*Updated Dec 2023* Designed by Gaston Louis Vuitton as a special order for Coco Chanel in 1925, this now iconic bag debuted to the public in 1934. It was the second handbag designed by the luxury fashion house, after the Speedy. Chanel asked for a dome handbag, which she could use on a daily basis.
Debuting as the “Squire Bag” this history-rich accessory was created into a thinner version, known as the “Champs Élysées” in 1955. Shortly, the “Champs Élysées” was discontinued, and the Squire was reincarnated into the “Alma” in 1992.
The name Alma pays homage to the Place De L’alma, where the Seine and Rue Montaigne meet. This place raises a fond memory with me – my friend and I attended a Women @ Dior event on Avenue Montaigne (check out my Dior Diaries here), and then needed to get to our hotel for the evening… the day of the rail strikes, no taxis and a *lot* of rain. We brought the British weather with us, and trekked to our hotel for 2 hours on foot… to say we were drenched is an understatement.
FEATURES
This curvy architectural bag is a truly chic and versatile piece. The dome shape, much like a half moon with a flat base, with two curvy leather handles (the “Toron”) creates an iconic silhouette.
What I love about this bag is that the double zip curves all the way round the circumference, and isn’t just placed at the top end of the bag. This feature increasing the ease of accessibility to inside the bag, meaning that you can easily place items into the bag and find your items when out and about. Inside, there’s a large storage compartment and two smaller side pockets which are great for slotting keys and your cardholder.
The 4 protective metal feet of the bag increase its durability and ensure that the bag sits still when placed to rest. The leather tag (“Clochette”) and padlock add a touch of mystery. LV also have the option of complimentary hot stamping of the leather tag – I’d recommend to add this personal touch to your bags! As a fashion house with deep roots in luxury luggage, this bespoke hot-stamping is a lovely way to add your mark to your Louis Vuitton luggage collection.
MATERIALS
The Alma BB in Damier Ebene Canvas is on my wishlist – the dark chocolate-y brown chequered board creates a further luxurious feel to the bag. The interior is a gorgeous bright red, adding further allure to this piece. I also love the BB size as its super versatile. Team with an elegant black dress, short light brown fur jacket and Louboutin heels for a date night look. Add the detachable strap and pair with black calfskin leather Chanel espadrilles, a cropped black leather jacket, and The Iconic Black Skort and cute top for a relaxed yet polished daytime running errands look.
Images courtesy of Louis Vuitton.
Further information found on the LV website here.
The Monogram Canvas is another iconic LV print. However, unlike the Damier Ebene Canvas, the bottom is not treated, and so the damier is more durable in that respect.
The Alma also is available in Epi-leather. The Guimauve is a beautiful shade and I can imagine it being a delicate addition to a spring outfit.
Other materials include the Monogram Vernis (a shiny, polished bag) and exotic skins, including Ostrich and Crocodile.
Alma PM in Black Epi-leather (£1,780) here.
Alma BB in Monogram Canvas (£1,220) here.
Alma BB in Monogram Vernis (£1,550) here.
CRUISE 2024
Creative Director Nicolas Ghesquiere truly has injected a punch of fun colour and style to the Alma line through his aquatic-themed Cruise 2024 collection. Set on Lake Maggiore’s Borromeo Palace, the dreamy Cruise 2024 collection transports you to a whimsical fantasy land, and evokes images of mythical aquatic creatures.
Ghesquiere introduces thick quilting to the Alma, and combined with the pastel colours of “Rosabella” pink and “Lagoon” blue, evokes the pearlescent magical scales on mermaids. The thick quilted pattern creates a structured bag, making it durable and adding a powerful touch to outfits. Whilst the traditional Alma is created from light canvas, this Cruise Alma is created from lambskin, creating a soft, irresistible texture.
