Ten years after its iconic collaboration, Louis Vuitton has launched the next chapter of its partnership with Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama — and it’s hitting stores worldwide this January.
The collection was teased at the 2023 Cruise show, with Kusama’s signature dots adorning bags spotted (get it?) on the runway. The collaboration all started in 2012, when Louis Vuitton was under the creative direction of Marc Jacobs, and it has been cemented into fashion history ever since. The French luxury brand has long collaborated with renowned artists through the years, such as Sol LeWitt, Richard Prince, Takashi Murakami and Jeff Koons to name a few. Back when the partnership began with Kusama, the artist transformed an iconic motif covered trunk with her hand-painted polka dots, which represents infinity for the artist. According to the brand, each incarnation of the polka dots has been presided over by Kusama herself and every brushstroke has been replicated in uncanny detail.
Fast forward to 2023, Nicolas Ghesquière is taking us back into the whimsical world that is Louis Vuitton x Yayoi Kusama. The second installment is all about paying homage to Kusama’s incredible art and iconic multicolored dot technique and celebrating the longstanding relationship between the maison and the artist. For the first time, this collection encompasses both women’s and men’s through ready-to-wear, bags, shoes, accessories, luggage, trunks and fragrances. The maison explores a variety of printing and embellishment techniques, from 3D serigraphy to leather marquetry, subtle jacquard to complex embroideries, laser on denim and delicate enameling.
The bold collection will be released in two parts, with the first drop launching Jan. 6, 2023 and the second drop launching March 31, 2023. In honor of the collection, Louis Vuitton opened a pop-up shop in New York City’s Meatpacking District with a space adorned with Kusama’s artwork. It’s open to the public starting Jan. 6 and the collection is available to shop at the brand’s SoHo pop-up as well.
An iconic collaboration calls for an equally iconic campaign so who better to call than models Gisele Bündchen, Anok Yai and Fei Fei Sun to star in it, and tap renowned photographer Steven Meisel to shoot it?
The first drop, available now, features Painted Dots, Metal Dots, Infinity Dots and Psychedelic Flower designs. See a sampling of the items, below, and shop the Louis Vuitton x Yayoi Kusama collection at louisvuitton.com.
Infinity Dots
Metal Dots
Painted Dots
Psychedelic Flowers
Painted Dots Monogram
