Louis Vuitton’s “History Traveling Exhibition” is now open in Harajuku

March 18, 2021 11:24 am

Louis Vuitton opens the exhibition showcasing the Maison’s work including collaboration with other artists in Harajuku, Tokyo. The exhibition will be open from March 19, 2021 to May 16, 2021, and it’s free to the public.

Since 1854, Louis Vuitton has known for its leather goods and unique design. At the ‘Louis Vuitton &’ exhibition you will be able to see the history of Louis Vuitton’s creation over 160 years. The exhibition, which unravels the history of creation, consist of 10 spaces.

Introducing the exhibition and the venue

When you step into the venue, you will be greeted by the installation “Critical Point” by artist Ryoji Ikeda. An LED screen hung on a mirrored floor is projected to create an artistic space with music.

Portrait of the founder of Louis Vuitton and precious trunks of the early 20th century

Louis Vuitton arrived in Paris in 1837 and began his career as an apprentice to a trunk maker. Later, he opened an atelier independently and developed into a Maison bearing his own name. The dynamically exhibited portrait of Louis Vuitton by Alex Katz, Refic Anador and others evokes a feeling for the “beginning” of the Maison. In addition, a valuable custom-made trunk made in the early 20th century by Louis Vuitton, who has worked on trunk production that meets the needs of artists such as work protection, is also on display.

In addition, there will be a corner that reproduces the window display by Gaston-Louis Vuitton, and items carefully selected from Louis Vuitton’s “Objet Nomad Collection”. A lounge chair designed by Marcel Wanders Studio, the “Bed Trunk” made in 1898, and “Surface Lamp” are also on display.

The space where Louis Vuitton’s silk scarf will show case different variety of silk scarves.

Takashi Murakami’s colorful motifs, Aiko’s pop illustrations based in New York, and Jeff Koons’ scarf design featuring Louis Vuitton’s monogram in Mona Lisa portrait are display in the exhibit.

In addition, original collaborations with artists such as Arata Isozaki, Richard Prince, and Zaha Hadid, and the creations entrusted to them will also be released.

Karl Lagerfeld and Rei Kawakubo exhibit that reinterpret the Monogram

The collaboration with Rei Kawakubo goes back to the capsule collection of six “party bags” announced in 2008. Also in 2014 the Icon and Iconclast: Celebrating Monogram project, “Bag with Holes” with a perforated design and the new ‘Bag with Holes’ is released in March 2021.

In addition, there will be a space where contemporary artists will display works that was released in the recent years from the Maison.

The collaboration of Louis Vuitton and renowned Japanese artists such as Kansai Yamamoto, Hiroshi Fujiwara, Yayoi Kusama, and NIGO will be on displayed.

Yayoi Kusama

The fusion of the vivid Yayoi Kusama artwork and Louis Vuitton’s creativity

Takashi Murakami

A space will be dedicated to Takashi Murakami such as the 2003 Cherry Blossom print and character bags and the 2005 Spring/Summer Cherry series.

Kansai Yamamoto

Louis Vuitton’s artistic director Kansai Yamamoto work from 2018 Cruise Collection

On display is the Tokyo Pop jumpsuit, one of Kansai Yamamoto’s iconic creations

Second Floor

On the 2nd floor, Louis Vuitton items are displayed in three categories: blossom, travel, entertainment.

Gift Shop

The gift shop on the 1st floor will sell Louis Vuitton leather goods, scarves, fragrances, and books. Inside the store, there are a series of bamboo represented by colorful pillars, designed by architect Daisuke Sugawara. In addition, items can be customized with initials and Vivienne print which will be available only at this venue. The fragrance space also offers a stamping service for perfume bottles.