The luxury fashion brand introduces the second chapter of its popular collaboration with artist Takashi Murakami, featuring a blend of vibrant designs and urban landscapes.
Louis Vuitton is set to usher in spring with the second release of its collaboration with Japanese artist Takashi Murakami, showcasing the brand’s signature Cherry Blossom motif. This new installment, which builds on the success of the original collaboration first launched in 2003, will be highlighted by a series of promotional images featuring actress Zendaya. Shot by renowned photographers Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin, the campaign captures a striking contrast between urban landscapes and Murakami’s vibrant pink floral designs, with plans for the images to be printed and circulated globally starting Saturday.
According to Louis Vuitton, the campaign symbolizes a continued celebration of the collection’s cultural significance, as they stated, “This campaign for Louis Vuitton × Murakami chapter two continues the era-hopping celebration of both the re-edition collection’s contemporary relevance and the original collaboration’s status as a seminal moment in 21st-century fashion, collector, and popular culture.”
The first chapter of this reedition debuted on January 1 and was met with widespread enthusiasm, although the brand chose not to disclose sales figures. Anecdotal evidence indicates that the response was notably high, with many pieces reportedly sold out during the pre-order phase. Following this excitement, the second chapter is slated for online pre-launch on March 14, ahead of its full store release on March 21, coinciding with Japan’s cherry blossom season.
The original Monogram Multicolore line was a breakthrough in fashion collaborations and quickly became a staple among celebrities and pop culture icons, generating sales of over $300 million within its first year. Although that initial collaboration concluded in 2010, interest in Murakami’s designs has been sustained, with items from the first collection continuing to be highly sought after in the resale market, demonstrating a resurgence fueled by nostalgia.
In addition to the iconic Cherry Blossom prints, the new collection will include over 40 new items such as the Papillon bags, platform sandals, and the Courrier Lozine 110 Fleurs trunk. The campaign will also feature updated versions of the classic Capucines Mini and OnTheGo bags adorned in Monogram canvas.
Advancements in production technology have allowed for more vivid and precise motifs this time, as Louis Vuitton has noted. Murakami himself expressed satisfaction regarding the ongoing appeal of the collaboration. In a Q&A provided by the brand, he remarked, “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 timing to refresh it.”
The reedition comes as the luxury sector experiences a pause in growth, with parent company LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton reporting a 2 percent decrease in revenues for 2024 and stagnant sales in the last quarter. Despite these challenges, Louis Vuitton remains committed to a long-term strategy, as CEO Pietro Beccari stated in December. He emphasized the brand’s focus on maintaining its identity during difficult market conditions, saying, “After a crisis, people are often eager to consume and have fun again.” He also commented on the brand’s role in the fashion industry, asserting, “Our role is not to make political statements or act as activists; we are in the fashion industry. While our products may not change lives, they can certainly add an element of fun and create emotions.”
Source: Noah Wire Services
