The Louis Vuitton Collector's Club

The Louis Vuitton Collector's Club

Stephen Sprouse graffiti, Takashi Murakami Multicolore and Cherries, discontinued Vernis shades and limited collaborations

Collectors of Louis Vuitton look for artists, years and colors. This edit covers Stephen Sprouse graffiti, Takashi Murakami Multicolore and Cerises, seasonal Vernis shades and limited collaborations from Kusama, Prince and others.

What to know about Stephen Sprouse at Louis Vuitton

Stephen Sprouse's graffiti for Louis Vuitton launched in 2001 under Marc Jacobs. Writing across the monogram was a bold move, and the collaboration was revived with roses in 2009. Among the eight in this grid, I would look first at the Stephen Sprouse x Louis Vuitton Leopard Baby, the Stephen Sprouse x Louis Vuitton Beige Glazed Leather and the Louis Vuitton Black Monogram Patchwork Conte De Fees Pochette.

 

The neon on dark canvas is the thing to look for, along with the hand-scrawled letters. For more on collectible collaborations, see A Collector's State of Mind.

Stephen Sprouse graffiti

Takashi Murakami at Louis Vuitton

The white and black Multicolore bags are the ones collectors tend to look for first. Among the eight in this grid, I would look first at the Takashi Murakami x Louis Vuitton White Monogram, the Takashi Murakami x Louis Vuitton White Monogram and the Takashi Murakami x Louis Vuitton White Monogram.

 

The variety of shapes is part of the fun, from small pouches to larger totes. For more of that decade, see The Y2K Archive.

Takashi Murakami

Vernis shades from earlier years

Monogram Vernis arrived in 1998 under Marc Jacobs, and the house made it in many shades over the years. Amarante, Cerise, Noisette, pink and red are some of the seasonal shades in this grid.

 

Among the eight in this grid, I would look first at the Louis Vuitton Amarante Monogram Vernis Bellevue PM, the Louis Vuitton Noisette Monogram Vernis Roxbury and the Louis Vuitton Red Monogram Vernis Roxbury.

 

The glossy finish is easy to wear, and the color does the work. For more on color, see The Art of Collecting Color.

Vernis in colors from earlier years

Limited-edition collaborations

Frank Gehry and Christian Louboutin appear here too, and each collaboration is dated and limited. Among the eight in this grid, I would look first at the Louis Vuitton Limited Edition Monogram Rubis Salina Tote GM, the Richard Prince x Louis Vuitton Limited Edition Monogram and the Yayoi Kusama x Louis Vuitton Red Infinity Dots Keepall.

 

Pick the one with the artist you admire most. For more one-off pieces, The One-of-a-Kind Edit has the wider picture.

Limited-edition collaborations

How to start a Louis Vuitton collection

Start with one artist or one color. That keeps a collection focused and makes it easier to know when you have found the right piece.

 

Then carry it often. Louis Vuitton built its name on bags that travel, and even the most collectible ones look better when they are in use. Whatever you pick, read the listing closely and wear it often.