“A monumental fusion of art and business,” designer Marc Jacobs, then the creative director of Louis Vuitton’s women’s wear line, called the collaboration between the Parisian luxury brand giant and Japanese artist Takashi Murakami. This is how I would describe the collaboration. Debuting as part of the Jacobs house’s Spring/Summer 2003 collection, Murakami’s multicolored reinterpretation of Louis Vuitton’s monogrammed handbag, in its most memorable white canvas, is an It Girl de It became (and remains) the it bag for Jules. Fashion’s fascination with all things 2000s has seen something of a renaissance on resale sites in recent years. )
Numerous collaborations with Murakami followed, and his playful cherry blossom and floral motifs appeared on the house’s leather goods throughout the 2000s, before Jacobs left the label and was replaced by current artistic director Nicolas Ghesquière. It lasted until 2015, the following year. The impact of this partnership is immeasurable. Not only did Louis Vuitton handbag sales reach hundreds of thousands of units, but the phenomenon of art and fashion collaboration was also born. This phenomenon shows no signs of slowing down today (Louis Vuitton alone), and since 2003, the house has collaborated with the likes of Richard Prince, Yayoi Kusama, Cindy Sherman, Marc Newson, and Jeff Koons.
Inside the Louis Vuitton x Murakami London pop-up
(Image credit: courtesy of Louis Vuitton)
In late December, Louis Vuitton announced that it would reinvigorate its collaboration with Murakami with a “reprint” collection, to be released in chapters throughout 2025 (a splashy ad campaign featuring house muse Zendaya was also in the news) ). The blockbuster’s “Chapter 1″ celebrates Murakami’s original motif for the house, the Monogram Multicolor, and features the house’s City Bag, Mal Wardrobe trunks, caps and silk carre. Scarves, belts, and even a skateboard decorated with prints in 33 different colors. Meanwhile, “Super Soft Panda,” Murakami’s signature animal expression, appears on necklaces and bag charms. “Chapter 2” will be released in March 2025 and will feature Murakami’s “Sakura” pattern in a similarly extensive product list.
To celebrate the launch, Louis Vuitton has launched a number of colorful pop-ups in cities around the world. In London, a new two-storey space opens on Brewer Street in Soho today (9 January 2025). A colorful immersion into the world of Louis Vuitton x Murakami, from fluffy floral cushions and tables adorned with Monogram Multicolor to futuristic room-like ‘modules’ filled with pieces from the collection. You’re promised (a note should also be given to the staff) uniform, a type of space-age kimono pajama with an LV pin on the chest). Archival pieces are also on display inside the store, and Louis Vuitton says the design was inspired by traditional modular hotels in Tokyo.
(Image credit: courtesy of Louis Vuitton)
Perhaps the Soho space’s biggest draw is the one-of-a-kind Louis Vuitton x Murakami Café, housed in a “private spherical module” on the upper floor, where cakes, pastries and drinks are served in Murakami-branded cups and cups. provided by. Napkins (this is the only cafe like this in Europe). Meanwhile, vending machines, where shoppers can buy something from the collection and play after receiving special tokens, feature a variety of Louis Vuitton x Murakami novelties, from stickers to trading cards, wrapped in plastic spheres. Rare and ready to be won by enthusiasts who are already lining up. .
The Louis Vuitton x Murakami pop-up is now open at 39 Brewer Street, W1F 9UD, London. Until February 9, 2025.
louisvuitton.com
(Image credit: courtesy of Louis Vuitton)
