Did you know Louis Vuitton has different names for their materials?
Louis Vuitton forever changed luggage design in the 1850s with his ingenious flat-top trunk. But runaway success came with a price: the market quickly became saturated with counterfeit LV pieces. To stay ahead, Georges Vuitton created the Damier canvas, and not long after, the now-iconic Monogram.
Decades have gone by, and these two iconic designs remain inseparable from the legendary French house, often leaving collectors in a delightful dilemma of which one to call their favorite.
For those who live and breathe luxurious Louis Vuitto goods, this is the ultimate breakdown of the maison’s numerous coated canvas styles. And who knows—with this cheat sheet in hand, you may just impress the boutique staff with your insider knowledge. Screenshot now, thank yourself later!
Monogram
The iconic Monogram is what most people instantly associate with Louis Vuitton.
(Courtesy of Pinterest)
Back in 1896, Georges Vuitton sketched out the now-iconic “L” and “V” intertwined with floral motifs—a clever move to give his family’s travel cases an unmistakable identity.
More than a century on, the Monogram has seen playful updates and creative twists, yet the material beneath it remains true to its roots: Louis Vuitton’s timeless coated canvas.
The Maison has created unique names for most of its Monogram-coated canvas designs. Below is a simple illustration to help you tell them apart:
- Popular Monogram products: Speedy, Keepall, Neverfull, Alma, Noé, Papillon, OnTheGo, Pochette Métis, Dauphine, Loop, Palm Springs Backpack, and Sac Plat.
Damier
Damier is the checkered cousin of Monogram, and it actually came first in the Vuitton story!
(Courtesy of Pinterest)
Before the Monogram ever took over the fashion world, Georges Vuitton had already created Damier (literally “checkerboard” in French) back in 1888. Though it faded into the archives for a while, Damier roared back in the ’90s with the launch of Damier Ebène, and it hasn’t left the spotlight ever since.
Today, the checkered family has grown to include Damier Azur, Damier Graphite, and even the embossed leather of Damier Infini, appearing on classics like the Neverfull, Speedy, and Alma, as well as sleek Damier wallets and accessories.
Each Damier design in the LV world comes with its own unique name. Take a look at this easy breakdown to help you recognize them at a glance:
- Popular Damier products: Speedy, Neverfull, Alma, Keepall, Pochette Accessoires, Eva, Félicie Pochette, Croisette, Siena, Trevi, Hampstead, Bloomsbury, and Berkeley.
Beyond Monogram and Damier—What Else Does LV Offer?
Epi leather is one of the house’s underrated icons, but it’s also among the most stylish.
(Courtesy of Louis Vuitton)
While Monogram and Damier are the instantly recognizable stars, Louis Vuitton’s canvas world goes far beyond those two icons. Seasonal shifts and the vision of each creative director bring forward new designs, each adding its own distinct character to the storied French house.
Epi leather, for example, is an underrated classic that Vogue has singled out as a smart choice. Defined by its signature micro-ridged texture and a subtle LV mark, it first appeared on luggage in the 1920s before being revived in the ’80s. Over the years, it’s been reimagined in countless shades and transformed into everything from structured backpacks to elegant wallets.
Sleek, durable, and touchably smooth, Epi is the kind of understated luxury that makes even die-hard Monogram fans rethink their loyalties.
What sets Epi leather apart is its remarkable durability—something even Vogue’s fashion directors swear by. “I have to admit that I’m very tough on my bags and don’t treat them with the respect they deserve,” Virginia Smith wrote. “However, in the case of my LV Epi, I don’t need to be. Despite years of my neglect, my silver ‘boite’ still looks perfect.”
Treat Yourself to Authentic (And Affordable!) LV Coated Canvas
ZenLuxe offers a wide selection of original, pre-loved Louis Vuitton pieces.
Coated canvas is iconic for a reason. After all, who needs to overthink an outfit when a luxurious Louis Vuitton is in hand? The price tag, though, doesn’t always feel as effortless.
To sidestep the less glamorous side of LV, look to what’s trending in the luxury scene right now: Second-hand, otherwise known as pre-loved, fashion.
A pre-loved Louis Vuitton Monogram Rose Neverfull Tote from the Stephen Sprouse collaboration is available now on ZenLuxe.
ZenLuxe, headquartered in Japan, offers vintage luxury enthusiasts a curated selection of original Louis Vuitton pieces at a fraction of their original retail price.
For you, that means owning the same original luxury—enhanced with the character of a well-loved life—while stretching your budget further to collect even more Louis Vuitton.
Enjoy a seamless shopping experience from anywhere in the world—your LV order will be handled with care by our Osaka-based team and sent straight to your doorstep.
- An added bonus of going pre-loved Louis Vuitton? Value. According to Vogue, OnTheGo not only retained 97% of its resale price but eventually climbed to 106% in the secondhand market. Echoing the tremendous success of the Neverfull, LV’s OnTheGo proves that a timeless tote will never go out of style!
About The Writer
Meet Mariam — a fashion writer who lives and breathes all things vogue and glamour. For her, the most therapeutic aspect of fashion goes beyond simply shopping for the latest styles that appear in stores; it’s fully experiencing this glamorous world from the little details to the big moments (there's nothing quite like the thrill of flipping through a sleek fashion magazine, is there?).
