The Louis Vuitton Artsy
Slouchy, hobo chic: That’s the appeal of Louis Vuitton’s Artsy bag, which is now in its 11th year of production with the French fashion house. Originally debuted in 2010 with model Lara Stone in a spring/summer campaign, this handbag quickly became a favorite and has since seen a remodel in its design, making the original version even more attractive to collectors.
Why the Louis Vuitton Artsy Is So Popular
Size matters in the case of the Louis Vuitton Artsy, and its capacious interior has been a selling point since day one. This bag offers a sophisticated design that can keep everything safely and spaciously tucked away, be it a plus-size cell phone and a large wallet or a day calendar and diapers.
Add to that the fact that the Artsy is known for its superior comfort, and you have a win/win luxury handbag. Thanks to its leather braided handle—which is a bit thicker on the GM versus the MM model—the bag’s weight is dispersed across the shoulder, making it ideal for day-to-night wear. The takeaway: You don’t have to sacrifice style for support with this Louis Vuitton bag.
Why the Louis Vuitton Artsy Is a Collector Favorite
Louis Vuitton collectors will be well aware that this roomie handbag was originally designed without a Vachetta trim at the top. While giving the Artsy a crisp, clean look, some believe the bag was redesigned–with the addition of a Vachetta trim–to avoid canvas cracking. No longer available in this style from the designer itself, you can only find the original Artsy on the pre-owned market. Of course, the new and improved Artsy can also be found on eBay, too, but it’s the original version that tends to draw collectors looking for a one-of-a-kind discontinued piece.
Louis Vuitton Favorite Measurements and Materials
At the start of 2021, the original Artsy model was available new from Louis Vuitton in MM and GM sizes and in Monogram canvas, Damier Azur canvas and Monogram Empreinte. The former two feature the Vachetta trim, while the Monogram Empreinte embossed leather does not.
However, for those looking for a more unique piece, you may also find an Artsy in its original iteration in the classic Monogram Canvas, Damier Azur and Monogram Empreinte in burgundy, papyrus, cream, ombre and black on eBay.
The MM is 16 x 6.75 x 12.5 inches with a 5.5-inch drop. The GM, on the other hand, is 19.7 x 14.1 x 9.8 inches with a 6-inch drop. The interior includes one zip pocket and six flat pockets, so there’s plenty of space to hide your valuables or important identification and credentials.
There isn’t a top enclosure on the Artsy, which means things can fall out if you’re not careful. It doesn’t have hidden magnets to close the bag, either.
The Artsy hardware is gold and includes four protective bottom studs at the base of the bag to keep the leather from resting entirely on any given surface. Two large rings hold the single handle in place within four circular grommets at either end of the handbag. These grommets rest above the bag’s pleated pockets, which give it its roomie feel. Then there’s the signature key fob and D ring that hangs from the leather strap on one of the circular attachments. This useful item, which looks like a charm from a distance, can easily hold keys and then be tucked into the bag for safe keeping. If this leather accessory appears short and only hangs halfway down the bag, that could be an indication that the bag is not authentic.
Collectors should also look for the date code. The date code, which indicates when the bag was made, can be found on the fabric of the lining inside one of the wall pockets, not on a small leather tag. This discrete placement can be hard to find, but note the date will not be painted in a darker color.
Artsy Value and Collectability
The Louis Vuitton Artsy is a must-have for anyone looking to include a versatile tote to their LV collection. In early 2021 the resale market for pre-owned Artsy MM bags generally started on eBay at a minimum of $1,000 and quickly rose from there. For example, a Monogram Empreinte MM in like-new condition sold on eBay for more than $2,500.
Given how much owners enjoy using their Artsy bags, finding a pre-loved model in excellent shape will become harder and harder, only increasing the value of these classic hobo chic bags–something investors should consider when beginning their Louis Vuitton Artsy handbag search.