Louis Vuitton Is Bringing Back Takashi Murakami's Iconic Cherry Blossom Print
Louis Vuitton's revival of the Japanese art superstar's kawaii Cherry Blossom print has us going para para sakura.
We've all seen the mad rush for the recent revival of Louis Vuitton's iconic collaboration with Japanese pop artist Takashi Murakami from the Y2K era and now, the French maison is getting ready to drop the second chapter of this blockbuster tie-up.
If anything, we might be even more excited for the second drop as the focus this time is on Murakami's kawaii cherry blossom motif, a highly popular print that was part of the original Y2K series - you might have seen Mean Girls' queen bee Regina George carrying a pink purse featuring this cherry blossom print in the film.
Louis Vuitton's revival of Murakami's hit Cherry Blossom print from the 2000s is just in time for spring.
These flowers, with their bright, cheerful petals and wide-eyed faces, became one of Murakami’s signature icons, evolving into a symbol of optimism and joy. However, the cherry blossoms in his work are a bit more than just literal representations of the famous Japanese flowers. They carry layers of meaning, drawing from traditional Japanese aesthetics, while also engaging with the idea of global pop culture (a signature in Murakami’s work).
Unlike the first launch which featured over 200 items, this time the focus is tighter, with the Cherry Blossom print applied across 40-odd objects, including Louis Vuitton bag classics like the Speedy, silk scarves, sneakers, platform sandals, as well as on the bottle, packaging, and travel case of the brand's Spell on You perfume. The brand also mentioned that thanks to tech improvements, the Cherry Blossom motifs are now more vibrant and detailed compared to its Y2K predecessor.
Louis Vuitton's Alma BB is one of several bags from the maison that will receive a special all-over light pink colourway to match the Cherry Blossom motif - the others include the Marellini and the Capucines City.
The second chapter of Louis Vuitton x Murakami will be pre-launched online on the brand's website from March 14, before dropping in stores worldwide on March 21. Below, some of our favourite pieces from the second drop of this collection.
Marellini leather bag, $3,950
Speedy Bandouliere 25 coated canvas bag, $3,950
Pochette Accessoires coated canvas bag, $3,000
Capucines Mini leather bag, $13,200
Bucket nano coated canvas bag, $3,150
Nice mini coated canvas vanity case, $1,980
OnTheGo PM coated canvas tote bag, $4,750
Coated canvas wallet, price unavailable
Horizon 55 coated canvas cabin bag, $5,050
Capucines BB leather top-handle bag, $10,900
Coated canvas long wallet, $1,320
CHAPTER ONE OF LOUIS VUITTON X MURAKAMI: COLOURS GALORE
Yep, fashion and art collaborators are a dime a dozen these days, but they had to start somewhere. Some would say one of the biggest instigators was Louis Vuitton – the maison, then headed by Marc Jacobs, was instrumental in transforming such tie-ups into Big Cultural Moments.
Starting from 2001, Jacobs presciently tapped on a slew of marquee names like Yayoi Kusama, Stephen Sprouse, and Richard Prince to put their own stamp on the house's logos – a ballsy move for its time, considering that the thinking then was that house logos were sacrosanct symbols not to be tampered with.
Japanese pop art artist Takashi Murakami, sometimes referred to as the Andy Warhol of Japan for his deft ability to inject kawaii-ness into time-honoured institutions.
Arguably the biggest blockbuster of that Y2K era (Louis Vuitton was really on a streak) was the Louis Vuitton x Murakami collection – remember those red-hot kawaii cherry prints? The collaboration with the Japanese contemporary artist – known for infusing traditional Japanese art with bolts of playful pop culture and anime imagery – broke the Internet (the 1.0 version of it anyway), and Murakami went on to become Louis Vuitton's longest running art collaborator, according to trade publication WWD.
The first drop of the upcoming Louis Vuitton x Murakami collection – a sequel of sorts to the Y2K landmark collaboration between the two - spans more than 170 items.
Now Louis Vuitton is bringing back the Japanese artist for a hotly anticipated sequel, in a nod to the 20th anniversary of the original tie-up (we're not sure how the math works out, considering the Murakami collaboration first debuted at the Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2003 show).
Get ready for snaking queues for this collection, which drops January 3rd, 2025, at Louis Vuitton's Singapore stores.
Officially known as Louis Vuitton x Murakami collection, the sequel will be released in two batches. The maison bills the first drop as Chapter One, and it'll see Murakami's signature Superflat Panda and Garden with its smiley flowers adorning a wide assortment of Louis Vuitton objects, including bags, wallets, travel accessories, skateboards, and even perfume bottles (Louis Vuitton's Imagination and Attrape-Reves for all you fragheads out there).
A Murakami Superflat Panda skateboard? Instant collectible!
Below, some of our favourite pieces from the first drop of this collection.
Speedy Nano coated canvas bag, $3,150
Pochette Accessoires coated canvas bag, $3,000
Speedy Bandouliere 20 coated canvas bag, $3,700
Venice coated canvas backpack, $5,550
Koro Koro coated canvas clutch, $7,900
Alma BB coated canvas bag, $3,700
OnTheGo East West leather bag, $4,750
Metis coated canvas phone pouch, $1,900
Romy leather card case, $885
Petite Malle leather and coated canvas bag, $9,000
Alma BB leather bag, $3,500
Pochette Accessoires coated canvas bag, $3,000
Coated canvas card case, $695
Capucines BB leather bag, $10,500
Capucines Mini leather bag, $9,100
Capucines BB leather bag, $10,100
Capucines EastWest Mini leather bag, $10,100
Keepall 45 coated canvas duffle bag, $6,400
Leather and coated canvas trunk, $16,600
Petite Valise leather and coated canvas bag, $15,600
Mini Square leather and coated canvas trunk, $14,700
Hangbag EastWest leather and coated canvas bag, $5,050
Lisa coated canvas wallet, $1,130
Time Out leather sneakers, $1,970
Pool Pillow coated canvas slides, $1,690
Romy coated canvas ballerina flats, $1,570
Sunset coated canvas sandals, $1,900
6AM coated canvas mules, $1,400
Mink bumbag, $18,700
Superflat Square 70 silk square, $620
Multicolore wool shawl, $1,320
Superflat metal keychain, $775
Alma Micro coated canvas and metal charm, $1,580
Multicolore Circle acetate sunglasses, $700
Ceramic and leather cup, $750
Coated canvas and maple wood skateboard, $3,850
Side Trunk MM leather bag, $6,800
Trio coated canvas toiletry pouches, $2,930 (sold as a set)
Marellini leather bag, $3,450
Coated canvas vanity case, $4,200
Superflat cotton cap, $870
Capucines East-West Mini leather bag, $9,750
Imagination eau de parfum, $585 for 100ml
Coated canvas fragrance case, $1,200
Nice Mini coated canvas case, $2,060
Keepall Bandouliere 45 coated canvas duffle bag, $6,400
Horizon 55 coated canvas cabin bag, $5,300
Superflat enamel and brass necklace, $1,490
