There are so many ways to treat yourself to a wonderful gift: a day in a spa resort, a visit to a fancy restaurant, a brand-new gadget. We, at Bagaholic, share the thrill of buying a new designer accessory. When it comes to spending several hundred dollars on a luxury item, the obvious question arises: what fashion house to choose? Today, we will try to find the answer to which brand is better: Louis Vuitton vs Prada.
These two brands are the most popular choice of modern fashion lovers, so naturally, they are often compared. How to understand what is more suitable for you, your lifestyle and beliefs before making a purchase?
Check this comparison to find out!
Louis Vuitton vs Prada: Brand History
All designer brands are proud of their origin and long history. Let’s see how these two brands started.
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Louis Vuitton |
Prada |
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Established in Paris, France
Founded in 1854 (127 years)
Brief history: the history of Louis Vuitton Malletier (this is the full name of the brand) is closely connected with the royal family. The famous designer and founder of the fashion house used to work as a personal packer and trunk-maker for Empress Eugénie de Montijo, the wife of Napoleon III. The first workshop, which was located in the center of Paris, sold trunks for wealthy clientele.
With the growing fame of the brand, the owners began expanding the range of goods and inventing signature patterns for their products. This is how iconic canvases appeared.
Louis Vuitton Malletier was doomed to be successful – with the proper and grandiose promotion, participating in the World Expos, advertising, and working with the best designers of the time, there seemed to be no other path for the brand.
Gradually, the boutiques appeared everywhere – from Asia to Alaska. The popularity of Louis Vuitton kept growing, and now, it only proves its position as one of the most prestigious and powerful brands ever existed.
LV reputation: seems like everything that surrounds the French brand breathes the aura of invincibility. It has never been involved in any type of scandal. Moreover, in an attempt to protect its intellectual property, LV sometimes files lawsuits against those who try to violate the trademark.
Style: Parisian elegance and chic, preserving traditions, respecting historical achievements, contemporary view of the style of the past.
Major focus on: handbags. |
Established in Milan, Italy
Founded in 1913 (108 years)
Brief history: the first shop was located in the heart of Milan. Founder Mario Prada was selling handbags, trunks, and travel accessories. In 1919, the fashion house became an official supplier of the Italian Royal House. Since that time, the goods of the brand were associated with aristocracy and upper middle-class.
However, the dramatic turn of events happened in the mid-1970s when Miuccia Prada took over the family business. Her grandfather was against having women in the company, yet he had no choice because his own son didn’t show any interest in the flourishing enterprise. Miuccia became the designer of the very first successful purse introduced by the brand. It was called the “classic Prada handbag” and it was an absolute success.
Little by little, new items and goods were introduced. First women ready-to-wear collection, shoes, men collection – in the 1990s,the unique brand acquired a premium status. Later, Prada continued opening new boutiques in different corners of the world.
Prada reputation: the brand cannot be called “flawless”. Not that long ago, it has been involved in several scandals, including the infamous Spring/Summer 2009 show, where the models couldn’t walk because of high heels. Muiccia Prada blamed the slippery silk socks.
Style: fearless and evolving silhouettes that are classical and modern at the same time, can be described as cutting-edge style.
Major focus on: bags, shoes, ready-to-wear. |
Conclusion:
- Both brands are the pride of their countries: LV is a symbol of fine French taste, Prada is all about Italian vibes. Which style makes your heart beat faster?
- Each of these fashion houses originates from the capital of fashion (as we all know, both Paris and Milan are magnets for fashionistas).
- Louis Vuitton is almost 20 years older than Prada. Although the Italian brand started to develop quite lately, while the French company was gaining its fame over decades. If you are a fan of traditions and a brand with a history, choose LV.
- Louis Vuitton formed the LVMH Group with the most remarkable French companies, Prada forms collaborations with the most promising Italian companies and aims to build its own empire of quality manufacturers.
- LV major focus is on purses, so if you are looking for a new accessory, choose this brand. You won’t regret the quality and will stay stylish for many decades to come.
