Louis Vuitton has made an indelible mark on the fashion world for over a century, producing iconic handbags like the Speedy, Alma, and Noé for generations. But the French house’s most successful bag, the Neverfull, debuted in just 2007. How did this everyday tote come to be one of the most recognizable luxury handbags, and why should you buy it on resale?
A Brief History of Louis Vuitton
Before we can talk about the Neverfull, a product of the 21st century, we have to go back to the 19th. When Louis Vuitton was a teenager he walked from his hometown to Paris, a journey that took him over two years. Upon arriving in 1837 Vuitton began apprenticing for Monsieur Maréchal, a prominent trunk maker. Vuitton took to the trade, and left in 1854 to open his own workshop in Paris.
Louis Vuiton revolutionized travel with his invention of the flat lidded trunk. Unlike the domed lid travel trunks of the time, Vuitton’s flat lidded trunk could be stacked and, because of the Trianon canvas they were made from, were lightweight and airtight. In 1886 Louis’ son Georges improved the classic trunk with a patented single lock system. Georges was so confident in the effectiveness of the lock that he publicly challenged Harry Houdini to escape from a locked Louis Vuitton box (Houdini did not respond). Though the Tumbler lock was not escape-artist tested, it did successfully prevent theft, and is still used by Louis Vuitton today.
Georges Vuitton is responsible for another iconic brand signature. In 1896 he introduced the Louis Vuitton monogram, a pattern designed to prevent counterfeits. The monogram consists of interlocking LV initials, quatrefoils, and flowers. This monogram, splashed on trunks, handbags, and much more, has remained a symbol of luxury for over a century.
The Introduction of the Neverfull
Louis Vuitton continued to innovate the luxury handbag industry throughout the 20th century, updating their travel trunks with the Keepall duffle and introducing now-classic bags like the Speedy and Noé. The 21st century brought the It Bag craze to new heights -- with the massive popularity of logo-heavy handbags, Louis Vuitton and their classic monogram were set up for success. Emphasizing their iconic logo and reworking it with a series of successful collaborations, Louis Vuitton entered the new millennium on top.
In 2007, Louis Vuitton introduced the Neverfull. A durable, scratch-resistant, and waterproof coated canvas tote bag with leather handles and a zipped pocket, the Neverfull is the perfect combination of form and function. Customers agreed, and the immediate popularity of the Neverfull spurred Louis Vuitton to produce Damier Ebene and Damier Azur versions. Eventually, the Neverfull would also be released in myriad colors of Epi leather and enjoy numerous limited edition runs.
The Neverfull comes in three sizes -- the PM, or Petit Modele, MM, or Moyen Modele, and the GM, or Grande Modele. True to its name, the Neverfull can store a shocking amount of items, and the GM size can hold up to 200 pounds! In addition to carrying all of your daily essentials (and then some), the Neverfull can be easily transformed. The side laces can be cinched together to create a trapezoidal shape, giving the bag a new look. The Neverfull is also completely reversible, and can be flipped inside-out to reveal the contrasting interior. The Neverfull’s adaptability makes it a true workhorse among luxury bags.
Stephen Sprouse Graffiti Neverfull
Neverfull Collaborations
Louis Vuitton has a long history of collaborating with artists, and the Neverfull’s size and simple silhouette make it the ideal canvas. The famed Stephen Sprouse collaboration, first introduced in 2001, was reissued in 2009. The Graffiti Neverfull showcases Sprouse’s street-style designs, and the rare Roses collection, based on a sketch Sprouse drew while working with then-creative director Marc Jacobs, pays tribute to the late artist. In 2012 Louis Vuitton collaborated with Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, creating the Waves Neverfull which expertly combined the brand’s classic monogram with Kusama’s surrealist pop art. The 2017 collaboration with Jeff Koons explicitly demonstrated Louis Vuitton’s love of the art world. Using imagery from Koons’ “Gazing Ball” series, which reproduced classic paintings with a modern art twist, the Masters collection put famous works of art directly onto the Neverfull, with exaggerated LV logos refashioned to reflect Koons’ own initials.
Louis Vuitton also used the Neverfull as a nod to the brand’s past. In 2020 creative director Nicolas Ghesquière introduced the Since 1854 Neverfull, crafted from wallpaper-inspired jacquard printed with the year the brand was founded. Likewise, the 2018 Summer Trunks Neverfulls are designed to look like Louis Vuitton’s classic travel trunks, and the Patches collection pays homage to the old-fashioned travel patches that once adorned luggage.
Since 1854 Neverfull
Why to Buy the Neverfull on Resale
Because Louis Vuitton continually releases limited edition versions of the Neverfull, the best place to buy your ideal bag is through luxury resale. Whether you are looking for a Neverfull in classic monogram, Epi leather, or a rare version from a capsule collection, Luxury Garage Sale has you covered. Browse our selection today, or contact a personal shopper if you have a specific style in mind.
Luxury Garage Sale is an upscale resale company specializing in high-end women’s fashion from designers like Chanel, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton. Authenticity and excellent service are always guaranteed. Shop handbags, shoes, clothing, and more at up to 90% off retail prices.
