The Never to be Forgotten Louis Vuitton Damier Rabbit Fur Vest and the History of the Damier Canvas

Multiple Releases

The first time Louis Vuitton released the fur vest was in 2006.  That version of the vest did not include the Damier print.  The Louis Vuittion Damier vest released in 2009 in limited quantities.  The vest was reversible with rabbit fur on one side and Damier on the other side.  The following photos show the 2006 release of the vest which did not include the Damier canvas.

Rabbit Fur

The masterpiece was $5,000.  Despite the high price of the vest, rabbit fur is cheaper than other animals’ skins therefore the fashion industry has been using it more often in an attempt to attract new customers.  I am certain that PETA had a fit but numerous celebrities have been spotted wearing the vest.  The photo below shows the brown version of the vest:

The Damier Canvas

The Damier canvas refers to the checkerboard print seen on a large amount of Louis Vuitton items.  Louis Vuitton and his son, Georges Vuitton, designed the Damier canvas in 1888.  In 1889, it was presented at the World’s Fair in Paris.  The Damier canvas originally released in 1896.  In 1996, it was reintroduced and renamed Damier Ebène.  The original design included small brown and beige alternating squares.

Damier Graphite

The Damier Graphite, the black/grey masculine version of the canvas, released in 2008.  The Damier Graphite was the first Louis Vuitton line solely dedicated to men.

Stamped and Approved

Louis Vuitton had not previously patented his creation but his son had different plans.  The pieces that used the Damier canvas featured the inscription: “L. Vuitton registered trademark”.  This marked the first time that any Louis Vuitton item was ever patented.

Celebrity Approval

Many celebrities approved the Louis Vuitton creation.  Celebrities that have been spotted in the vest include:

Rapper, Fabolous

Singer, Justin Bieber

Former Professional Basketball Player, Allen Iverson

Boxer, Floyd Mayweather

Damier Cobalt

In 2014, the Damier canvas reinvented itself once again releasing in the Cobalt (deep blue) colorway.  A Louis Vuitton Cobalt Damier Fur vest would be an unforgettable.  The fur would look great in that deep blue, and a Carolina blue LV logo would compliment the Cobalt well.