- Prada majors in several types of goods, including shoes, clothing, and bags. If your aim is not a designer bag, pay more attention to this company.
Louis Vuitton vs Prada: Range of Items
There is no denying that history plays an important role, yet one shouldn’t rely on the facts from the past only. Louis Vuitton worked hard to become a world-famous brand, but Prada was able to evolve faster. Just imagine that the first purses appeared only 40 years ago, and they are still coveted by bags collectors.
Although we, at Bagaholic, adore handbags and everything that is related to them, the range of items of both fashion houses is way bigger. We have paid a virtual visit to the online shops of each company and are ready to share what we have found with you!
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Louis Vuitton |
Prada |
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Listed in the order of importance:
Handbags Wallets, key pouches, cardholders Accessories (sunglasses, scarves, belts) Ready-to-wear Shoes Decor and furniture Fragrances
Major specialization: handbags. |
Listed in the order of importance:
Handbags Shoes Ready-to-wear Wallets, cardholders Lifestyle accessories Hats, sunglasses, belts Fragrances
Major specialization: shoes, bags, and clothes. |
Conclusion:
- After reviewing the stock of the websites, we can state that it’s possible to get the full outfit from the items of every brand: pajamas from LV or a hat from Prada – choose what looks more interesting to you.
- Both LV and Prada offer a large variety of handbags. However, the French brand is known for legendary silhouettes (like Neverfull or Speedy that are the brand’s classics), while purses of the Italian company are not that iconic.
- If you want the timeless purse to match both casual and evening outfits, choose Louis Vuitton. If you are interested in trendy models, go for Prada.
By the way, don’t miss the opportunity to check 8 Hottest Handbags For Summer 2021 That Celebrity Like. You can find both LV and Prada models there!
Louis Vuitton vs Prada: Prices
No matter how much we love the brand, sometimes it’s hard to afford the coveted item. Yes, the cost of luxury can be overwhelming. So our stop in the comparison of which brand is better: Louis Vuitton vs Prada is the battle of price tags!
We picked similar goods (in terms of size and material) from each fashion house and compared their official retail prices.
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Name of item* |
Official LV price, USD** |
Official Prada price, USD** |
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Tote bag (leather) |
2,260 |
1,990 |
|
Tote bag (non-leather) |
From 1,460 (canvas) |
1,590 (nylon) |
|
Wallet on the chain (pochette) |
From 1,250 |
950 |
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Men’s long wallet |
1,360 (canvas) |
825 (saffiano leather) |
|
Ostrich handbag |
9,400 |
9,000 |
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Cardholder (leather) |
From 370 |
320 |
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Sunglasses |
From 475 |
From 385 |
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Leather loafers |
From 1,240 |
From 975 |
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Men’s backpack (leather) |
3,350 |
2,450 |
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Printed T-shirt (with logo) |
810 |
From 835 |
* items are from the women’s collection if not stated otherwise.
** prices exclude the state tax.
Conclusion:
- As we can see from the info above, Louis Vuitton goods are generally more expensive in every category (T-shirt is the only exception). So if the cost matters to you, choose something on the Prada official website.
- If the price doesn’t matter, then LV is a perfect option for you (especially when it comes to accessories).
- When choosing non-leather options, LV is a better choice. The canvas is a durable material, which will serve you a lifetime.
- Looking for shoes? Select your ideal pair from the Prada selection. They are made of high-quality leather and are almost 20% cheaper.
Tight on budget but still want to get a luxury item? Consider buying pre-owned. There are so many consignment stores where you can find Prada clothing and shoes in pristine condition. The idea of purchasing pre-loved items goes hand in hand with sustainability and an eco-friendly lifestyle. Read about this growing phenomenon in our article The Rise of Pre-Owned Luxury: Why Has It Become So Popular.
And of course, if you are dreaming of a stylish LV bag with an affordable price tag, check our stock!
