Why is Louis Vuitton So Expensive? The World of Luxury.
Arguably the most recognized luxury brand in the world, Louis Vuitton bags easily go for over $2000, and you might wonder why they are so expensive, however, their pricing is not without reason. Louis Vuitton is a luxury brand that has been around since the 1850s and has built a strong reputation worldwide because they use high-quality materials and emphasize the level of craftsmanship required to produce each piece they have.
Of course, a large part of luxury brands is giving the impression of exclusivity and marketing, however, they have managed to have a lot of people who strive to have the LV monogram in their closet, and that says a lot about the brand itself.
For a deeper dive into why they are so expensive, let’s understand what makes them a luxury brand in the first place. We’ll explore their history, craftsmanship, exclusivity, marketing, and how they maintain their brand reputation.
READ MORE: All You Need To Know About The Louis Vuitton X Yayoi Kusama
Brief History of Louis Vuitton: Began with Crafting the Best
Louis Vuitton is named after the founder Louis Vuitton, who was a skilled French Craftsman who began his luggage business in 1854. He began gaining popularity after he created a Steamer Trunk which was the first of its kind. Luggage for steam trains up to that point had been round, but Louis Vuitton made a piece of luggage that was water-resistant and easily stackable.
Why Louis Vuitton Bags Are Expensive
1. Louis Vuitton Bags Are Made To Last
Louis Vuitton bags are known to last for decades. Their durability comes from their coated canvases and the use of waxed threads to make their bags resistant to water. This stems from Louis Vuitton’s innovation of his flat top steamer trunk to be water resistant, unlike other steamer trunks that had to be round to allow water to slide off. In addition, they are hand sewn in a way that makes the bag resistant to threading. Because they are so durable and long-lasting many people view them as an investment pieces.
2. Began Its Roots With Nobility
Vuitton was hired in 1853 as a personal trunk maker and packer for the Empress of the French. It seems that she loved having Vuitton work for her because he packed “the most beautiful clothes in an exquisite way.” However, more than serving the Empress, this provided Vuitton with a great opportunity to network with the nobility and eventually gain them as loyal customers for the business he opened in 1854, which we all know today, as Louis Vuitton.
In a way, because he began with nobility, this enabled him to be able to begin as a brand high in desirability, as nobility were considered the most fashion-forward people back in the day.
3. Made In France And Other Notable Countries
According to Louis Vuitton, different countries manufacture different things. Switzerland makes all its watches, whilst France, Italy, and Switzerland produce their jewelry. However, what makes their bags iconic is that they are hand-made in France. An in-house team of designers, pattern makers, and cutters also allows them to control the production process from start to finish to keep the best level of quality. Their skilled artisans require a lot of training before they are allowed to produce a bag that can be sold.
“We want to keep the best level of quality, and to train our team, maybe it takes 18 months to 2 years before they can really start producing.” – Bernard Arnault.
Tip: All Louis Vuitton bags will have date code stamps and a stamp explicitly stating “made in France” or another country.
4. Status Symbol
Owning a Louis Vuitton is much like a status symbol because they are a luxury item. The brand maintains its lavish prices, meaning only people with disposable income are able to afford them. In addition, the LV monogram and iconic canvas’ can be recognized a mile away due to its long history. Considered elite to the wealthy, having a Louis Vuitton bag as a fashion accessory is like having
Kylie Jenner, one of the most popular celebrities right now, is often seen with Louis Vuitton bags and products.
5. Exclusivity of Louis Vuitton Collections
Louis Vuitton markets their products wisely which helps keep them from devaluing its brand or certain collections. When they release a new
6. Clever Marketing
Louis Vuitton uses brand ambassadors such as Jennifer Lopez, Kate Moss, and Scarlet Johansson to promote their brand. Luxurious advertisements also help keep their desirability high in consumers’ minds. There is high consumer demand for luxury items, particularly a brand worn by people’s favorite celebrities or their want to look similar to someone they look up to.
As Louis Vuitton bags have remained highly sought-after,
Where is Louis Vuitton Bags Made?
Louis Vuitton workshops are in France, and because of their exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail, they produce a limited number of bags a year.
How Much Do Louis Vuitton Bags Cost? And Their Resale Value
Let’s look at some of the most popular Louis Vuitton Bags.
Louis Vuitton bags generally cost around $2000. From Louis Vuitton’s website, their Neverfull PM, one of their most popular styles in the smallest size will run you $1960.
Others such as the Louis Vuitton Alma, are $1,760, and the Louis Vuitton Pochette Accessoires which is a popular choice for a first Louis Vuitton bag is $1,290.
This is a luxury brand after all, so I wouldn’t expect their bags to be inexpensive at all, but rather think of them as investment pieces because they last a long time. Decades even. Also, Louis Vuitton bags often have great resale value.
Often Louis Vuitton bags go up in price on their website and they do not get cheaper. In 2021 alone, Louis Vuitton had two price increases. This greatly helps the resale market because more people look for pre-loved bags hoping to get a slightly better deal. Thus Louis Vuitton bags are often resold for their initial retail value or even more.
In conclusion, Louis Vuitton’s expense is justified by its unparalleled craftsmanship, premium materials, rich heritage, and the exclusivity it offers, cementing its status as a coveted luxury brand in the fashion world.
Are Louis Vuitton Bags Popular Amongst Celebrities?
The brand has a long history of collaborations with celebrities such as Taylor Swift, Angelina Jolie, Kylie Jenner, Hailey Bieber, Emma Watson, and more. These are just a few of the names that have been spotted carrying Louis Vuitton bags. They are fashionable accessories because they look beautiful, have a high quality, and yet also are a status symbol.
What Age Group Does Louis Vuitton Target?
As a luxury brand, their items are priced to target demographics with a high disposable income, thus adults from the ages of late 20s to early 50s. These people would have an interest in luxury goods, travel, and high-end fashion.
Since Louis Vuitton has their roots as a travel luggage brand, their consumers tend to be more well-educated with a strong sense of personal style. Keeping to its origins, Louis Vuitton still makes travel bags to this day and their recognizable monogram helps its brand reputation.
