Louis Vuitton Handbags & Purses

Louis Vuitton, the venerable French maker of luxury goods, made its name as a world-class luggage maker. Since 1859, Louis Vuitton has been expertly crafting special orders for travel gear at its workshop in Asnières, a quiet little town just outside of Paris.

Catering to the travel needs of maharajahs, moguls, movie stars, and other affluent travelers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the brand supplied its customers with just about anything they could dream up for their travels. Classic Louis Vuitton products include durable trunks, collapsible desks, and shoe cases.

Today, the brand's primary specialization is in bags. Louis Vuitton purses have a seductive appeal and craftsmanship pedigree that makes them perpetually popular both at retail and auction. Identified easily by the signature iconic Louis Vuitton monogram canvas, every type of Louis Vuitton bag from simple pochettes to backpacks stands out with the trademark LV logo.

Quick Facts

• The Louis Vuitton Kusama Pumpkin Minaudiere Bag is the result of one of several collaborations between the Parisian house and renowned Japanese contemporary artist Yayoi Kusama. Constructed of pure gold and black resin in a limited run of just five purses, each gourd-shaped bag sells for $134,000
• In 2010 at Skinner, a seemingly unused small Louis Vuitton monogrammed bag in its original box sold for $711, more than double its high estimate
• A rare Louis Vuitton Art Deco style top handle bag in navy blue Lucite sold for $325 at a Heritage Auction sale in 2012