Louis Vuitton just reunited with the artist who worked on its grailed bubblegum pop handbag collection in the ‘90s, Takashi Murakami, and the internet is already obsessed with the duo’s second collab. Here’s everything you need to know about the OG link up, why it’s back, and where you can shop it.
Why is Takashi Murakami GOATed?
Known for his almost childlike art style, Takashi Murakami is a Japanese contemporary artist who’s linked up with plenty of brands in his career. However, his collab with Louis Vuitton back in 2003 might be his most famous. He’s best known for his art’s floral and animal motifs and mascots, which take inspo from his culture, drawing from Japanese traditional art and postwar Japanese culture.
When did LV x Murakami first link up?
Back in the early 2000s, Marc Jacobs - the GOAT when it comes to high fashion collaborations, IYKYK - was heading up Louis Vuitton and bringing all kinds of link ups with artists to his collections. It was Jacobs who enlisted Murakami in 2003 to collab on a series of Louis Vuitton handbags that changed the trajectory of fashion-and-art link ups. The series had Murakami reimagine LV’s iconic monogram using his childlike art style, designing bags with sweet floral characters and bright colour-palettes.
The first LV x Murakami drop had the fashion world in a chokehold. You’ve probably seen the way the handbags surged into pop culture back in the early 2000s, with Murakami’s now iconic LV monogram being seen slung over the arms of a ton of celebrities, in movies and music videos, and standing the test of time, still considered grailed fashion pieces.
Back in 2015, WWD reported - following a conversation with an employee at the Louis Vuitton’s Saks New York store on Fifth Avenue who said the OG LV x Murakami would be “leaving stores at the end of July, forever," - that Louis Vuitton was discontinuing its iconic Murakami monogram bags, which sent second hand reselling prices through the roof.
Why is LV x Murakami back?
Now, appropriately labelled by Louis Vuitton as an “iconic re-edition,” the second link up between LV and artist Takashi Murakami has broken the internet just as hard as it did the first time. The second collaboration, which was teased by a campaign starring Louis Vuitton House Ambassador Zendaya, just dropped today (1st January 2025) and is selling out fast.
Some highlights from the LV x Murakami Re-Edition collection include a LV x Murakami Speedy 25 (£2,390.00), a LV x Murakami Alma BB Bag (£2,120.00), and a LV x Murakami CarryAll PM Bag (£2,620.00). There are some more affordable options in the drop too though, including a LV x Murakami Monogram Superflat Square 90 Scarf (£445.00), a LV x Murakami LV Key Holder (£360.00), and a LV x Murakami Multicoloured Chouchou Scrunchie (£185.00).
If you wanna get your hands on a piece from LV x Murakami’s re-edition link up, hit this link to discover the full collection, including handbags, sneakers, key rings, and other accessories.
Featured image via Louis Vuitton©
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