American actress and brand ambassador Zendaya headlines the re-edition campaign. Image courtesy of Louis Vuitton French fashion house Louis Vuitton is revisiting an era-defining partnership.
Marking 20 years since the brand’s groundbreaking collaboration with Japanese artist Takashi Murakami is the release of a re-edition collection, set to debut worldwide on Jan. 1, 2025. American actress and brand ambassador Zendaya headlines the Louis Vuitton × Murakami campaign, bringing a contemporary edge to the celebratory narrative.
Reviving Louis Vuitton × Murakami
The Louis Vuitton × Murakami collection reimagines over 200 pieces from the original partnership, initially launched under then-artistic director Marc Jacobs.
Key designs include the Monogram Multicolore and, coming out as part of a later drop, Cherry Blossom motifs, now updated using digital printing techniques to enhance color vibrancy and precision.
An accompanying campaign melds Mr. Murakami’s iconic aesthetic and the draw of nostalgia – a statement from Louis Vuitton acknowledges the “timeless appeal of this seminal moment in early 21st-century pop and collector culture” – with apparel and accessories old and new.
The release marks 20 years since the brand’s initial collaboration with Japanese artist Takashi Murakami
The re-edition features the kaleidoscopic reinterpretation of the Louis Vuitton x Murakami Monogram pattern, the first time in history that it has been reworked, appearing across an assortment of City Bags such as the Keepall, the Coussin, the Dauphine, the OnTheGo and the Speedy.
Silk squares and scarves, sunglasses, belts, wallets and other small leather goods, fashion jewelry and footwear are also integrated.
The launch features the kaleidoscopic reinterpretation of the Louis Vuitton x Murakami Monogram pattern, the first time in history that it has been reworked. Image courtesy of Louis Vuitton
Mr. Murakami’s Superflat Panda print is applied to sneakers, keyrings and a skateboard. Smiley flowers that comprise the artist’s Superflat Garden adorn Louis Vuitton’s Attrape-Rêves perfume bottles.
Meanwhile, the collaboration’s Cherry Blossom motif is placed upon house staples such as the Courrier Lozine 110 Fleurs trunk. Centering the flower pattern, a second chapter of Louis Vuitton × Murakami will arrive in March 2025.
Playing with pop culture
Intersecting art and luxury fashion (see story) are a series of Louis Vuitton × Murakami global pop-up and pop-in experiences, window displays and in-store activations worldwide.
The approach stands to attract seasoned collectors familiar with Murakami’s continual influence on pop culture (see story) without alienating entry-level audiences.
Each element of the rollout plays to the graphic, hyper-visual nature of an enduring collection, one that has sustained its relevance from the start.
The Louis Vuitton × Murakami collection reimagines more than 200 pieces. Image courtesy of Louis Vuitton
From initial release in 2003 until now, Mr. Murakami’s designs for the maison have remained popular in resale contexts, performing well as younger generations rediscover the line’s charm.
Louis Vuitton speaks to the power of its lasting impact in a statement: “The creative bond between Louis Vuitton and Takashi Murakami continues to transcend both time and stylistic trends, while crossing generations and communities across the world, and offering creations to be collected and cherished – yesterday, today, and forever.”