[Guide] Louis Vuitton Patterns, Prints and Materials

Sometimes a mere glimpse at a bag will tell you everything about it. Fashion houses create unique prints to make their items easily recognizable. Standing in the crowded center of NYC you won't confuse Louis Vuitton bag with anything else, thanks to its famous pattern.

Some of them have already become iconic, not to mention that a bag with a recognizable Louis Vuitton pattern is a perfect accessory for every outfit. No wonder, they are coveted by fashionistas and copied by forgers.

Today we are going to talk about different existing Louis Vuitton prints and patters plus material types, from old and legendary ones to recent collaborations with modern artists that have won designer bag lovers' hearts. 

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Classic Louis Vuitton Patterns and Prints

We truly believe that every person, no matter how little he or she knows about fashion, recognizes signature Louis Vuitton patterns. The hot chocolate colors are rarely mistaken with any other brand, and with time the bags featuring these prints only get higher in price. Let's learn more about classic Louis Vuitton patterns and dive into their history!

Louis Vuitton Monogram Canvas

Browse all Louis Vuitton Monogram bags on Fashionphile

Louis Vuitton Monogram is the first print introduced by the fashion house, and it has a long history dating back to 1896. Eye-catching interlocking letters L and V, as well as the floral pattern, were designed by George Vuitton, Louis Vuitton's son. This print first appeared on the trunks for rich travelers and was a symbol of status and luxury. Later when the fashion house expanded from luggage business to the whole empire of high-end accessories the Monogram print was used on the most stylish and famous models.

How to take care of a purse with this pattern? It's obvious that with time canvas would show some signs of wear. But you have to wait long for it to become noticeable. High-quality materials used by the fashion house are ideal for modern lifestyle. Typically, Monogram canvas bags reveal minor scratches on the corners and near the button or zipper (where you touch it most).

Natural cowhide (Vachetta) that the Monogram canvas usually is combined with tends to darken with time due to natural oil, so don't try to clean it with any kinds of chemicals. Be careful around water, it might leave permanent marks on the bag. Try to give your purse a rest from time to time, keeping it stuffed (to prevent cracks on leather and print, remember that Louis Vuitton doesn't repair cracks!). Here are some more tips on how to store your designer bags. 

Louis Vuitton Damier Ebene Canvas

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Fashionistas always argue which Louis Vuitton pattern is more classic: Monogram or Damier. The answer is obviously both, because now we can't imagine the fashion house without any of them. As the previous Louis Vuitton print, this one was invented again by talented George Vuitton. The Damier canvas was first introduced in 1888. Meaning 'chessboard' in French, the print features alternating squares of two colours. 110 years later the famous Damier Ebene was introduced with two shades of brown and it immediately joined the family of iconic LV patterns.

Crafted from very durable canvas, bags with the Damier Ebene print can show some signs of wear after a certain period of time. It largely depends on how much you use the purse and how you carry it. Try to avoid any contact with rough surfaces, cosmetics and water, don't use hand sanitizer way too much. Canvas would darken on the corners with time, but usually with Damier Ebene it's not much of an issue because it blends well. Clean the surface with a damp piece of cloth of light color. You can find a lot of useful tips about cleaning Louis Vuitton canvases and leathers in our guide on how to safely clean a Louis Vuitton bag at home. 

Louis Vuitton Damier Azur Canvas

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The Damier pattern was introduced in several colors but only two of them became classic Louis Vuitton prints. Damier Azur features alternating squares of white and navy blue hues. Inspired by the colors of the French Riviera and created in 2006, this feminine pattern instantly won Louis Vuitton fans' hearts. 

Damier Azur is much lighter than Ebene or Monogram patterns, so the obvious question comes to mind: how much care does it require? Like any other high-end brand material, the Damier Azur canvas needs constant attention, and even more care than other prints due to its color. The bag would reveal scratches and discoloration easier than Ebene, and should be kept away from water and grease. Be ready that canvas might get yellow with time.

Cleaning this LV pattern is easy, just use a damp cloth and don't go rough on it. To get rid of some dirt you can also use a soft brush, but be extremely gentle, as you might erase the print. Don't put it on the floor and store in a dust bag. If you're not afraid of high maintenance, be sure to check a pre-loved Louis Vuitton Damier Azur Croisette Crossbody Bag on our website.

Louis Vuitton Damier Graphite Canvas

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If you ever come across the iconic Louis Vuitton checkered pattern, but in gray color scheme, be aware that's it's another version of the classic print.

A variation of the oldest Damier Ebene, Damier Graphite is a canvas primarily used in men's bag collections. You'll find a lot of messengers, suitcases and porte-document in this pattern.

Damier Graphite pattern boomed as it is versatile and suits both men and women, while its hassle-free color requires minimal care. Check out the Damier Graphite bags on Fashionphile.

