Octopus Bags: Louis Vuitton Unveils a New Collaboration with Takashi Murakami
At Art Basel Paris
After nearly two decades, French fashion house Louis Vuitton and Japanese artist Takashi Murakami have reunited once again. As reported by WWD, during Art Basel Paris the brand presented a new installment of its Artycapucines Collection — a continuation of their iconic early-2000s collaboration.
The collection features 11 unique Capucines bags, inspired by Murakami’s most recognizable works — from his smiling flowers to the beloved panda motif. Each bag is a genuine work of art, blending vivid color palettes, intricate shapes, and impeccable handcraftsmanship.
Murakami admitted he was deeply impressed by the technological progress that has taken place since his first collaboration with Louis Vuitton in 2003, when he and Marc Jacobs created the legendary Monogram Multicolore line. In 2025, the house revived that collection in a modern form — now it includes not only handbags but also jewelry, skateboards, and fragrances.
Among the highlights is the Capucines Mini Tentacle, a pink bag adorned with octopus-like tentacles inspired by Murakami’s DOBtopus sculpture. Each piece takes 75 days to make, with every detail — from resin suction cups to lacquered elements — meticulously crafted by hand.
At the Louis Vuitton booth, visitors were captivated by an eight-meter octopus sculpture, a symbolic creation that, according to Murakami, embodies the artist’s inner tension between art and commerce.
Other standout designs include:
- Capucines BB Golden Garden — gilded with gold leaf and featuring a mosaic of five different leathers, inspired by Edo-period master Ogata Kōrin;
- Panda Clutch — a miniature clutch encrusted with 6,250 crystals;
- Capubloom — a spherical bag adorned with 3D flowers in 115 shades, referencing Murakami’s Flower Matango sculpture;
- Capucines Mini Mushroom — a silver-toned model embellished with multicolored resin mushrooms.
«Twenty years ago, changing the colors of the monogram felt revolutionary. Today, it’s the norm — and I simply want to support the creative spirit of the Louis Vuitton team,» said Murakami.
All pieces from the Artycapucines VII: Louis Vuitton x Takashi Murakami series will be released in limited quantities, with prices yet to be announced.
Photo: Louis Vuitton
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