4 themes in Japanese avant-garde artist Yayoi Kusama’s art come alive in Louis Vuitton’s second drop of their creative collaboration.
The first drop of the magical collaboration between Yayoi Kusama and Louis Vuitton, saw the Japanese artist’s signature dots and psychedelic flower cast their magical allure on the Maison’s most emblematic icons. The other half of this anticipated collaboration has now landed, with an exploration of 4 more themes from Kusama’s universe – Pumpkins, Faces, Flowers, and Infinity Nets.
Perhaps the most loved and recognized out of all her distinctive motifs, Kusama’s Pumpkin appears as a repetitive graphic pattern on the menswear, represented in its whole form as an exclusive minaudiere, and printed in vibrant colours on the silhouettes of LV monogram canvas bags and silk squares.
The Faces of favourite characters from Kusama’s most recent painting “Where I want to live” or “The place of life” were also selected to form an exclusive pattern that echoes the artist’s joyful enthusiasm through a surreal, humorous approach. The motif recalls the imagery of eyes and indeterminate forms that resemble cell structures in pulsating combinations of colour. To bring out its vivacity, the motif is adorned on LV monogram canvas and the Maison’s new luminous Delphinium blue through different techniques such as embroidery and printing on everything from accessories to leather goods and ready-to-wear.
Flowers are ever present in Kusama’s life, from her childhood in rural Japan, and her memories of her parents’ nursery business, to the hallucinations she experienced. It’s no wonder their presence is strong in her body of work. The motif of Flowers finds its place on the Maison’s iconic bag silhouettes, such as the Capucines, through the craft of precise marquetry. Silk squares and Women’s ready-to-wear pieces are enraptured by the motif’s captivating femininity, while the Spell on You fragrance lets the charm of this floral theme linger on.
Finally, the abstract Infinity Nets theme looks to appeal to collectors with its interpretation as a mesmerising print that covers two sizes of the LV Capucines. Available in black and fuchsia colourways, it is a piece of collectible art.
As part of the launch, Kusama’s expressive motifs are amplified through the lens of photographer Steven Meisel. Ambassadors and friends of the House, including Lea Seydoux, Cate Blanchett, Justin Timberlake, Naomi Osaka, Hoyeon, and Zhou Dongyu, lend their faces to the campaign, not just to model the creations, but also to be the canvases of the artful expressions reprised by makeup artist
Pat McGrath.
Images courtesy of Louis Vuitton, artwork by Curatedition. All rights reserved.
Related Links:
Louis Vuitton x Yayoi Kusama: Infinity and Beyond
Louis Vuitton: An Invitation for Free Expression
Louis Vuitton’s “200 Trunks 200 Visionaries” Arrives in Singapore
