Louis Vuitton x Takashi Murakami: Everything to Know About the Iconic Collab

It's now been 20 years since Louis Vuitton dropped its iconic collaboration with the Japanese artist Takashi Murakami. And as all things Y2K go around, the collab came back around for an anniversary re-edition that's got the fashion and pop culture worlds buzzing. Launched in early January, the drop includes over 200 new pieces decked out in the iconic Louis Vuitton x Takashi Murakami colorful print, as well as an array of pop-up activations in cities like London and Tokyo.

With a pop culture allure that's endured for the last two decades, it's no wonder this re-edition is making waves in 2025, with the help of brand ambassadors like Zendaya, who fronts the collaboration's new campaign. The luxury house also announced more drops coming in 2025, which will likely come with a slew of events worldwide.

To keep up with the current Louis Vuitton x Murakami craze, here's everything you need to know about the iconic collaboration and its exciting re-edition.

The History and Prints

The Louis Vuitton x Takashi Murakami collaboration was first revealed in 2003 when then-creative director Marc Jacobs tapped artist Takashi Murakami to update the house's iconic logo. Murakami, who is known for his pop-art aesthetic, gave the logo a colorful, vibrant twist with the release of the "Monogram Multicolore" collection. It was the first time an artist reimagined the historic house's logo, but more importantly, this collection was a first-of-its-kind collaboration between the fashion and art worlds, ushering in an era of designer partnerships to come.

While known mostly for its "Monogram Multicolore" line, LV x Murakami released several patterns, including the iconic "Cherry Blossom" collection. Similarly to the original release, the "Cherry Blossom" lineup reworked some of Louis Vuitton's signature elements, like its brown monogram print, using Murakami's aesthetic. Celebrities like Jessica Simpson and Paris Hilton helped bring the collections to the forefront of pop culture, along with a memorable feature in the movie Mean Girls.

Iconic Louis Vuitton x Takashi Murakami Handbags

The first Louis Vuitton x Takashi Murakami print was featured on a slew of handbags from the French house, but the most legendary were the Speedy and Pochette in white and black canvas covered in colorful Murakami-designed logos. The "Cherry Blossom" versions were no less coveted for the bold illustrations of pink flowers covering the bags, and both remain rare finds on the resale market.

Today, fans of the original collaboration can also shop the house's re-edition collection, which includes the popular Pochette and Speedy handbags in the "Monogram Multicolore" print.

The Louis Vuitton x Takashi Murakami 20th Anniversary Re-Edition

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the collection, Louis Vuitton announced a series of launches and activations to introduce the iconic prints to the Gen Z crowd. With more than 200 new items, the first drop was released on January 1, including motifs from the original "Monogram Multicolore" collection, as well as the "Superflat" lineup featuring Murakami's signature flattened Japanese whimsical designs. Beyond the original iconic handbags, the re-edition includes accessories, footwear, and leather goods, as well as fragrances and pet accessories.

Louis Vuitton x Takashi Murakami Pop-Up Shops

Louis Vuitton is opening commemorative pop-up shops in seven cities worldwide, including New York City, London, and Tokyo, this month. Located in SoHo, the New York City pop-up is now open through January 31, and it features a café, a cinema activation, art exhibitions, and retail space. Louis Vuitton announced that the biggest pop-up shop will naturally be in Tokyo, where the brand is set to open a shop in Harajuku.

Read the original article on InStyle