Takashi Murakami’s wildly popular designs have often extended far beyond the fine art world. His viral Louis Vuitton collaboration that first began in the mid-aughts triggered a sold-out line at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and was resurrected just this year with none other than mega-star Zendaya fronting the campaign.
Now, the Japanese art star is pivoting from the runway to the field, with a new limited edition collaboration with Major League Baseball for the upcoming Tokyo series that will highlight the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs teams, which are competing in the series.
Artists and major sports teams, once perceived of as strange bedfellows, are increasingly working together. In 2020, Daniel Arsham was tapped to serve as the artistic director for the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Brooklyn Nets have taken on collaborations with the estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat, and even hosted a special viewing of Andy Warhol’s portrait of Basquiat at the Barclay’s Center as part of a press junket ahead of a major sale at Christie’s in 2021.
A model wears an MLB x Takashi Murakami LA sweatshirt and hat. Image courtesy Takashi Murakami and MLB.
The new partnership celebrates the upcoming 2025 MLB Tokyo Series Presented by Guggenheim (March 18–19) that will take place at the Tokyo Dome between the defending World Series champion Dodgers and the Cubs.
According to a statement, the collection honors “the deep cultural connection between America’s favorite pastime and its influence in Japan.” Fans will have the chance to scoop up everything from eye-catching clothing, to Topps trading cards, New Era 59FIFTYs, knits and adjustable caps, Rawlings baseballs and gloves, Victus bats, totes, and keychains.
All of the products will be adorned with Murakami’s “iconic vibrant colors and playful motifs” that are so recognizably part of his Superflat oeuvre. Prices will range from around $45 for a baseball or tote bag, to $250 for, among other things, a special team jersey.
The collaboration, which was announced by lifestyle and culture platform Complex, will be released on March 7. The clothing will feature Murakami’s imagery on a wide array of exclusive products from sports platform Fanatics, including Nike MLB t-shirts and hoodies. There will be player-specific Nike MLB Limited jerseys for Dodgers players Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman; and Cubs players Shota Imanaga, Seiya Suzuki, and Dansby Swanson.
A gray hoodie with the LA Dodgers logo and one of Murakami’s signature characters is part of the new Takashi Murakami x MLB collaboration. Image courtesy Takashi Murakami and Major League Baseball.
The new project “builds upon the historical friendship between Japan and the United States,” said Murakami. “I feel lucky to be able to work alongside Complex, MLB and highlight Shohei Ohtani, an outstanding athlete who has emerged from Japan and made a name for himself on the global stage.”
As part of the collaboration, Murakami’s Ohana Hatake, a shoe brand led by the artist, will introduce two brand new, limited-edition slides.
A model wears a MLB x Takashi Murakami merchandise. Image courtesy Takashi Murakami and MLB.
Fans will be able to buy merchandise from the respective websites of Complex, Fanatics, and the MLB shop. Some products will also be available at the MLB Tokyo Series games, as well as at Dodger Stadium, Wrigley Field, and the MLB flagship store in New York City.
A special 2025 Topps x Murakami MLB Tokyo Series Matchup Set will be available through Complex Shop with a price of approximately $120. The collection includes a 25-card set, featuring Murakami artwork that celebrates players from both the Cubs and the Dodgers, including Ohtani, Yamamoto, Suzuki, and Shota Imanaga.
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content
