Everything you need to know about Louis Vuitton x Takashi Murakami

The brand, which is currently led by creative director Pharrell Williams, highlights this end of year the arrival of the Louis Vuitton x Murakami - in a fun re-edition that reinterprets the original collection. Under the creative direction of Marc Jacobs, the collection was originally launched in 2002. It can be said that it is one of the most successful partnerships in fashion history: not only did it redefine the concept of luxury, but it also profoundly influenced the culture of the early 2000s. At the time, Jacobs was trying to modernize the brand, exploring new frontiers through art.

"It was time to do something radically new. We wanted to bring art to fashion in a way never seen before," Jacobs stated in an interview at the time. Murakami then reinterpreted the iconic LV monogram and created a series of collections. Now, 22 years after the initial launch, the brand announced on its Instagram that the collaboration with Takashi will return to boutiques starting January 1, 2025, with a re-edition.

The maison, as one of the world's influential brands, has built a reputation with timeless designs and a unique approach to craftsmanship and detail, standing out as a reference for elegance and innovation. Over time, the French brand has redefined the luxury market's trajectory and expanded its ideals by collaborating with major names in the art and culture world, such as Takashi Murakami. The artist, recognized for his "Superflat" style, which merges elements of pop culture with traditional visual arts, brought a vibrant and innovative perspective to contemporary art. With a mix of animes and mangas that carry social and historical critiques, the artist stood out by developing pieces that transition between the commercial and conceptual, becoming a key figure in significant collaborations in the fashion universe.

Although this partnership may seem recent due to the modernity stamped on the collection, it did not begin today; on the contrary, it started in 2003 when the brand was still led by Marc Jacobs. With an invitation to reinterpret the classic monogram of the brand, the artist shined in the brand's eyes with his creativity, transforming the brand's logo by applying multicolored palettes and playing with personifications using flowers, in addition to adding iconic Japanese characters.

This entire project sparked a new gaze from the public, capturing the attention mainly of young people. And as time went on, the collaboration became a significant aspect of the brand, highlighting in limited editions bags, accessories, scenarios, and visual elements that referenced the partnership in the fashion shows.

One of the most striking launches of this partnership highlights the bags with the multicolored monogram and the "Cherry Blossom Collection", which combined the softness of cherry blossoms with the playful style typical of Murakami. These creations quickly became coveted objects and are still considered icons of a golden age for collaborations in the luxury sector.

The impact of this collaboration transcended the fashion bubble and caught the media's attention, to the extent that Murakami's work with Louis Vuitton began to be incorporated into pop culture, as seen in music videos and films, expanding the brand's visibility. This partnership also led the brand to open a range of other new collaborations with smaller and contemporary artists, reaffirming LV's unique vision as an innovative and timeless brand.

This partnership not only redefined traditional aspects of luxury fashion, but also showed how the influence of various cultures and individuals, such as the union of the artist with a brand, creates collections with striking concepts that become unique and relevant references in the global scene.

THE REEDITION

A wide range of leather goods and iconic accessories from Louis Vuitton such as bags, scarves, sunglasses, accessories, shoes, and perfumes will be available. The creation of each of them is shaped by advancements in technology that, along with manual work, allows for greater definition in applications, with more vivid colors and heightened precision of each character and theme from Murakami.

The Monogram Multicolore pattern, its intertwined motifs, and the iconic flower in 33 colors adorn the Keepall, Coussin, Dauphine, OnTheGo, and Speedy bags, as well as belts, wallets, luggage, and travel accessories. The LV Hands print is presented on Alma BB bags and on a silk scarf. The Superflat Panda illustration adorns sneakers, keychains, and a skateboard; Superflat Garden illustrates perfume bottles and Capucines bags. Meanwhile, the Cherry Blossom pattern is featured on Papillon bags, sandals, and the Courrier Lozine 1 10 Fleurs trunk.

The re-edition will be celebrated in window displays and pop-ups, in addition to a campaign. Its official launch will be on January 3, 2025, with a second chapter released in March 2025 that will focus on the Cherry Blossom pattern.

CHAPTER 1

The 20th-anniversary commemorative re-edition of the collaboration is reinterpreted in over 170 creations from the Maison, ranging from bags to belts, a skateboard, and a custom-made Malle Wardrobe trunk containing 33 Speedy bags. The Monogram Multicolore of 33 colors, considered the central pattern of the original collaboration, is applied using state-of-the-art digital printing across a full range of creations.

The White Monogram Multicolore is presented on a white background on the following bags: Dauphine Soft, OnTheGo, Venice, Speedy 25, Alma BB; in leather goods including Vanity Pouch, Nano Diane, Nano Speedy; and in a range of additional trunks and other creations, such as belts, wallets, sunglasses, and silk scarves.

The same pattern on a black background, Black Monogram Multicolore, is presented on OnTheGo bags and Speedy 30 Soft, a variety of luggage and travel accessories, leather goods including Nano Speedy, caps, wallets, sunglasses, shoes, and silk scarves.

The Superflat Panda is presented on OnTheGo PM Chain and Alma BB bags, in leather goods and travel bags, including the Keepall 45 and the Mini Square Trunk.

A selection of perfumes is also highlighted: the Superflat Garden and Superflat Panda adorn the bottles of the fragrances Attrape-Rêves and Imagination.