Louis Vuitton Leathers

Now that we've explored the canvas patterns, it's time for luxurious Louis Vuitton leather.

Louis Vuitton Vernis Leather

How to make your world sparkle even on gloomy winter days? Buy a mesmerizing bag in Vernis Leather! Just have a look at the hypnotizing Louis Vuitton Pomme d'Amour Monogram Vernis Summit Drive Bag we have. This Louis Vuitton print was introduced by Marc Jacobs as his first contribution shortly after he was appointed as the head of the fashion house. It became a huge success when it appeared on the shelves in 1998. Shining Vernis leather gives the signature Monogram pattern a brand-new look. This glowing effect is achieved by using patent finish on calfskin leather.

It's not a secret that bags made of Vernis leather require special care. They tend to get scratched and have deep dark marks from wear way too easily, so you literally need to baby your sparkling accessory. Glazing at the corners might get rubbed quite fast, but it's considered to be typical wear and tear.

Carrying and even storing a Vernis leather bag can be quite a challenge. This Louis Vuitton pattern is a magnet for fingerprints due to its patent finish. Even when kept in a dust bag in a closet it should be cleaned and aired once in a couple of months. Avoid contact of the leather with any magazines or newspapers, it would be impossible to get rid of print marks. You can clean the bag with a damp cotton cloth.

Louis Vuitton Epi Leather

Epi Leather is the most widely used material for the bags aside from canvas. The idea of creating this LV pattern came to George Vuitton's mind in 1920, when he and his son were looking for durable materials. 6 years later it was introduced as the material for a tea case trunk. Nowadays almost every iconic Louis Vuitton bag exists in Epi leather. Just have a look at this Louis Vuitton Black Noir Epi Alma BB we have in stock.

What is this material? It's a pressed leather stamped with textured horizontal pattern covered with protective finish. Originally there were only six colors available. Over the years the brand designed a rich Epi leather palette to suit each taste and match every outfit.

Mostly made from calfskin, this LV leather pattern is highly durable. A special textured print makes the bags not only soft to the touch but extremely prone to damage as well. No special maintenance or care required, you can enjoy your Epi leather bag as much as you want. Of course, with time some tiny wear can appear on the corners or where you touch it most, but you'll barely notice it. Even used regularly, this Louis Vuitton pattern will stay in the same pristine condition.

How to take care of Epi leather? Nothing is as easy! If your bag gets dirty, just use a damp cloth to clean it. Epi leather is not afraid of water, but don't forget to dry it after rain or snow. Store the purse in a dust bag away from the light to prevent color fading.

Louis Vuitton Empreinte Leather

 Browse all Louis Vuitton Empreinte items on Fashionphile

Introduced only in 2010, this Louis Vuitton print immediately became iconic and we understand why. The signature Monogram pattern is deeply embossed into high-quality calfskin, creating a stunning look. Even when you look at a picture of a bag with this pattern, you feel the burning desire to touch every ornament. Louis Vuitton Black Monogram Empreinte Mazarine MM in our online shop is a perfect example. The youngest of the classic prints appears on multiple models and silhouettes of the fashion house.

Not only good-looking but also highly durable, this pattern will serve you a lifetime. Even constantly used, it would stay in mint condition after several years. That's one of the reasons why it has become a classic Louis Vuitton pattern and is often chosen over canvas models. Empreinte is sturdy and is prone to all sorts of scratches and damages.

This leather doesn't require special care. It can handle rain and even your hand lotions, and for storage you can just put it into a dust bag without wiping it first. But still try not to be too careless with this precious item.

Louis Vuitton Multicolor Monogram Canvas

Multicolor Monogram is the only print that has become classic among all the other limited collaborations with the artists. We've already told the full story of success of this LV pattern in our article about Louis Vuitton Multicolore Monogram Collection: Your Guide to One of the Most Iconic Louis Vuitton Prints, and now we'll just mention some most impressive details. Introduced only 17 years ago, Multicolor Monogram already reached the pick of its popularity and was eventually discontinued.

The main feature of this Louis Vuitton print is the color of LV logos and floral patterns. The classical brown shade was replaced by 33 different colors, giving the pattern playful and modern look on white or black background. This eye-catching print is a choice of today's celebrities and influencers, each member of the Kardashian/Jenner family owns at least one bag from the Multicolor Monogram collection.

Colour fading is normal wear and tear for this Louis Vuitton pattern. Multicolor Monogram is silk screened onto the canvas, so there's nothing that can be done to avoid natural chipping and color fading. However, it doesn't happen fast, there is a high chance you'll enjoy your Multicolor items for a long time if you give them special care and attention. Also, white items tend to become dirty faster, so they require cleaning more frequently.

Louis Vuitton Limited Edition Prints, Collaborations & Collections

Aside from classical Louis Vuitton prints, there have been some interesting collaborations of the brand with contemporary artists. Working together with talented painters and photographers helped give a new life to Louis Vuitton collections and attract new fans. All the items were manufactured in limited amount and most of them can only be found in collectors' closets or on the pre-loved market now.

