton Bags
Louis Vuitton's first Limited Edition handbag was released in 1996 to celebrate its 100-year anniversary. Called the Centenaire Collection, it came in Damier print with vachetta leather. In 1997, Louis Vuitton hired it's first creative director, Marc Jacobs, who designed the brand's first ready-to-wear line and introduced bags made with Monogram Vernis material. During Marc Jacobs' tenure as creative director, he partnered with several artists including Stephen Sprouse, Takashi Murakami, and Yayoi Kusama to create limited edition bags that remain highly sought-after in the secondary market. The Louis Vuitton bag styles that were frequently part of the limited editions were its classic LV Keepall, LV Speedy, LV Alma, LV Pochette Accessoires and LV Neverfull. Marc Jacobs was also responsible for the launch of some of the most successful new Louis Vuitton handbags including the LV Neverfull and the LV Pochette Metis. Louis Vuitton continues to release rare limited edition bags and has partnered with artists for its Artycapucines Collection.
Sotheby's Handbags Specialists picked their favorite Limited Edition Louis Vuitton bags just in time for the holidays. All of these bags were chosen for both rarity in the secondary market and likelihood to surprise and delight the Louis Vuitton Collector.
Louis Vuitton and luxury travel are synonymous from the beginning. It was founded in 1954 as a maker of travel trunks and remains one the top global brands of luxury travel bags and accessories. The Airplane bag from Virgil Abloh's 2021 Fall/Winter Menswear Ready-To-Wear collection is a truly unique collector's piece. This bag is whimsical and iconic with use of the monogram coated canvas that is has been a staple of the brand since 1896 when it was first introduced.
Louis Vuitton's Pudsey was designed by Kim Jones in collaboration with Katie Grand, Editor in Chief of LOVE in 2011. The Pudsey bear and custom Louis Vuitton Alzer suitcase was part of a larger Pudsey charity sale to benefit BBC Children in Need. Pudsey is wearing a Stephen Sprouse graffiti logo print in deep pink and blue from the Louis Vuitton 2000 collection. The bear also comes with its own padlock and Stephen Sprouse print handkerchief.
The Louis Vuitton Boombox Bag is from the 2017 Cruise Collection and was featured on the runway as look 12. The sporty 80s inspired collection was shown at the Niterói Museum of Contemporary Arts in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil featuring the Boombox Bag as the star of the show. The Limited Edition Louis Vuitton Bag is made of Petite Malle Bags and can play music through Bluetooth.
The Louis Vuitton Twisted Box designed by Frank Gehry as part of the 2014 Celebrating Monogram 'The Icon and the Iconoclasts' collection. Size artists including award winning Architect Frank Gehry were tapped to make limited edition bags celebrating the classic monogram pattern which was first released in 1896. The Twisted Box features rigid lines with a blue lambskin interior and embossed LV logo design. The bag also has a top handle and a detachable strap for increased versatility.
The 12-year collaboration of Louis Vuitton and Takashi Murakami produced many iconic bags starting in 2003. Japanese Artist, Takashi Murakami revitalized the brand's classic monogram in bold colors and cartoon like artwork. The Limited Edition Louis Vuitton x Murakami Green Monogramouflage Coated Canvas Pegase 60 Rolling Luggage from 2008 is a rare find and sought after by dedicated collectors.