Louis Vuitton vs Prada: Style
Unless you crave a luxury item just because of the fancy label on it, style is essential. Knowing how accessories and clothing of a fashion house match your outfits and go along with your lifestyle helps to make a tough choice of which brand is better: Louis Vuitton vs Prada.
Let’s talk style now!
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Louis Vuitton |
Prada |
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Style: timeless silhouettes, French elegance, good structure of bags (rigid lines and shapes), suitable for office outfits and glamorous events, great for all ages and styles.
Promotion: when it comes to advertising, Louis Vuitton is on the top! We don’t know how much the fashion house spends on their ad campaigns, but this is certainly a huge sum. Always gorgeous venues and stunning locations, A-class celebrities and Hollywood actresses and actors, supermodels.
People share the photos of advertising campaigns of LV on Pinterest – and every shot is a masterpiece. From the sweet as sugar Spring/Summer 2012 Ad Campaign to inviting real NASA astronauts for its Core Values Ad – the fashion house literally makes our jaws drop every time!
Passionate, eye-catching, memorable, and remarkable – every ad campaign goes straight to the heart as if inviting us to join these marvelous scenes. Moreover, the brand stays true to its classic designs and silhouettes, adding a hint of novelty and modernity to the well-known patterns.
Ambassadors: for its promotion, Louis Vuitton demands nothing but the best. Only the most popular and influential celebrities are honored to represent the brand: Madonna, Michelle Williams, Jennifer Lopez, Emma Stone, BTS, and many others participated in ad campaigns in different periods of time. |
Style: a mixture of classic and eccentric, a bit frumpy but trendy design, bold silhouettes with a combination of Italian vibes.
Promotion: the brand devotes a lot of time to its advertising. The ad campaigns of the Italian fashion house started in black and white since the introduction of the first Ready-to-wear collection in mid-1980s. Unlike LV, Prada implements bold, daring, and somewhat futuristic ideas.
Quite the opposite of the French fashion house, Prada uses neon and saturated colors like in the Fall/Winter 2018 Ad Campaign or surreal models in the Spring/Summer 2011 Campaign. The brand is not afraid to emphasize its daring attitude and approach in everything – from design to photos.
The spirit of braveness and rebel is living in every shape of the Prada items. Unusual, sometimes old-fashioned models and details are making this fashion house unique and loved. However, for conservative lovers of classics, it might seem way too controversial and inappropriate.
Ambassadors: Oscar-winning actors, top models, and celebrities of the moment support such a way of thinking, living, and dressing. Among the most known ambassadors of the brand are: Joaquin Phoenix, Eddie Radmayne, Carla Bruni, Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Irene, Chanyeol, Jongsuk. |
Conclusion:
- Brands have a completely different approach to fashion, and that makes them unique and original.
- Both companies spend plenty of money on beautiful and interesting ad campaigns, although with the opposite ideas.
- Louis Vuitton highlights the spirit of dignity and nobility in its advertising and style. That is why this brand is ideal for lovers of classical silhouettes.
- Prada is for daring people and offers fashion lovers a hint of “ugly chic” aesthetics (as the owner Miuccia Prada loves to say).
Louis Vuitton vs Prada: Social Media
Living in the era of digital technologies, we cannot deny the role of social media in our lives. For the brands, it’s one more channel of promotion, staying in touch with the audience, announcing new releases, and expanding their influence. What do these statistics say about which brand is better – Louis Vuitton vs Prada?
We have compared the activity and number of followers* on two popular platforms.
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Louis Vuitton |
Prada |
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Instagram: 45.1m followers |
Instagram: 27m followers |
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Twitter: 8m followers |
Twitter: 1.4m followers |
*as of July 2021. Current numbers may vary.
Conclusion:
- The French company triumphs in the battle of numbers. It has almost twice more followers on Instagram and five times a bigger audience on Twitter.
- Both LV and Prada post regularly and update fashion lovers with upcoming releases, tease the audience with snippets of new collections.
- Despite the lower numbers, Prada seems to be aware of the recent social media promotion trends. It has linked an online shop to its Instagram account, so it’s possible to see the price and complete a purchase without leaving the app.
