Fashion lovers everywhere know the names Louis Vuitton and Louboutin. While they sound similar, these two high-profile brands couldn’t be more different. Looking at Louis Vuitton vs Louboutin, they are both high-end companies producing much sought-after fashion, but they are very distinct companies.
The Beginnings of Louis Vuitton and Louboutin
When it comes to luxury brands, deciding which is more desired, Louis Vuitton versus Louboutin, it’s a toss-up.
They both have high brand recognition, but how did these companies reach such heights?
Louis Vuitton: The Legacy Began at Age 16
In 1821, a working-class family welcomed a son, Louis Vuitton. His father was a farmer and milliner. Hard work was an important part of his life growing up, and in 1837, Vuitton moved to Paris, France, and started working for a trunk maker.
He specialized in customizing trunks, which were in high demand by travelers, but by 1854, he had outgrown the apprenticeship and opened his own shop.
In 1858, Vuitton invented a rounded top steamer trunk that helped to combat issues with water getting into and damaging the contents.
Later, he altered his design to be more stackable, flattening the top and introducing waterproofing with Trianon canvas on the interior.
His son also invented a locking device that revolutionized the industry. By 1859, he had expanded his business and opened a workshop in Asnieres, which the company still uses as its headquarters.
In 1892, Louis Vuitton passed away, and his son Georges took over the company. The company changed hands again in 1936 when Georges died, and his son Gaston-Louis took over.
In 1970, After Gaston-Louis’s death, his son-in-law Henry Racamier began running the company. By the 1990s, the first non-family member, Yves Carcelle, was running Louis Vuitton.
Despite all the changes and the passing of time, Louis Vuitton remains true to its namesake and roots by producing unique and high-quality customized luggage with an LV monogram on each piece to pay homage to the founder.
Louboutin: The Birth of the Red Sole Was by Chance
Comparing Louis Vuitton vs Louboutin, an obvious similarity is that both brands are the names of the founders.
However, Christian Louboutin’s move into fashion was not as purposeful as Vuitton’s. When he was a pre-teen, Louboutin saw a sign forbidding stilettos because they damage wood flooring.
He was always a rather rebellious fellow, and this sign rubbed him the wrong way. He started designing crazy high heel shoes that would break all the rules.
Despite loving designing, Louboutin didn’t feel like he could ever turn his passion into a career. Instead, he began working in landscaping.
He didn’t think much more about designing shoes until an acquaintance pushed him back into his art. Louboutin had a friend who owned a shop in Paris and suggested that Louboutin begin designing again and open his own shop.
So, that is exactly what Louboutin did. He managed to make a name for himself within the fashion industry thanks to another odd situation.
Louboutin was not happy with the creations of his designs. He felt they were missing something and was quite frustrated.
Then, he noticed his assistant had a bottle of red nail polish. He grabbed it up and painted the bottoms of his shoes.
He instantly fell in love, and thus the famous red-bottoms were born.
Classic and Popular Products: Louis Vuitton vs Louboutin
Both Louis Vuitton and Louboutin are highly coveted within the fashion world. These brands exude luxury and high class. But they each have their distinct niche.
Louis Vuitton: Iconic and Luxiourous Bags and More
The Louis Vuitton brand focuses on selling luggage and bags with the LV monogram and distinct patterns. They also produce a range of bag accessories.
The company also sells men’s and women’s ready-to-wear clothing, including: coats, tops, pants, shorts, swimwear, denim, knitwear, t-shirt, polos, jackets, stoles, shawls…
The company branched out to include jewelry under the creative direction of Marc Jacobs in the 1990s. The first piece from the company was a charm bracelet.
Louis Vuitton shoes may not be as well-known as Louboutin’s, but the company sells everything from sneakers to pumps. The brand also offers: glasses, watches, perfumes, scarves, belts, key charms, hair accessories, home goods and tech accessories
Louboutin: High-Class Fashion House
When looking at the product lines, Louis Vuitton vs Louboutin look quite similar. They offer many of the same products.
Although where LV focuses on bags and luggage, Louboutin is all about shoes. The Louboutin brand stayed true to its roots producing the most sought-after women’s shoes with the trademarked red bottoms.
Beyond women’s shoes, the brand also has men’s footwear and, like competitor Louis Vuitton, sells handbags and purses.
The brand has items for men, women, kids, and pets. Products lines include: belts, bracelets, wallets, keychains…
The Christian Louboutin Beaute line has perfume, nail polish, and lipstick collections. The featured color for the nail and lip lines is Louboutin red.
Signature Styles That Made Them Legends
One of the standout features of each brand is its own unique style. Comparing Louis Vuitton vs Louboutin, you’ll see they each have one hallmark that will tell you an item comes from the brand.
Louis Vuitton: The Iconic Monogram and Eye-Catching Patterns
The signature of the Louis Vuitton brand is the famous monogram. The L overlaid on a V is a status symbol and is usually found with the four-point star, sun symbol, and diamond around the four-point star pattern.
