Louis Vuitton is embracing Y2K nostalgia to kick off the New Year, reintroducing its groundbreaking collaboration with Japanese artist Takashi Murakami. The reedition of the iconic collection, accompanied by a campaign featuring Zendaya, will be available in stores starting January 1.
Murakami and Louis Vuitton’s CEO Pietro Beccari discussed the reunion with WWD, reflecting on their partnership that redefined artist-brand collaborations over 20 years ago. Beccari noted the renewed interest among younger audiences in the early 2000s era, making this the perfect time to relaunch the collection.
The Louis Vuitton x Murakami collection will debut with pop-up events in seven global cities, featuring unique experiences like cafés, cinemas, care stations, and vending machines. Customers who purchase items can win nostalgic prizes such as stickers, Tamagotchis, or trading cards.
Milan will host two branded trams—one with a café and another screening remastered versions of Murakami’s animated shorts Superflat Monogram (2003) and Superflat First Love (2009). Meanwhile, Seoul will feature a full pop-up store with an ice cream shop and photo booth experience.
The collection will be released in two phases, January and March, and includes over 200 items. These range from Louis Vuitton’s signature City Bags to accessories like silk scarves, sunglasses, sneakers, jewelry, perfume bottles, and even a skateboard. Prices start at €90 for a notebook, with the ultimate collector’s piece being a custom wardrobe trunk containing 33 Speedy bags.
Originally launched during Louis Vuitton’s Spring 2003 show under creative director Marc Jacobs, the Monogram Multicolore designs became an instant cultural phenomenon. They were famously worn by celebrities like Paris Hilton, Kim Kardashian, and Jessica Simpson, as well as featured in the film Mean Girls. The collection generated over $300 million in sales within its first year.
With Y2K nostalgia and a surge in demand for vintage and secondhand pieces, Murakami’s original designs and subsequent collections, like Cherry Blossom and Monogramouflage, remain highly sought after. Beccari acknowledged that the booming resale market and the ongoing popularity of the colorful designs among celebrities and trendsetters inspired the revival.
