Louis Vuitton’s Monogram hits 130 and it’s still the hottest icon in luxury. From graffiti-splashed collaborations to bold reinventions, the emblem has grown far beyond luggage, becoming a symbol of creativity, status, and relentless style. In 2026, the house marks the milestone with year-long capsule collections, global window displays, and exclusive campaigns celebrating a design that continues to captivate the world.
French maison Louis Vuitton is celebrating 130 years of its monogram. The Louis Vuitton Monogram is one of the most popular and recognisable symbols in luxury.
In 1896, Louis Vuitton’s innovative trunks became so popular that they began to be copied, with fakes flooding the market. Georges Vuitton, son of Louis Vuitton, started brainstorming ways to protect the integrity of the brand in a unique manner. An ornamental pattern of interlaced LV initials and stylised floral motifs became the Louis Vuitton monogram. “Conceived amid Paris’s artistic bloom, the iconic design was created in tribute to Georges Vuitton’s father, in a fusion of inspirations from kitchen tiles in the family’s Asnières home and Neo-Gothic art. Undeniably recognisable and destined to endure, it has been continually renewed through dialogue with art and culture, a story rooted in legacy,” states the Louis Vuitton website.
The Monogram was patented in 1897.
But under successive creative directors, the Monogram evolved into a fashion statement. Marc Jacobs was appointed the creative director in 1997. He played a pivotal role in modernising the canvas. Under Jacobs, it transformed from classic travel luggage into a chic, fashion-forward emblem. It was during his tenure that the Monogram became a platform for artistic dialogue through high-profile collaborations with the likes of Stephen Sprouse, Takashi Murakami and Richard Prince. The designs were reinterpreted by each with graffiti, vibrant colour palettes and pop sensibilities. Traditional notions of luxury were challenged through these collaborations, and the Monogram was firmly positioned within modern culture.
In 1996, Louis Vuitton celebrated 100 years of its brown and gold canvas. For the 130th anniversary of the Monogram, a year-long celebration has been planned. Throughout 2026, special anniversary capsule collections will be launched.
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According to the maison’s website, “To celebrate 130 years of the legendary Monogram, three exclusive capsules reinterpret the House’s emblem: Monogram Origine, VVN, and Time Trunk. Reimagining five icons across canvas, leather, and trunk-making savoir-faire, each capsule embodies a distinct facet of Louis Vuitton’s heritage. The Monogram Multicolore also returns in a vibrant re-edition of the icons originally created by Takashi Murakami.”
The Monogram is associated with some of Louis Vuitton’s most iconic bags, including the Speedy and the Keepall, launched in 1930. The Noé was designed in 1932 to carry multiple bottles of champagne.
