Louis Vuitton Tivoli Handbags
Named after the historic Italian town, the Louis Vuitton Tivoli is elegantly rounded at the top, structured at the bottom and spacious on the inside. Thanks to features such as pleats, prominent brass hardware, a wide leather trim and an LV medallion charm, the Tivoli is one of the most distinctive Louis Vuitton (LV) handbags ever made. There are two Tivoli sizes to choose from, and this style is exclusively fashioned in the iconic LV Monogram canvas. While LV discontinued the Tivoli, pre-owned Tivoli handbags are readily available on the secondary market.
Tivoli Design and Features
The Tivoli purse is feminine, and its unique shape stands out from other LV handbags. Prized for its curvy silhouette and flurry of embellishments, Louis Vuitton Tivoli bags include the following features:
- LV Monogram coated canvas exterior
- Brown canvas lining interior with pockets
- Leather piping
- Brass hardware
- Curved zipper at the top that closes all the way
- Thick Vachetta leather trim around the zipper
- LV medallion zipper pull
- Wide opening
- Rolled double top handles
- Vachetta leather tab on both sides, in between the handles, with LOUIS VUITTON PARIS heat-stamp on one side
- Inverted pleating on both sides
- Five protective brass feet and yellow X stitching on the bottom
- Made in France or the U.S.
Fans of the Tivoli Louis Vuitton handbag often cite the dangling LV charm zip pull as one of their favorite design details. Not only does it help open and close the bag, but it also adds a stylish ornament—and many owners say they love the sound of the medallion striking against the bag.
The Tivoli Petite Modele Versus the Tivoli Grand Modele
The LV Tivoli was produced in two sizes (length x height x width):
- Louis Vuitton Tivoli PM: 14.2 x 8.3 x 6.3 inches
- Louis Vuitton Tivoli GM: 18.1 x 11 x 7.9 inches
In addition to size, handle structure differentiates the Tivoli Petite Modele (PM) and Grand Modele (GM). The PM has short handles secured to the bag via four D-rings and chaps, and each chap is punctuated with a single rivet. As a result of the shorter strap length, the Tivoli PM is typically worn as a handheld bag. Conversely, the Tivoli GM has adjustable belt-like straps–each with five holes–that fasten to the bag by a tang buckle. The four ends of the straps are held in place by additional leather pieces, each pierced with two rivets. As a result, the Tivoli GM offers more versatility than the PM because the purse can be worn on your shoulder or carried in the crook of your elbow or your hand.
The GM Tivoli also benefits from the addition of a D-ring inside the bag, so you can hook an item like a Louis Vuitton key pouch or key chain to it. Finally, the GM has three interior pockets while the PM only has two.
Louis Vuitton introduced some design modifications to the Tivoli over the years. For instance, earlier models featured one smaller cell phone pocket–sized to accommodate the mobile phones that were popular at that time–next to a medium pocket. Around 2011, Louis Vuitton updated the interior to house two equally sized flat pockets on one side. And older models of the Louis Vuitton Tivoli GM feature the date code inside the pocket, while newer ones place it next to the D-ring inside the bag. In Tivoli PM models, the date code is always located inside the pocket.
Louis Vuitton Tivoli Materials and Craftsmanship
Louis Vuitton only ever made the Tivoli in the famed Monogram canvas material. As is customary for LV Monogram bags, the Tivoli sports untreated Vachetta cowhide-leather trim, which takes on a rich patina over time. In fact, the Tivoli purse is noted for its prominent leather accents, from the thick trim under the closure to the oversized chaps and strap loops.
Both the Tivoli PM and Tivoli GM are crafted from one continuous canvas piece, so the monogram pattern is upside down on one side. The upside-down side is home to the blank leather tab, while the right-side-up surface features the LOUIS VUITTON PARIS heat-stamped leather tab. The inside of the Louis Vuitton Monogram Tivoli features brown canvas lining, and the date code tag sewn to the interior fabric uses the same Vachetta leather as the outside.
The Tivoli boasts the type of impeccable attention to detail and craftsmanship we’ve come to expect from Louis Vuitton. The rivets are embossed with the Louis Vuitton name, the stitching is flawless and the coated monogram canvas is durable and lightweight. The five studs on the base of the Tivoli help prevent the bottom from getting scratched and dirty. These are just a few hallmarks of a real Louis Vuitton handbag.
Louis Vuitton Tivoli Price, Value and Collectibility
When the Tivoli made its debut, it quickly became a sought-after Louis Vuitton purse. Boutiques often sold out of the model, and customers eagerly added their names to months-long waitlists to receive their new Tivoli bags. Louis Vuitton discontinued the Tivoli collection in 2014, and the last official prices were:
- Louis Vuitton Monogram Canvas Tivoli PM Bag: $1,500
- Louis Vuitton Monogram Canvas Tivoli GM Bag: $1,960
The Tivoli remains one of the most popular pre-owned Louis Vuitton models, collected by LV enthusiasts everywhere. Today, it is not uncommon for used Tivoli handbags in immaculate condition to resell above their last retail prices.
In early 2021, pre-owned authentic Tivoli PM handbags in good condition sold for between $1,500 and $2,300 on eBay. GM models in good condition fetched a bit more: $2,000 to $2,500.
Those willing to accept some wear and tear were able to add a Tivoli to their collection for much less, snagging the PM for as little as $240 and the GM model for just $300.