Louis Vuitton’s Final Drop Of Revived Collaboration With Takashi Murakami

Louis Vuitton has unveiled a teaser of the much-anticipated second drop of the revived Louis Vuitton X Takashi Murakami collaboration with House Ambassador Zendaya, focusing on the Cherry Blossom motif this time. 

Louis Vuitton unveiled news about the second drop of its revived collaboration with Japanese artist Takashi Murakami through a post on Instagram, generating immediate excitement among consumers and fans of the brand. 

The second —and final drop— will be pre-launched online on Louis Vuitton’s official website from March 14TH before officially hitting stores worldwide on March 21ST, perfectly timed to coincide with Japan’s cherry blossom season, a nod to the collaboration’s cultural roots. 

The Cherry Blossom motif will feature on more than forty new pieces including Papillon bags, platform sandals and the Courrier Lozine 110 Fleurs trunk. Those featured in the campaign with Zendaya include new versions of Louis Vuitton Capucines Mini and OnTheGo.

Per WWD: ‘Zendaya, the face of the collection campaign, appears in two new collage-style images by Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin, which juxtapose softly lit cityscapes with Murakami’s smiling pink flower heads and petals. The visuals will break in print worldwide on Saturday.’

To comprehend the significance of the re-edition and this final drop, recall the original collaboration — the austere handbags, with Murakami’s playful, pop-infused designs, felt avant garde, audacious and current at the time. The iconic partnership significantly shaped luxury fashion and pop culture, and Louis Vuitton seeks to inspire the same sense of awe among loyal consumers and fans of the brand.

“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 that made it a very good time to refresh it,” Takashi Murakami told WWD.

The original collaboration between Louis Vuitton and Takashi Murakami

Japanese artist Takashi Murakami was initially recruited by then-creative director Marc Jacobs to produce a series of bags and accessories for Louis Vuitton’s Spring Summer 2003 collection. Louis Vuitton X Murakami became one of the sought after fashion and art collaborations, and encouraged collaborations between artists and luxury fashion brands. Celebrities like Paris Hilton, Kim Kardashian, and Jessica Simpson were seen carrying the vintage pieces. And, since then, several models have remained in the permanent collection.

Louis Vuitton Unveiled Re-edition Of Its Iconic LV X Murakami Collection

In this revived collection, the LVMH-owned luxury fashion brand’s signature creations are re-imagined with a playful design. Most notable are the bags like the Speedy Bandoulière 25, the Keepall Bandoulière, the Vanity Chain Pouch, and OnTheGo. Attractions include trainer sneakers, the Romy Flat Ballerina, and the 6AM flat mule. Murakami-print belts, wallets, shoes, a skateboard and bag charms are part of the collection while perfume bottles and cases will be adorned with artistic flowers.

Featuring house ambassador Zendaya, the playful campaign underscores Louis Vuitton’s emphasis on connecting with the youth. Per WWD, ‘She appeared in a series of stills and videos online and across the brand’s social media channels ahead of the collection’s Jan. 1 release. The hero video highlights scenes of iconic New York landmarks with music by electronic pop artist Sophie.’

Speaking to WWD, Pietro Beccari, chairman and chief executive officer of Louis Vuitton, said in an exclusive interview conducted via email, that the nostalgia vibe would appeal to the brand’s young consumers. “Young people are reviving that era, and we want to connect with them through this re-release.”

It seems that waiting two decades for a re-edition of the landmark collection may prove to be a strategic decision for Louis Vuitton. With the passage of time, this collection appeals to those nostalgic for the original release and a new generation of luxury fashion consumers.