In a move that has sent the fashion world in a flutter, Louis Vuitton is reuniting with the Japanese contemporary artist Takashi Murakami to celebrate the 20-year anniversary of their collaboration to launch a re-edition line. Launching on January 1, 2025, this extensive collection is set to span over 200 creations, blending Murakami’s vibrant, imaginative artistry with Louis Vuitton’s timeless craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology.
Born in Tokyo in the 1960s, Murakami is known for his infusion of traditional Japanese art with elements of sci-fi, anime, and kawaii characters, seamlessly bridging the worlds of pop culture, history, and fine art. Long before designer collaborations became the norm, the original collaboration, launched in 2003, under then-creative director of the House, Marc Jacobs, marked a seismic shift in the luxury landscape by whisking in Murakami’s playful artistry into the French luxury house’s more classic pieces.
It began with the artist colourfully reinterpreting the classic monogram—a first in the history of the House. The result? A series of joyful pieces that came to be emblematic of early Y2K fashion and became ingrained in pop culture, coveted by serious collectors, celebrities, and fashion enthusiasts alike, and worn by the likes of Kim Kardashian, Jessica Simpson, and Paris Hilton.
Twenty years after their seminal partnership, the 2025 re-edition pays homage to this groundbreaking partnership and reintroduces and updates Murakami’s iconic motifs—the Monogram Multicolore, the Superflat Panda, and the Cherry Blossom, among others—with the technology to enhance the vividness and precision of his designs.
With the rise and rise of vintage fashion and the revival of Y2K nostalgia—think: digicams, miniskirts, and record players—Louis Vuitton took note and decided the time was ripe to bring back the iconic artistry of its Murakami line and introduce young people who may not be familiar with the collaboration to this convergence of fashion and fine art.
Set to roll out in phases alongside a campaign led by Zendaya, the first drop—Chapter One—features highlights like the cult favourite Monogram Multicolore, City Bags, and the eye-catching Rolling Trunks, and accessories like belts, wallets, shoes, and even notebooks. Chapter Two, focused on the artist’s Cherry Blossom motifs, is set to arrive in time for spring in March 2025.
At its heart, the Louis Vuitton x Murakami re-edition celebrates the lightness and timelessness of their original collaboration, spanning generations and communities and reaffirming their cultural footprint. Because in this instance, fashion meeting art is not merely a nostalgic nod to the past; it is a forward-looking celebration of creativity and collaboration, offering pieces to be cherished for all of time.
All images: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton
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