It took me two weeks to cut into my first Louis Vuitton bag.
Yes, two full weeks.
I had spent good money on this piece, and there it sat on my work table—glaring at me with all its polished perfection and rich, iconic monogram. There was something sacred about it. Like cutting into a Rembrandt.
I finally worked up the courage to make that first cut—and I’m so glad I did.
What’s Inside a Louis Vuitton Bag? A Look at the Craftsmanship
We often think of a Louis Vuitton bag as a fashion statement (and it is). But inside? It's an architectural marvel. That first bag revealed layer after layer of quality—double-stitched piping, heat-sealed edges.
Even the way the hardware was riveted—each element perfectly aligned—told a story of old-world construction paired with modern luxury standards. It gave me a deep respect not just for the look of Louis Vuitton, but for the engineering behind it.
From First Cut to Confidence: How Vintage LV Luggage Changed Everything
Just a few months after that first experiment, I found myself wandering through an antique market—and stumbled upon what can only be described as a vintage jackpot: 10 Louis Vuitton luggage pieces. All authentic. All worn, loved, and full of history.
I bought them on the spot.
That moment gave me the confidence to experiment—really experiment—with our upcycled designs. Garment bags became our favorite to source because they offer the most usable material, including long strips of monogram canvas.
With every bag we touched, our respect for LV’s quality deepened. And so did our process.
Our 5-Step Process to Deconstruct a Louis Vuitton Bag
Today, our Production Manager has turned deconstruction into a near-science.
With years of experience, she’s developed a technique that allows us to preserve—and repurpose—as much as 95% of the original Louis Vuitton bag canvas. Our 5 steps are:
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Identify all usable panels
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Carefully remove piping and zippers
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Preserve branded elements
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Clean and condition materials
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Handcraft into new, purposeful designs
One wrong cut, and an entire panel can become unusable. That’s why we take our time—using exacto blades, heat tools, and even hand-snips to work around the bag’s tight curves and reinforced seams.
Our team has mastered the art of upcycled Louis Vuitton transformations—turning high-end bags into everyday pieces with purpose.
But Here’s Something Most People Don’t Know…
It’s been widely reported that Louis Vuitton and other luxury fashion houses have destroyed unsold inventory in past years to maintain brand exclusivity and avoid deep discounting or unauthorized reselling. While LV no longer publicly confirms this practice, it’s a known tactic in the luxury world—one that feels deeply at odds with the values of sustainability and circular design.
At Beaudin, we believe in rescuing what others discard. And in doing so, we create pieces that not only stand out—but stand for something.
Because when you carry a Beaudin, you’re carrying purpose.
You’re choosing craftsmanship, sustainability, and freedom. Freedom for the woman who handcrafted it. Freedom from waste. And freedom to express your own story—with style.
Want to give your own bag a new story? Learn more about our Upcycle My Bag service.
Thanks for taking a peek behind the seams.
