Is Louis Vuitton x Takashi Murakami the Designer Collab of 2025?

Two decades on, Louis Vuitton and Takashi Murakami are back, and more playful than ever, with Zendaya leading the charge as the face of the campaign / ©Louis Vuitton

While most of us were nursing champagne headaches on New Year’s Day, Louis Vuitton was making history – again. The French maison kicked off 2025 in unforgettable style with the rerelease of its beloved collaboration with Takashi Murakami, marking the 20th anniversary of their first partnership. It may be the early days of January, but we might already have the designer collaboration of the year.

The first chapter of the Louis Vuitton X Takashi Murakami launches with more than 150 items, while the second release will be available in March / ©Louis Vuitton

The duo first teamed up together in 2003 under Marc Jacob’s artistic direction, and quickly garnered cult status thanks to Japanese artist Murakami and his kaleidoscopic reinterpretation of the Louis Vuitton monogram, the first time the logo was retouched by the house. Murakami’s playful, anime-inspired motifs injected joy, color and a touch of whimsy into the staid world of high fashion – but since then have only been reserved for those willing to lose hours searching Vestiaire Collective and The RealReal, or have a collector on speed dial.

More than 20 years of technical advances means the Monogram Multicolore is now rendered with sharper detail and brighter hues / ©Louis Vuitton

The first release reimagines Murakami’s Superflat panada motif / ©Louis Vuitton

In life, the passage of time is rarely kind – and in fashion, 20 years might as well be a century. But somehow, the Louis Vuitton × Murakami collection has aged like fine wine (or perhaps just very good digital printing). Two decades on, it’s back, brighter and more playful than ever, with Zendaya leading the charge as the face of the campaign.

The first chapter of this two-part release by Louis Vuitton reimagines Murakami’s iconic Monogram Multicolore, featuring 33 vibrant hues splashed across a staggering range of over 150 items: from City Bags like the Dauphine Soft and Alma BB to bold Rolling Trunks and silk scarves. Meanwhile, the second release, which will launch in March, will focus on the return of Murakami’s Cherry Blossom pattern.

The collection includes leather goods to shoes and accessories / ©Louis Vuitton

Meanwhile the second release of the collection will focus on Murakami’s Cherry Blossom motif / ©Louis Vuitton

Among the many highlights of the huge first release include the Monogram Multicolore, now rendered with cutting-edge digital printing, bringing sharper detail and brighter hues to bags like the Speedy, Dauphine and Alma BB. Meanwhile, playful touches such as the Superflat Panda motif make appearances on sneakers, keyrings and even a skateboard, offering something for both collectors and newcomers alike.