Cover Takashi Murakami (Photo: Louis Vuitton)
Takashi Murakami (Photo: Louis Vuitton)
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Twenty years after their first collaboration, renowned Japanese artist Takashi Murakami and French luxury house Louis Vuitton reunite for a vibrant re-edition collection, blending art and fashion in a bold celebration of creativity and craftsmanship
When it was first introduced in the early noughties, the collaboration between Takashi Murakami and Louis Vuitton was nothing short of revolutionary—and often credited for reshaping the fashion world and setting a new precedent for artist and brand partnerships. Two decades later, the behemoths of contemporary art and fashion are reuniting with a re-edition of the groundbreaking collaboration, which combined the Japanese artist’s vibrant, playful art with the French maison’s iconic luxury status.
The Louis Vuitton x Murakami re-edition collection highlights the timeless appeal of the original collaboration, which was the brainchild of Marc Jacobs, the then-artistic director of the maison, who presented the collection of bags and accessories as part of its spring-summer 2003 offerings. Murakami, known for his bold and colourful pop art-inspired style, infused Louis Vuitton’s classic monogram canvas with 33 different colours set against a white or black background, transforming the iconic pattern into the Monogram Multicolore—and it became an instant hit.
In case you missed it: Takashi Murakami on not playing it safe and why Japanese people don’t really get his work
Above Takashi Murakami
Takashi Murakami
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This colourful reinterpretation of the brand’s heritage was more than just a visual update—it was a cultural statement, reflecting the blending of luxury with contemporary art and street culture. “Looking back now, I really feel there was various significance but, at the time, I had no idea what kind of brand Louis Vuitton really was, and I didn’t understand the impact of changing the products’ classic base colour to pure white, for instance,” Murakami notes. “But now, I can see that changing something purely chic into something colourful really made a big impact.”
As a leading figure of the Superflat art movement, Murakami blends traditional Japanese artistic techniques with contemporary pop culture elements such as manga, anime and consumerism. The term “Superflat” describes both his aesthetic style and the cultural phenomena he sought to explore. Murakami rose to prominence in the late 1990s and early aughts, with his works becoming increasingly sought-after in the global art world. His collaboration with Louis Vuitton helped cement his status as one of the most influential contemporary artists today.
Above Japanese artist Takashi Murakami, with the iconic ‘Flower Parent and Child’ sculpture he presented in celebration of the 20th anniversary of his first collaboration with Louis Vuitton
Japanese artist Takashi Murakami, with the iconic ‘Flower Parent and Child’ sculpture he presented in celebration of the 20th anniversary of his first collaboration with Louis Vuitton
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Murakami’s work brought an element of playfulness and modernity to Louis Vuitton, attracting a younger demographic and positioning the brand as not only a symbol of exclusivity but also of cultural relevance. It paved the way for future partnerships between designers, brands and artists—collaborations that have become a cornerstone of the fashion world. Aside from Murakami—the brand’s longest artist collaboration—Louis Vuitton also worked with other artists such as Stephen Sprouse, Richard Prince and Yayoi Kusama.
“[As] an artist, I’m always thinking from a universal perspective—about how my work will live on even after I die. I think that’s why it’s had [such] a long lifespan,” muses Murakami, on why the longstanding collaboration, which stretched until 2015 and saw many iterations including Cherry Blossom, Panda and Monogramouflage, was beloved across the globe.
Despite the impact his art has made on fashion—and the fact that it continues to inspire people to this day—Murakami remains humble. “Our collaboration began because Marc Jacobs, [who was] then the artistic director, took notice of me, and the timing of it all really worked out to my advantage. So ultimately, I feel I was lucky,” he says. “I definitely think it’s thanks to the people on the receiving end, especially the hip-hop artists, who continue to love my collaboration with Louis Vuitton—and this made it a very good time to refresh it.”
