I've been spotlighting especially good "Ask Seller a Question" emails that we've been asked by our buyers.  This is a good one.  It's one that we get quite a bit, and one that we read mis-information on in some of the guides that are floating around out there on the WWW.

Dear fashionphile,

I thought LV never stitched over the initials. I am not trying to second guess you I am just curious. Is it because it is vintage?

This is the back side of that wallet.  (You can see where the LV monogram referenced in the email has been stitched through...)

It's true that the designers and creative forces dreaming up each Louis Vuitton piece are not only thoughtful in the the physical shape and practicality of each piece... but they are very particular about the way that the Louis Vuitton monogram aligns and is showcased in relation to that shape.

Take a look at the front of any Louis Vuitton monogram piece.  The placement of the monogram (the LV's, pointed fleurs and quatrefoils) is very deliberate.  The monogram is symetrical from left to right and often from top to bottom.

Not only that... but the pattern is obviously strategically laid out in such a way that seams, or cuts aren't made to go "through" the LVs in the monogram.

However, there are exceptions to this general rule.

1)  In small leather goods.  Like wallets, or pochettes- anything that is a small shape, and that uses one continual piece of monogram.  Sometimes, the size of the object doesn't allow for symetry on both sides.  And in fact, the size often requires a seam to "go through the LV's" in the monogram.  This will not be the case on the FRONT VIEW of the item.  So look at the front of the wallet, the front of the pochette- and you'll see no cut LVs.  The story is different on the back.

2)  In physical designs that aren't condusive.  For whatever reason, the physical shape of an object will require that the LV's be slightly cut through.  This is true, for example on many of the Elllipse styles and sizes.  Like this Louis Vuitton Ellipse MM:

3. In some vintage pieces.  For whatever reason, historically, this rule hasn't been as important with Louis Vuitton.  You'll find pieces all the way up through the 70's, 80's and 90's with seams through the LV's and can find hard cases and trunks that go back farther than that with the same effect.  Take a look at this piece of early 80's French Company for Louis Vuitton luggage- the corners of the front flap, in particular:

Anyway- what I'm saying here is that there is not a "hard and fast" rule about seams or cuts going through the monogram placement.  There's a general rule of symetry- but you have to keep in mind the intent of the design (symetry in the front view, may require a cut on the back, for example.)

You asked!