New Year Meets Old Favourites: My Journey Through the Vibrant World of Louis Vuitton x Takashi Murakami

By Ella Campbell

Earlier this month, a pop-up store showcasing Louis Vuitton’s second collaborative collection with Artist Murakami Takashi hit the streets of Soho, London. As a huge fan of the original collaboration, I decided to head down and take a look!

Murakami and LV first collaborated in 2003, releasing their iconic collection filled with rainbow monograms and pieces featuring original Murakami paintings. This collection went on to define naughties fashion and has still sustained high cultural significance up until today. To celebrate its 20th anniversary, the duo announced a re-edition collection that hit stores in January.

Upon arrival, there was a small line outside, which was disappointing since I had hoped to avoid crowds by coming on a Monday. I was with my best friend, and despite our plan to arrive before the store opened, we arrived around 3 PM. For some context, arriving on time was one of our New Year’s resolutions…which is clearly off to a great start! After about 30 minutes of chitchatting in line, we finally reached the gates of Murakami Heaven, where we were greeted and welcomed inside.

Once inside, I was instantly intoxicated by the vibrant colours that filled the room. As I walked around, I took time to explore the new collection. The multi-coloured monogram suitcase and pet carry-bag were the stand-out winners for me; you know you’re doing something right design-wise when someone who doesn’t even own a pet feels compelled to own a bag for a pet they don’t have. 

In addition to showcasing the new collection, the first floor of the pop-up featured a claw machine filled with exclusive prizes, a renewal station where owners of items from the original collection could have them restored for free, and a room designed like a museum that displayed iconic pieces from the 2003 collection.

The attention to detail and picture-perfect layout did not come around to disappoint. However, the first floor had a sense of briefness. The collection items on display were limited, and only those who purchased from the collection could play the claw machine.

Fortunately, a more affordable option on the second floor—the café—was just as colourful and picturesque as the first.

As I walked up the spiral stairs, I transcended into a gorgeous café, surrounded by pink walls and multi-coloured Murakami pillows throughout the space. Once I saw the limited-edition coffee cup in the hands of other visitors, I caved and bought a matcha latte. Disappointingly, it was the most disappointing matcha I have ever consumed. It also wasn’t long until I started to feel overstimulated by the combination of vibrant colours and bright light emitting from a large monitor on one of the walls. By this point, I knew it was time to get ‘the shot’ for my gram and wrap up my adventure.

Despite my adventure into the world of LV x Murakami leaving me short of £6.50 and regretful I didn’t just get myself a matcha from Blank Street, The pop-up still stimulated my appreciation for fun colours, playful femininity and the intersection of cultural classics with modern art.

While I wouldn’t recommend indulging in the food and drinks on offer, this pop-up is worth visiting if you’re in town, particularly for the fun photo opportunities and the chance to see these culturally iconic pieces up close!