20 Years On, Louis Vuitton x Murakami Is Still Making Waves

When Louis Vuitton’s then creative director, Marc Jacobs, unveiled the brand’s S/S 03 collection, no one could have prepared for how it would change the world of art and fashion. At the Bilbao Guggenheim, models walked out in 60s silhouettes in gleaming pastel satins. In hand was the world’s first glimpse at a collaboration unlike any other—a series of handbags emblazoned with the work of Japanese artist Takashi Murakami. The maison’s monogram, reimagined in electric hues, was an instant sensation, bridging the gap between high fashion and contemporary art.

To celebrate over two decades of collaboration, Louis Vuitton is reissuing their era-defining partnership with Murakami through an extensive capsule collection showcasing the artist’s signature prints and characters. Spanning leather goods, accessories, fashion jewellery, shoes, and perfumes, the Louis Vuitton x Murakami collection revisits the artist’s iconic designs—most notably the Multicoloured Monogram.

Incorporating advancements in the maison’s savoir-faire since their first collaboration in 2003, state-of-the-art digital printing promises sharper definition and richer detail, breathing new life into Murakami’s vibrant motifs on Louis Vuitton’s canvas. Contemporary it-bags introduced since the original partnership, such as the Coussin, are set to receive the Murakami treatment, ensuring this revival resonates with both longtime fans and a new generation of collectors.

Kicking off 2025 with a dose of vibrant nostalgia for one of fashion’s greatest artistic collaborations, Louis Vuitton x Murakami will be rolled out with a fully immersive experience worldwide on 1 January. Dedicated advertising campaigns, pop-ups, and window displays will transport consumers back to the early aughts with Chapter One focusing on the original S/S 03 Multicoloured Monogram and Murakami’s Superflat Panda first introduced in 2004.

Art and fashion have a storied history long before Murakami met Marc—notable creative partnerships between Elsa Schiaparelli and Salvador Dalí and Yves Saint Laurent and Piet Mondrian—the moment Louis Vuitton made the Japanese artist’s signature pop-infused motifs available on its iconic accessories marked a pivotal shift. It not only bridged the worlds of art and commerce but also redefined luxury as a canvas for contemporary expression, opening the doors for future artist-brand collaborations.

The collaboration was canonised in pop culture thanks to the early aughts it-girls, including Britney Spears, Kim Kardashian, and most famously Paris Hilton, who was seldom seen without a Multicolore bag in tow. The fervour for Murakami only increased with every new print that found its way onto Louis Vuitton’s iconic monogram—from Cherry Blossoms in 2003, Cerises in 2005, Monogramouflage in 2008, and the Cosmic Blossom in 2010.

While the original Multicoloured Monogram was officially discontinued in 2015, the design has proven to be a timeless piece of fashion history that continues to be coveted by collectors. Dune: Part Two star and Louis Vuitton ambassador Zendaya was spotted in New York City earlier this month carrying the Louis Vuitton x Murakami side trunk in the pop-art print. She also stars in Louis Vuitton’s new Murakami campaign, bringing fresh energy to the iconic collaboration and celebrating its enduring influence on fashion. With the first look at the re-edition collection already sparking excitement for this revival, the campaign breathes new life into Murakami’s vibrant vision, reaffirming its place as a cultural touchstone in contemporary luxury.