Let's take a closer look at the most successful collaborations!

Louis Vuitton x Takashi Murakami Collaboration

The most recognizable collaboration happened during the Marc Jacobs Era. In 2003 he invited Japanese artist Takashi Murakami to work on a new Louis Vuitton pattern. As a result, not one but a few playful and cute designs were released, looking quite childish compared to classic prints. The collaboration lasted for 12 years, giving us the best Louis Vuitton designs and patterns.

Louis Vuitton Multicolor Monogram Print

We've just talked about this pattern above, now we reveal the name of the person who created this iconic design. It was talented Takashi Murakami who brought a little piece of Japanese culture to French chic bags and accessories. 

Louis Vuitton Cherry Blossoms Print

The most feminine Louis Vuitton design ever was also created by Takashi Murakami. The Cherry Blossoms collection features the classic Monogram pattern with pink sakura flowers all over the canvas. Besides, the traditional brown color was replaced by a stunning pink shade to make the bags irresistible for young fashionistas.

Louis Vuitton Monogramouflage Print

Introduced in 2008, this Louis Vuitton pattern was something totally new for the fashion house. As you can see from the name, Monogramouflage features two prints. Murakami was able to combine the classical Monogram ornaments in black color with combat camouflage background. You can find a lot of items like belts, suitcases, scarves in this print but the Louis Vuitton Monogramouflge Speedy bag is the most coveted one. Whenever it pops up on platforms selling Louis Vuitton pre-loved pieces, it sells quick. 

Louis Vuitton Monogram Cerises Print

A limited edition of this Louis Vuitton pattern was released for the Spring/Summer collection 2005, and it is perfect for sunny days. The classical Monogram canvas is decorated with smiling cherries all over the surface. A brave move by the Japanese artist who mixed together a playful anime style and French luxury that turned out to be an immediate success among fashionistas.

Louis Vuitton x Yayoi Kusama Collaboration

In 2012 the fashion house collaborated with another Japanese artist Yaoyi Kusama. Marc Jacobs personally was a fan of her energetic and vivid projects, so he invited her to work with Louis Vuitton. As a result, one of the most unusual and provocative LV patterns was designed. Using her own work as inspiration, Yaoyi Kusama created an eye-catching Polka Dot Monogram pattern.

Made mostly of Vernis leather (as if it could have been different for such an extravagant artist), these bags feature contrasting polka dots on the Monogram print background. Shiny, bright and striking, this Louis Vuitton print fully reflects free nature of the artist.

In 2023, Louis Vuitton produced another LV x Kusama bags collection. Some prints were very similar to the ones that were used before, while a few new prints have also been introduced.

Louis Vuitton x Stephen Sprouse Collaboration

The very first successful collaboration that started the tradition of inviting artists to make new prints for upcoming collections. Stephen Sprouse created two prints to be remembered for.

Louis Vuitton Graffiti Collection

Bags featuring Graffiti pattern were literally swept off the shelves immediately. Bold and bright, this collection was released twice: in 2001 to mark the first collaboration and later in 2009 to pay tribute to the artist who died from lung cancer. What was so special about the graffiti pattern? Stephen Sprouse decided to put a large modern print reading 'Louis Vuitton' and 'Paris' all over the Monogram canvas, almost hiding the main pattern.

Louis Vuitton Graffiti Speedy is one of the most coveted bags from this collection.

Louis Vuitton Roses Collection

Another Louis Vuitton pattern made by Stephen Sprouse was released only after his death. It was designed during the collaboration period but appeared on the bags and accessories only 8 years later, in 2009. Marc Jacobs updated himself the Monogram print by adding Stephen's fluorescent rose pattern. The combination of vivid and classical colors resulted in creation of one of the most beautiful and feminine prints in the LV history.

Again, Louis Vuitton Roses Speedy shown on the picture above is a collectible item. Don't miss it if you find it!

Louis Vuitton x Richard Prince Collaboration

The Spring/Summer 2008 runway show unveiled a stunning collaboration of the fashion house with Panama-born artist and photographer Richard Prince, famous for his kinky and extravagant Nurse parade. Among all the LV patterns designed during that season, we adore the rare and limited Watercolor line.

Browse all Watercolor bags on Fashionphile

This Louis Vuitton Watercolor pattern looks spectacular on a Speedy. Richard Prince managed to create a stunning effect of watercolored Monogram pattern in soft pale hues. It looks as if someone just took a brush and used it on canvas to express their artistic nature in LV style. The pattern features 17 shades, mostly including pink, purple, yellow and orange colors and their shades. Both white and black backgrounds are simply fabulous and eye-catching. 

I believe now you are quite an expert in the world of Louis Vuitton prints and patterns. What is your favourite LV print? Share in comments!

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