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Louis Vuitton is starting off the new year with a huge release. The luxury house has decided to revisit its colorful collaboration with Takashi Murakami.
First launched in 2003, LV x Murakami was a massive success at the time among fans and celebrities. The rainbow monogram styles immediately became the “it” bags of the aughts. They were constantly spotted on A-listers from Paris Hilton to Pharrell. The collection brought a youthful energy that the traditional luxury house hadn’t seen before. It also arrived way before collaborations with splashy contemporary artists were commonplace in high fashion. Spearheaded by then-LV creative director Marc Jacobs, it was a precursor to the fusion of streetwear and luxury that dominates the marketplace today. The original rainbow monogram bags are a piece of fashion history.
LV and Murakami would re-connect numerous times in the years that followed on pieces donning other iconic prints like red cherries (2005) and Monogramouflage (2008). These have also remained huge collector’s items to this day that can fetch as much as five figures on the aftermarket depending on the style and condition. You may have seen Travis Scott or Rihanna toting them around. The Murakami and LV partnership officially ended in 2015, two years after Jacobs had exited his role at the brand. But the work lives on.
When it comes to the 2025 reissue, it’s worth clarifying that it’s a women’s collection. Despite the close connection between Pharrell and Murakami over the years, Pharrell and Louis Vuitton Men’s are not involved. It’s also interesting that despite being 22 years-old, the gold foil stamps found on the inside of the new bags point towards a 20th anniversary celebration. Despite the belated commemoration, this launch makes sense in light of so many trends still nodding back to the 2000s. Murakami’s multicolored monogram is certainly emblematic of that era.
We got out our hands on some of the pieces for a closer look. This is far from the whole collection—There are plenty more bags, luggage trunks, dog collars, and even quirky items like puzzles and skate decks that will be shoppable on January 3. Take a look at the details of some of the LV x Murakami Re-Edition, below.
Price: $3,200
The white Speedy will only be offered in 25 and Nano sizes, while black will be available in 30 and Nano. We got a look at the size 25.
A key difference between the original from 2003 (which was a size 30) and the re-issue is the omission of the external flap pocket with a buckle closure. The 2025 version adds a leather bow on the luggage tag that isn’t on the original. Otherwise, these two versions are essentially identical, from the natural cowhide leather handles to the gold-toned feet on the base of the bag. These aren’t one-for-one, but they’re about as close as you can get.
Along with the white and black Keepalls, we anticipate these will be among the most in-demand pieces of the entire drop.
Price: $4,800
This is the first time that Murakami’s rainbow monogram dons LV’s OnTheGo tote. Since debuting in 2019, the OnTheGo has been popular for its large size and casual style. Like the Speedy, this OnTheGo features a white coated canvas upper, cowhide leather accents including a ribbon on the luggage tag, and gold-toned hardware on the locket and feet. A nice feature on this particular OntheGo is the natural leather trim with a repeated LV logo on it that makes it more reminiscent of the house’s classic luggage trunks.
Price: $2,830
Louis Vuitton is using this collaboration to introduce a brand new bag silhouette, the BB All In. The model features a white coated canvas upper covered in Murakami’s signature rainbow monogram. The luggage hang tag is given some more playful elements like a gold-toned LV padlock and cowhide leather bow. The handle can be adjusted for hand or shoulder-carry options. There’s also a longer trap included if you prefer a crossbody.
The All In also comes with a matching pouch for extra storage, or you could carry it solo if you need something smaller.
Price: $4,950
This is crafted out of leather instead of the coated canvas that LV’s traditional styles typically utilize. The Coussin was first introduced in 2021, constructed of monogram-embossed leather. Its standout design element is the chunky chain strap that can be worn over the shoulder or on the arm. On the inside, two side compartments are separated by a zip pocket.
While the white rainbow monogram is more iconic for the Murakami collab, the black leather will be much easier to keep clean as an everyday carry (be weary of dye transfer from darker clothes when you purchase the white bags). If you still prefer white, you’ll have to go with the slightly larger Coussin PM.
Price: $515
If you aren’t in the market for a new bag, there are also a handful of other accessories that will be up for grabs next week. One of our favorites is this white monogram silk square scarf bordered by a print featuring Murakami’s signature flowers. It’s the first time we’ve seen this artwork used as part of an LV x Murakami collection. While the Murakami flowers have been done to death at this point, we do like how this particular version of the print incorporates LV’s traditional flower motifs alongside Murakami’s.
The square is great because it has multiple uses: Wrap it around your neck like a classic scarf, use it as a head wrap or a babushka, or tie it around your bag for an extra pop of color. Whatever you choose, you can certainly get your money’s worth.
Murakami’s work is much more oversaturated now than it was in 2003. This time around, LV x Murakami doesn’t feel nearly as refreshing as it did back then. The brains behind the original collaboration, Jacobs, is also no longer at LV. Seeing it reissued without his involvement dampens the moment just a bit.
On the other hand, it is a great opportunity for younger consumers (or older ones who may not have had the funds to shop it years ago) to have a chance to buy some of these items in a brand new condition. It can be tough to hunt for decent-condition, authentic vintage LV pieces for a fair price, especially when they are over 20 years old.
While it isn’t exactly a one-to-one comparison, sneaker brands have been doing this type of reissues for years. The 1988 “Black Cement” Air Jordan 3 was just re-released in 2024 to much fanfare. The same goes for countless other iconic sneakers from years’ past. While it’s atypical for luxury brands to follow this formula (and we certainly don’t want to see these LV re-editions become the norm), this is a welcome comeback.
Ultimately, if you’ve been eyeing this rainbow monogram for a while, this is a formidable alternative to the OGs.
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