The brand also is well-known for using the damier pattern. This checkered look has come out in a range of colors, but the two classics are the two-tone brown and the white and navy blue.
The company also uses a lot of leather, often with pressed stamps, embossing, or grain marks. The overall feel of Louis Vuitton bags and other lines is timeless sophistication. It exudes class and money.
Louboutin: Vibrant and Lively With Plenty of Color
Louboutin is all about the color red. The red bottoms on every shoe are non-negotiable. The brand is edgy and bold, but at the same time, it is sexy and glamorous.
This luxury fashion brand created an image that is flashy yet balanced. Sometimes, the Louboutin difference is just simple with a twist.
There is always something that stands out about Louboutin’s designs.
LV vs Louboutin: High-End Fashion Isn’t Cheap
If you want a bag from Louis Vuitton or a pair of Christian Louboutin heels, be ready to pay a lot. These are high-end luxury brands that come at premium prices.
Louis Vuitton: Luxury and Sought-After Elegance at a Premium Price
The strategy when pricing the LV brand is to protect exclusivity and to let shoppers know it isn’t for everyone.
To acquire these products, a person must have the means. The idea is anything coming from the brand is a luxury purchase.
Louis Vuitton knows its audience and targets pricing based on the line. At the same time, the company makes sure its products are worth the money.
The brand uses the highest quality materials and finest craftsmanship. It is not a manufacturing space churning out replicas.
The company pairs its high-quality goods with selective marketing and placement. The average cost for a Louis Vuitton handbag is $1,100 to $6,000.
Louboutin: Premium Pricing for High-Quality Craftsmanship and Design
Want to get your hands on Louboutin shoes or one of the brand’s luxury bags? You will need to be ready to spend big.
The average cost of a pair of red bottom high heels will run you between $650 to $6,000. The brand sells its products at premium prices because they are desirable and elite high fashion pieces.
Louboutin is lavish, cultured, and exclusive. It uses quality and exclusive materials combined with hand-crafting and attention to detail.
Christian Louboutin also values his work and considers his shoes a work of art and something unique and divine.
Louis Vuitton vs Louboutin: Celebrity Endorsements and Popularity
There is no denying that celebrities and the wealthy are all over these brands. When it comes to Louis Vuitton vs Louboutin, the rich and famous will take both.
Many red carpets have had Christian Louboutin shoes walk their lengths, and airports are a common place to see an LV bag jetting off to an exotic location or movie set.
Louis Vuitton: A-List Celebrities Are All Over This Brand
Louis Vuitton, despite being on the market for decades, remains trendy. The brand often dresses stars and collaborates with them to help boost the luxury aspect of the name.
When it comes to brand recognition, LV has it down. Classic celebrities, including Audrey Hepburn, Lauren Bacall, Coco Chanel, and Jackie Kennedy Onassis, have helped carry this brand into modern times.
Now, stars such as Kim Kardashian, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Gigi Hadid continue to step out with the brand’s bags on their arms.
In April 2023, Louis Vuitton has announced Zendaya as their newest house ambassador. The partnership marks a significant moment for Zendaya, who has previously worn Louis Vuitton on numerous red carpets and at high-profile events.
LV partnered with multiple other celebrities, including: Uma Thurman, Pharrell Williams, Annie Leibowitz, Sean Connery, Madonna, Sophia and Francis Ford Coppola, Kanye West and… Rihanna.
Louboutin: Walking the Red Carpet Continuously
Louboutin high heel footwear is a cult classic and an icon in the industry. They have been everywhere the rich and famous gather and have graced the feet of everyone who is anyone from Hollywood to Washington DC. Beyoncé has been spotted wearing Christian Louboutin shoes during her visits to London. In May 2023, she wore Louboutin pumps and a Michael Kors jumpsuit during her Renaissance Tour. She has also been seen wearing Louboutin glitter pumps, ankle boots, and nude heels during her trips to the city.
Fans of this brand include: Victoria Beckham, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jennifer Lopez, Danielle Steel, Nicki Minaj, Delena Gomez, Kerry Washington and Bella and Gigi Hadid.
Louboutin also collaborated with a couple of celebrities, including Gwyneth Paltrow and Idris Elba. The brand also had a highly publicized partnership with the French cabaret Crazy Horse Paris.
Louis Vuitton vs Louboutin FAQs
What is the difference between Louboutin and Louis Vuitton?
The main difference between Louis Vuitton vs Louboutin is LV is famous for its bags, and Louboutin shoes are its main seller.
Louis Vuitton vs Louboutin: Are red bottoms made by Louis Vuitton?
No, Louis Vuitton does not make red bottom shoes. Christian Louboutin is the designer who is most commonly associated with red bottoms, as his signature style includes shiny, red-lacquered soles on high-end stiletto footwear.