- Each of the companies shows a good activity (considering the tons of likes and comments), yet neither of them replies to any mentions.
Louis Vuitton vs Prada: Celebrities
Top-ranked stars also love luxury items! Check our list to find out what your favorite actress or singer prefers to wear for their casual outfits.
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Louis Vuitton |
Prada |
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Alessandra Ambrosio Teresa Palmer Zendaya Lara Spencer Lucy Hale Lil Kim Jessica Biel |
Bella Hadid Noah Cyrus Megan Fox Lily Collins Emma Roberts Miranda Kerr Diane Kruger |
Louis Vuitton vs Prada: Where To Buy
When the complicated part of weighing all pros and cons of getting an accessory or clothing from one of the designer fashion houses is over, another question rises up: where to purchase the coveted item? We have gathered the most actual info.
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Louis Vuitton |
Prada |
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In the boutiques across the globe Online on the official website Pre-loved in our shop |
In the boutiques Online on the official website Outlets (11 stores in the USA) Pre-loved in consignment stores |
Conclusion:
- Each company has a huge number of stores in every corner of the world. Want to get an exclusive shopping experience? Be sure to visit one of the closest boutiques and immerse yourself in the atmosphere of luxury.
- Both brands sell their luxury goods online. As long as the desired bag is available on the website, you can order it without problems.
- Unlike Louis Vuitton, which is known for its anti-sales policy, Prada has several official outlets where you can get a brand-new item at a discounted price.
- No matter what brand you choose, there’s always an option of shopping pre-loved. First, it saves you a significant amount of money. Second, it allows purchasing items that are not available anymore.
Why considering buying a pre-owned handbag? Well, apart from the financial aspect, there’s another great advantage – a big choice of luxury goods that may not be available in boutiques and online shops. For example, did you notice that it became hard to get LV purses made of canvas these days? We have discussed this issue in our recent article – Why Is There Shortage of Louis Vuitton Canvas Items. However, no need to worry as you can find some good models in our stock!
Keep in mind that by buying pre-owned luxury bags, you risk paying for a counterfeit item instead of a quality original. We have already given a comparison of several popular handbag models, pointing out the crucial giveaways in our articles – Fake Louis Vuitton Neverfull vs Real: Important Details You Should Definitely Pay Attention To (With Photo Examples) and Louis Vuitton Croisette Bag Review and Real vs Fake Comparison (With Real Photos). They are very helpful for training your eye out for superfakes.
Nevertheless, always order professional authentication of any designer bag you plan to buy. It doesn’t cost much but will give you peace of mind once and forever.
If you need to authenticate a Louis Vuitton/Dior/Gucci item, please order one of the three types of authentication:
- good when you need a certificate for any reason,
Certificate of Authenticity $25
- good when you need a certificate for any reason, either to sell the bag with the peace of mind or to return a fake bag to the seller if you purchased a fake
- includes a permanent certificate on lvbagaholic.com
Certificate of Authenticity with a thorough explanation $50
- good when you need a certificate and you need to know why the bag is authentic/not authentic for any reason, either to sell the bag with the peace of mind or return a fake bag to the seller if you purchased a fake.
- includes a permanent certificate on lvbagaholic.com
- includes an explanation of why the item is fake (detailed pictures and comparisons with an authentic bag, more than 10 pics included)
PLEASE CHOOSE ONE OF THE OPTIONS BELOW
Did you choose the brand you’d like to add to your collection in the nearest future? If not yet, continue searching for the most suitable fashion house with our thorough comparisons:
Which Brand is Better: Louis Vuitton vs Gucci
Which Brand is Better: Louis Vuitton vs Yves Saint Laurent
Which Brand is Better: Louis Vuitton vs Burberry
Which Brand is Better: Louis Vuitton vs Coach
And if your heart is ready to say which brand is better: Louis Vuitton vs Prada for you, we can only congratulate you on this choice (whatever it is). It means that very soon, there will be one more happy fashionista on the planet!
