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NOTES L ouis Vuitton x Murakami Some pairings in life just f e e l r i g h t . They're neither forced nor contrived; they simply exist organically as if they were meant to be. When they work, there's a sense of magic to be found, almost as if they were preordained, and we wonder why this has not been done before. Of course, this is the exception rather than the rule. Try as they might, fashion house creatives and the like give us collab after collab, hoping to spark something new. For all the hullabaloo about the next big collaboration between X and Y, many feel unnecessary — a grab for attention, a hope that this will be the new something special. It was not always this way. As fashion has evolved, the way we think, see, and interact with it has changed. In the not too distant past, a c o l l a b o r a t i o n was a rarity. Most fashion houses, labels, and brands kept their design process within their own walls. There's a bit of purity to that: a continuation of house codes, thoughts, and traditions carried out by designers who often spent much of their lives creating works that are the identity of the brands they represent. But in 2002, Louis Vuitton begot a collaboration that would change the face of fashion. To say it was massive is an FASHION understatement. Under the vision of then director Marc Jacobs, LV's Spring/ Summer 2003 collection brought us Louis Vuitton x Murakami, launching the brand's first collaboration w i t h a r t i s t Ta k a s h i Murakami and injected bold colors, playful Murakami patterns, and a sense of wonder into the DNA of one of the world's most storied brands. In the years that followed, we've seen more collaboration between Vuitton and Murakami, but the initial launch was a bold and seemingly perfect match between artist and fashion house that grabbed the attention of the world and created the blueprint for thoxusands of collaborations to come. In it, we saw the power of art and an alchemy that created a force that still resonates prominently today. A sort of mini-Big Bang whose ripples still echo through the space of fashion. Now we welcome the arrival of LV's 20th anniversary with the artist. With the launch of Chapter One of Louis Vuitton x Murakami, we can revisit one of the most enduring and impactful moments in fashion, freshly made for our enjoyment. By Steven Hempel Fendi Peekaboo All images: Chapter One of Louis Vuitton x Murakami, at Louis Vuitton stores, louisvuitton.com. Vuitton Escale watch