For the second time, the fashion house has invited prominent Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama to create a new creative alliance that expands and develops innovative ideas. Previous works from the Louis Vuitton x Yayoi Kusama collaboration were shown at Art Basel Miami. The Work on the last project with Louis Vuitton took a year and a half and was done remotely due to the pandemic.
“I am determined to create a world of Kusama that no one has ever done or seen,” – Yayoi Kusama.
The collection inspired by a vibrant personality
This new collection combines the creativity of Yayoi Kusama with the craftsmanship of Louis Vuitton. The Maison’s iconic pieces take on a new look, embodying the artist’s thoughts and creative vision. The infinity of dots, psychedelic flowers, and metallic details bring the Louis Vuitton universe to life. Among the most anticipated accessories of the outgoing year is Kusama’s hand-painted classic black bag. In a new twist, it was adorned with the famous multicolored polka dots.
Unsurpassed craftsmanship
An innovative silkscreen technique that showcases Louis Vuitton’s craftsmanship reproduces Kusama’s brush strokes, creating a strikingly realistic 3D hand-painted effect. Hand-applied, one by one, metal hemispheres of varying sizes enliven some of the pieces in the collection, creating a stunning mirror effect. The most recognizable motif in 93-year-old Yayoi Kusama’s work is the polka-dots and other repeating simple shape elements in bright colors that she has been painting since childhood, applying to canvases and a variety of objects, including trees, room interiors, and even people. Yayoi Kusama has also created collages, soft sculptures, and performances.
As in previous collaborations, Yayoi Kusama covered the accessories with her signature polka dot print. Some of the patterns are in metallic spheres, while others are in white, red, blue, green, and yellow hues. The 2023 collab includes not only painted infinity dots but also convex metallic half-spheres, as well as floral and pumpkin-themed fantasies. On the leather surfaces, the designers tried to achieve the visual effect of freshly applied paint, with its characteristic sheen, relief, and jagged edges from the brush strokes.
Promotion
The launch of the project is accompanied by large-scale advertising campaigns and creative marketing activities, including the placement of a 3D image clip on the facade in Tokyo, pop-up and popping spaces, augmented reality activities, and a game app, which is already available to download on the website.
Drop 1 includes Kusama’s Painted Dots, Metal Dots, Infinity Dots, and Psychedelic Flower. It was released in Japan and China on 1st of January, while in other countries the products have been on sale since January 6th.
Drop 2 will arrive in Louis Vuitton branded stores on March 31st. As part of the campaign, boutiques will receive unusual decorations with elements of augmented reality, and pop-up stores of the brand will be opened around the world.
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