In an age of constant collab releases, Louis Vuitton has returned to its roots and linked up with Takashi Murakami to show us how it’s done. LV x Murakami’s Re-Edition is bringing back the cult y2k colourful monograms of the original 2003 linkup that had fashion in a chokehold – donned by Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan and more it-girls of the early 2000s.
This reunion brings new takes on the OG capsule collection with a range of over 200 pieces. The cult multicoloured monogram bags (obvi), shoes, sunglasses, a skateboard deck for shredding with drip, and kawaii perfume bottles are out in bright, Murakami designs with references to the original artwork like the Superflat Panda figure.
Murakami’s first collab with LV back in 2003 was huge. His smiley flowers and kawaii cartoons drawn over the LV monograms were ahead of their time – collabs like that were not part of the culture like they are today, and Murakami’s style was not as mainstream. It led luxury fashion’s fusion with pop culture, and made Murakami a household name – the LV designs are still relevant today.
The OG LV linkup, initiated by then Louis Vuitton creative director Marc Jacobs, fused Murakami into the pop culture zeitgeist – Murakami designed Kanye’s Graduation artwork a few years later, and has collabed with countless artists and brands since.
Murakami’s trippy, childlike superflat artwork that merges Japanese postmodern art with anime and pop culture is as relevant as it was two decades ago. Ever since it was discontinued back in 2015, LV x Murakami pieces have become grailed, cult classics with the trunk bags easily hitting £40k and the suitcases for up to £80k on resale platforms.
The Re-Edition is being widely celebrated. Zendaya modelled for the new campaign shot by legendary photographers Inez and Vinoodh, pop-ups taking over Harajuku in Tokyo, Singapore and London – and – and fashion’s just straight up excited to see it back.
Featured image Louis Vuitton©
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