1998 Shockingly New! Louis Vuitton Kendall GM Travel Bag in Épicéa Taïga Leather
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Leesburg, VA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1064319529342
Louis Vuitton
The story behind iconic luxury brand Louis Vuitton — best known for its esteemed handbags, crossbody bags, leather goods, ready-to-wear clothing and more — is one of craft and innovation in the worlds of fashion, jewelry and furniture.
The company’s modest origins can be traced back to when its founder, Louis Vuitton (1821–92), wishing to free himself from the conventional lifestyle in his provincial French city of Anchay as well as a difficult stepmother, left in the early 1830s to make a new life in Paris. The young Vuitton was 13 at the time and would need to travel on foot to get to the capital, which was hundreds of miles away. With stops along the way to make money so that he could forge ahead, the journey took a couple of years, but reward was close at hand.
When he arrived in Paris, Vuitton made a living with his hands. He toiled as a box maker and packer for more than a decade and built relationships with royals and members of the upper class while working for the empress of France, Eugenie de Montijo. In 1854, Vuitton launched his namesake company. The craftsman opened a humble workshop on rue Neuve des Capucines and advertised his services with a small poster that read: “Securely packs the most fragile objects. Specializing in packing fashions.”
Long before his brand would become known globally for its exemplary top-handle bags and stylish totes, Vuitton produced stackable and rectangular trunks. The most common trunks of the era were round, which weren’t ideal for toting and storing. In 1858, Vuitton debuted his lightweight, handcrafted canvas trunks, which were sturdy, rugged and equipped with convenient compartments. Travel’s popularity broadened in the late 19th century, and Vuitton’s trunks could easily be packed into train cars and ships — upright trunks meant hanging wardrobe storage that would allow his clients to transport their sophisticated garments without worry. Demand increased and the company grew. When Louis Vuitton died in 1892, control of the luxury house was passed onto his only son, Georges Vuitton.
In 1914, a Louis Vuitton store opened at 70 Champs-Élysées. The largest travel-goods store in the world at the time, it became the company’s flagship.
The Louis Vuitton brand embodies all the attributes of luxury, from the craftsmanship, exclusivity and relevance to heritage. It’s only appropriate that it boasts one of the most recognizable insignias — the imaginative interlocking of letters and fleurettes — in the fashion world. The famous LV monogram was first used in 1896 as part of an initiative by Georges to prevent counterfeiting of his coveted new line of travel trunks. It’s one of the earliest examples of fashion branding.
The LV monogram would soon appear on everything from bags and various fashion accessories to alligator-skin champagne cases, from stylish apparel and earrings to teddy bears and airplane models.
On 1stDibs, the unmistakable insignia can be found on both modern and vintage Louis Vuitton shoulder bags, suitcases, original 19th-century trunks, jackets and more.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Conroe, TX
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- New With Tags Gucci Extra Large Pink Leather Jackie O Gaga Bag $3595 Fall 2014By GucciLocated in Leesburg, VAGucci Brand New With Tags Fall 2014 $3595 A Rare Find New Stunning Soft Pink The "New" Extra Large Jackie O Butter Soft Napa Leather Silver Piston Closu...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Top Handle Bags
- New Gucci Medium Soft Jackie Tote Bag in Full-Grained Leather w/ Piston ClosureBy GucciLocated in Leesburg, VAGucci Brand New With Tags Fall 2014 $2595 A Rare Find New Detachable Shoulder Strap Stunning Soft Pink Butter Soft Napa Leather Silver Piston Closure Pink Suede Lining Dimensions 13...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Top Handle Bags
- New Rare Prada Limited Edition Lurex Swing Corset BagBy PradaLocated in Leesburg, VARare Prada Lurex Bag Brand New $2950 * Stunning Lurex threading * Mint & Silver * Tube shape metal strap with leather corset details * Mint Satin Lining * ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoulder Bags
- New Fendi Shearling Bronze Baguette Bag With Fendi Squirrel Purse CharmBy FendiLocated in Leesburg, VAFendi Shearling Chef Baguette Brand New * Shearling Lined & Shearling Accents * Foil Leather (Finished with a Film of Metal) * Fendi Gold Hardware * Detachable Fendi Dangle Charm * M...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Shoulder Bags
- New Rare Salvatore Ferragamo Mink Lined Wood Beaded Snakeskin Bag With TagsBy Salvatore FerragamoLocated in Leesburg, VAFerragamo Brand New with Tags * Absolutely Stunning! This Rare bag is Fully Lined in Mink Fur Three Sections of Unique Wood Beading Mink "Poof" Dangle Charm Karung Snake Handles Sil...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoulder Bags
- Rare Beaded Fendi Baguette Bag With Patent Leather & Swarovski CrystalsBy FendiLocated in Leesburg, VALimited Edition Fendi Beaded Baguette Rare Unworn Vintage Find! Black & Orange Beading Throughout Patent Leather Trim Swarovski Crystal Front Clasp Orange Satin Lining Hologram & Se...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoulder Bags
- CHANEL Black Vinyl & Mesh Sports Line Duffle BagBy ChanelLocated in Bishop's Stortford, HertfordshireCHANEL Black Vinyl & Mesh Sports Line Duffle Bag Serial Number: 11545811 Age (Circa): 2007 Accompanied By: Chanel Dust Bag Authenticity Details: Serial Sticker (Made in Italy) Gende...Category
Early 2000s Italian Top Handle Bags
- Large Louis Vuitton Bag 50, Large Louis Vuitton Duffle Bag, Louis Vuitton TravelBy Louis VuittonLocated in Saint-ouen, FRThis beautiful travel bag features monogram canvas and gently tanned leather. This large size is no longer available in Louis Vuitton stores. This is a collector piece. It features i...Category
Late 20th Century French Duffel Bags and Carry-On Bags
- Large Louis Vuitton Bag, Louis Vuitton Ebene Damier Bag, Vuitton Travel BagBy Louis VuittonLocated in Saint-ouen, FRThis beautiful large Louis Vuitton bag features the very sought after ebene damier canvas body with leather trim, a flat top handle, a detachab...Category
Late 20th Century French Luggage and Travel Bags
- LOUIS VUITTON Brown Monogram Canvas Keepall Luggage Bag 50, Boston BagBy Louis VuittonLocated in New York, NYA Louis Vuitton logo-printed Louis Vuitton Keepall 50 with leather trim with bring a touch of heritage luxury wherever you carry it. Over all very good condition, I have added lots ...Category
2010s Unknown Top Handle Bags
- LOUIS VUITTON Brown Monogram Canvas Keepall Luggage Bag 55By Louis VuittonLocated in New York, NYA Louis Vuitton logo-printed Louis Vuitton Keepall 55 with leather trim with bring a touch of heritage luxury wherever you carry it. Over all good condition, I have added lots of pi...Category
2010s Unknown Top Handle Bags
- Chanel Lipstick Open Tote Patent Black Vinyl LargeBy ChanelLocated in New York, NYChanel Lipstick Open Tote Patent Black Vinyl Large Exterior Color Black Interior Color Grey Exterior Material Patent Vinyl Interior Material Satin Hardware Color Silver Chanel Lipsti...Category
2010s Italian Luggage and Travel Bags
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
How to Spot a Fake Louis Vuitton
What are the telltale signs that you're holding a real Louis Vuitton and not a knockoff? We spoke with expert Diane D’Amato to find out. Of course, you don't have to worry about fakes on 1stDibs, where every seller is highly vetted.
Inside Louis Vuitton’s Most Popular Handbag Collaborations
The venerable brand has earned accolades (and gained new fans) for partnerships that meld fashion with art.