Above The Monogram Multicolore on the Keepall
Above The Monogram Multicolore on the Rolling Trunk
The Monogram Multicolore on the Keepall
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Fresh as a flower
Featuring more than 200 creations, the Louis Vuitton x Murakami re-edition collection is a showcase of an enduring creative bond, coupled with traditional craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology. The artist has chosen to revisit specific motifs and characters from the original collection, brought to life across the maison’s coveted leather goods and accessories.
“The characters we chose this time are Superflat,” Murakami shares. “When Marc first requested my work, he told me, ‘I don’t need any characters. I just want you to change the emblem’. But midway through, Marc himself drew a sketch, and he copied a panda that appeared in my work and sent it to me. That’s how my own characters emerged inside of Louis Vuitton, which is why these iconic characters are being revived this time.”
Above Takashi Murakami
Takashi Murakami
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Highlights include the kaleidoscopic Monogram Multicolore, on white or black background, rendered across the maison’s assortment of City Bags and the Rolling Trunk; the playful LV Hands logo on Alma BB bags and a silk square; the whimsical Superflat Panda on sneakers, keyrings and a skateboard; and the enchanted Superflat Gardens and its smiley flowers on perfume bottles. The collection will be released in two chapters: the first launching on January 1, 2025, and the second in March with a focus on the artist’s Cherry Blossom pattern.
The Louis Vuitton x Murakami re-edition collection features the artist’s iconic motifs and characters meticulously rendered across the maison’s creations, from bags to accessories
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On what he is most excited about the re-edition collection, Murakami enthuses, “[The] last time when I made the animation of the panda, I thought about the future, which is basically now. Twenty years ago, I was thinking about what it would be like now, and tried to convey a message to the children in the hopes that they’d love my collaboration. I hope that these cute characters will be passed on to the children this time as well, and that they’ll still be cherished 20 or 30 years from now.”
Since his first collaboration with Louis Vuitton, Murakami has expanded his influence beyond the art world, engaging in numerous collaborations with musicians, designers and brands.
These partnerships have allowed him to bridge the worlds of fine art, fashion and pop culture, creating iconic moments that resonate with diverse audiences. “Well, of course, I have my own things that I want to do, but when other people see my motifs and tell me, ‘I’d like to do something like this’, that opens up a new door for me. I like being able to experience things in that way,” he expounds. Even so, Louis Vuitton remains close to his heart: “Louis Vuitton always does everything on this large, grandiose scale, so that’s fun for me.”
When it comes to producing such inspired work, “what I think is that artists are quite similar to athletes, and we always have to give our best performance every day, even if my body shape may be a bit different from [that of] an athlete’s”, quips Murakami, explaining how he works in his studio. “I produce my work at basically one of the two desks that I have, where one is for working and one is for eating, and other than those two desks, I also lay in my bed and try to think up a lot of ideas.”
Read more: Louis Vuitton unveils exclusive Louis Vuitton x Murakami pop-up in Singapore
Above The Superflat Panda on a skateboard from the first chapter of the Louis Vuitton x Murakami re-edition collection
Above The LV Hands logo on a silk square from the first chapter of the Louis Vuitton x Murakami re-edition collection
The Superflat Panda on a skateboard from the first chapter of the Louis Vuitton x Murakami re-edition collection
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Despite his widespread influence, Murakami emphasises that art remains at the core of his work and he rejects the idea of himself as a brand. “Artists tend to be perceived in a similar context to a brand because they create works of art but in the end all that matters is if their work—be it a painting, a sculpture, or an installation—is good or bad,” he says. “I personally think it’s fine if the artists’ names ceased to exist, so in that sense, I don’t think we artists are a brand.”
Credits
Images: Louis Vuitton
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As Senior Editor of Tatler Singapore, Hashirin champions and refines the storytelling across platforms—curating and crafting compelling profiles, cover stories and features that spotlight visionaries shaping culture, business and impact. Driven by curiosity, she draws inspiration from the artists, changemakers and trailblazers she encounters through her work. Beyond the pages of Tatler, she is an avid supporter of local theatre and delights in seeking out art in every city she visits.
