Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama is a force to be reckoned with—her work is enchanting yet thought-provoking, it’s intricate yet visually simplistic. Started her journey in Matsumoto Japan in 1929—the power of Kusama’s art made her world-renowned in no time. From Tokyo to New York, her art held people captive, but in return, it rescued her. As one of the most successful female artists alive, Kusama’s work has transcended the globe and has earned her an iconic stature.
Louis Vuitton has a history of associating with artists from different walks of life. Blending fashion with art and igniting insightful conversations has been a longstanding mission of the house. LV first worked with the legendary artist a decade ago in 2012. Picking up the partnership right where it was left off, the luxury brand and Kusama are back with another magical collection, except the narrative now is even more evolved and impressive.
The alliance between these two creative entities is rooted in sincerity, iconoclasm and most importantly, a mutual appreciation and respect for the craft. Resulting in a line of off-beat ensembles, accessories, shoes and fragrances. Kusama’s trademark motifs can be found splashed across every product, systematically placed in between the LV monogram, creating calculated chaos in terms of pattern.
To Kusama, the polka dots represent infinity. While it may seem like a seamless splash of colour on the surface, each dot has been placed with precision by Kusama, creating a kaleidoscope of colour and design. Another commonality between the house and the artist is their attention to detail, which can be observed with just one look at the collection. The objects of Louis Vuitton have sharp imagery—it’s clean and chic, but the moments you add Kusama’s creativity, it softens the demeanour and adds a playful layer of fun to it. Whether it’s the bags of silhouettes, the artist’s eccentric vision effortlessly merges with Louis Vuitton’s classic cuts and tailoring.
An initial glimpse of the Louis Vuitton x Yayoi Kusama collaboration took place in San Diego in May 2022, during the Louis Vuitton Cruise 2023 show. After the sneak-peak, the much-awaited collection is now going live on January 6, 2023. Under Drop 1 of this project, you can expect the polka-dotted pieces as well as the psychedelic flower-painted collectables.
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