Louis Vuitton revisits the Monagram's history of innovation and craftsmanship while tracing the journey of an emblem that has shaped the House&rsquo;s identity since 1896.

Louis Vuitton opens the first chapter of the Monogram&rsquo;s 130th anniversary with a renewed exploration of the maison&rsquo;s most recognisable signature. Conceived in 1896 by Georges Vuitton, the Monogram began as both tribute and protection, a graphic cipher honouring his late father, Louis, while securing the maison&rsquo;s creations against a wave of imitations. Registered in 1897, the patent transformed craftsmanship into authorship, establishing one of the earliest modern logos. Its interlaced LV initials and stylised flowers &ndash; inspired by Neo-Gothic ornament, Japanese mon, and the emerging modernity of fin-de-si&egrave;cle Paris &ndash; formed an instantly iconic visual language.

Woven first in linen jacquard in ecru and sienna tones, the Monogram debuted on Louis Vuitton&rsquo;s iconic trunks, immediately linking the pattern to the romance of travel. Technical innovation followed including the pochoir stencil technique in 1902 and the supple 1959 coated canvas that introduced new flexibility and durability, ushering the Monogram into the era of soft luggage. Later evolutions such as the deep graphite Monogram Eclipse in 2017, reaffirmed the maison&rsquo;s ability to reinterpret its codes without losing their essence.

As the 20th century advanced, the Monogram travelled from station platforms and transatlantic steamers to jet cabins and global boulevards, becoming a symbol of movement itself. With the rise of artistic collaboration, it also became a universal canvas. From the 1996 centenary project to reinterpretations by Frank Gehry, Rei Kawakubo, Takashi Murakami, Yayoi Kusama, Jeff Koons and others, the Monogram proved endlessly elastic &ndash; a shared creative territory where architecture, design and art converge.

Several of Louis Vuitton&rsquo;s most celebrated bags crystallise this 130-year legacy. The Speedy (1930), born from the era&rsquo;s fascination with speed, evolved from a piece of soft luggage into the very personification of modern mobility. Its companion, the Keepall (1930), introduced a new freedom in travel with its lightweight structure and generous volume. The No&eacute; (1932), originally designed to carry Champagne bottles, transformed practicality into Parisian insouciance. The Alma (1992), descended from the 1934 Squire Bag (itself an Art Deco masterpiece) into a timeless companion.

Together, these creations trace an emblematic journey. As Louis Vuitton begins its anniversary celebrations, the Monogram stands as both historic markers as well as living codes universally recognised all over the world.

Louis Vuitton celebrates 130 years of the Monogram

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