When I saw the intriguing pink bag on the shelf, I was instantly drawn to it. When you look closer, you can see that the “Rosabella” pink is hand-painted ombre – this further adds to the three-dimensional quilted tactile effect. The light pink and aquatic blue are complemented by gold hardware, further adding a luxurious aura. Although pink, this “Rosabella” bag complements neutral beige and black outfits well, injecting a delicate touch of colour whilst remaining refined. The gorgeous “Lagoon” Blue nano bag is a stunning piece as a summer date night bag. My Wishlist has expanded!
SIZES
The Alma comes in X sizes, and I personally love the small and quaint BB (the smallest size)
- Nano Alma – 18 x 12 cm (Currently Unavailable)
- Alma BB – 23.5 x 17.5 x 11.5 cm
- Alma PM – 32.0 x 25.0 x 16.0 cm
- Alma MM – 36.0 x 28.0 x 17.0 cm (Currently Unavailable)
- Alma GM – 38 x 28 x 18 cm
In 2010, a detachable strap was added to the Alma BB. This cute accessory increases the versatility of the bag – wear crossbody for grocery trips, or detach the strap for a cute date night bag. This size is the usual Alma, go-to. It can fit most daily essentials, and so is great for day to day use, as well as a small evening bag. It can fit a small wallet, keys, phone, and small water bottle (the ultimo daily essentials test).
In February 2019, the Alma BB in Damier was £850, but since then, luxury prices have suddenly skyrocketed and it is now valued at £1,220. The Epi-Leather Alma BB in Rose Ballerina was £1,090 back in February 2019, and now it retails for £1,360. Generally, the Vernis is slightly dearer than the Epi-Leather, which is slightly dearer than the canvas,
With luxury bag prices increasing over the last couple of years, (one only has to look at Chanel’s exponential hikes!), I wouldn’t be surprised if LV increases the price of their history-rich iconic Alma. With Valentino and fellow LVMH fashion house Dior pricing their similarly iconic smaller bags at around the £2,500 mark (see my Lady Did post here), Louis Vuitton certainly has the headroom for further price increases so I wouldn’t be surprised if the prices increase soon.
Current prices (July 2022) for the Damier < Epi-Leather < Vernis < Empreinte Leather are below. In brackets is the airport prices I found on a recent trip:
- Alma BB – £1,220 // £1,360 (£1,290) // £1,550 // £1,740
- Alma PM – £1,360 // £1,780 // . // £1,970
- Alma MM – £1,500
ALMA ART
The Alma has been reimagined by artists across the decades, elevating the bag into a truly artistic accessory. My favourite is Stephen Sprouse’s 2009 Graffiti Alma – a statement piece which would pair well with a little black dress and pointy patent heels. I found this beautiful Alma PM in a diluted peach graffiti colour on Farfetch for £1,513 (here). Again, for a limited edition piece, and considering that a new Alma PM is currently £1,360, this price is exceptional.
Takashi Murakami’s 2003 Alma is an iconic piece with a burst of colour – the monogram print features multicoloured LV and flower prints on a white canvas. It is available pre-owned on Luxury Promise (here) for £1,790 – I think this is an amazing price given that this is a limited edition piece not in production anymore. Regarding sizing, it is between a BB and PM, which retail for £1,220 and £1,360 brand new currently.
Marc Jacobs’ Fall/Winter 06/07 Louis Vuitton collection featured the glistening Monogram “Mirror Mirror” Alma GM in silver and gold. Designed by Sylvie Fleury and worn by Kim K and Paris Hilton, this bag may well command the highest Alma resale value. Debuting for $2.1K, they are now worth more than $6.5K.
I’ve also sourced this beautiful pre-loved 2015 Alma BB in a sky blue and peach combination. It’s a lovely summery bag to add a delicate pop of colour to a summer outfit – think a short flowy white dress and beige sandals on a summery day in Santorini.
ALMA PRE-LOVED
Here’s a selection of beautiful Almas in the resale market. I’ve sourced high quality Almas in the PM size (the larger size) for less than £1,000! This is a great way to purchase an Alma at a fraction of the current retail price, and helping the sustainability movement by giving these loved bags a new home.
What are your thoughts on the Alma? Which size and materials are your favourite? Let me know what’s on your handbag wishlist!
Lots of love, Jo xoxo
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