Louis Vuitton x Murakami Re-Edition Stands the Test of Time

The Takashi Murakami and Louis Vuitton collaboration, which released in 2003, left an indelible mark on both the art world and the fashion industry. Beyond its immediate commercial success, which saw the iconic LV monogram adorned with Murakami’s playful, colorful and often cartoonish characters like the famous “Multicolore” collection, the collaboration’s legacy extends to influencing the accessibility of high art and the democratization of luxury. The launch of the re-edition collection not only tugs at the nostalgic heartstrings of fashion and art lovers, but it is also a testament to Murakami’s legacy.

More than just a revival of past designs, the re-edition is a reflection on the collaboration’s initial impact and a re-contextualization of its significance in a contemporary world. With an increasing fascination with convergence of art, fashion, and pop culture, the re-edition release arrives at the perfect time when fashion consumers are nostalgic for the Y2K aesthetic. During Art Basel Hong Kong, Hypebeast sat down with Murakami for an exclusive conversation about the latest release. Louis Vuitton has recently revealed the second drop for the re-edition collection and Murakami and Hypebeast took a walk down memory lane to discuss his influence on the world of fashion, contemporary art and beyond.

Bringing his vibrant world to life, Murakami’s chapter with Louis Vuitton would not have been possible without then-creative director Marc Jacobs. Talking about how this collaboration first came together, Murakami reminisces on when Jacobs approached him, “I have a very long-term friendship with the house and I was in luck when Marc Jacobs approached me.” He proceeded to share, “When we met, I started to present to him a different perspective…Asian taste. Marc Jacobs requested I update the Louis Vuitton Monogram. The Damier pattern was inspired by Japanese ‘ichimatsu’ and the flower is similar to the Japanese family ‘Kamon’ crest. He wanted a fresh Japanese perspective for Louis Vuitton.” Murakami also recalls Jacobs being interested in his panda character and later wanting to incorporate that and other characters, which was the beginning to their design partnership.

Reflecting on how he feels about seeing his collection gain just as much traction, if not more, two decades later, Murakami does not seem surprised, but understands that it is part of the current trend, “It’s kind of a revival cycle. Now that it has been 20 years, it’s a very nice reaction to see young people finding out about what I did before. People are coming up to me to tell me, ‘Hey Takashi, I bought this 20 years ago.’” He added, “When I did this 20 years ago, I chose to do it. Now the revival is bonus.”

Despite calling himself, “just an old guy,” Murakami constantly looks to the future. While enjoying the successes of the re-edition collection and seeing a newer generation embrace his work in the modern fashion and contemporary arts landscape, Murakami is already moving onto his next project. It is abundantly clear that Murakami’s influence offers a new generation the opportunity to experience the groundbreaking blend of high fashion and pop art that defined the early 2000s. Whether the legacy is remembered through directly re-issued pieces, or through interpretations and inspirations in future collections, the influence of Murakami’s vibrant world on Louis Vuitton remains a significant chapter in both their histories.