Where were you when Louis Vuitton Multicolore Monogram first hit the scene? To remember, you’ll have to think back 20 years. Yup, that’s right, those unmistakable, can-spot-them-from-a-mile-away, rainbow LVs turn 20 this season. So where were you in 2003?
The Beginning
Marc Jacobs joined the House of Louis Vuitton in 1997, and he was told one essential thing; he was not to touch the logo. Ironically, Jacobs did just that and more, and it was his urban aesthetic and graphic approach to design that completely changed Louis Vuitton and fashion as a whole.
His 16-year tenure helped to skyrocket handbag sales for the House, and Jacobs will forever be known for helping to pioneer the world of fashion/art collaborations as we know them today. Forever a rule-breaker and despite what he was told, Jacbos was able to take historical House codes and modernize them, completely transforming a House classic in a fresh way. It is undeniable that Marc Jacobs’ time had a tremendous impact on Louis Vuitton, which is why fashion continues to discuss the Marc Jacobs era.
Going Down in Fashion History
Just one of many collaborations that will go down in fashion history, the ubiquitous Murakami Multicolore Monogram hit the scene in 2003 as part of the Spring/Summer 2003 collection. That season, Murakami brought both graphic prints (Cherry Blossoms) and rainbow hues (Multicolore Monogram) to the House’s classic Monogram. Almost overnight, they became a pop culture phenomenon, largely helping to define the Y2K aesthetic. Fashion girls everywhere were clamoring to get their hands on a piece from the collection, including Paris Hilton, Jessica Simpson, and more.
The Multicolore Monogram featured a whopping 33 different colors on a white or black coated canvas background, completely redefining Louis Vuitton Monogram. The collaboration offered a youthful, whimsical spin on what was once considered strictly classic. While commercially, it was a massive success, the move was monumental in many ways, paving the way for the fashion collaborations of the modern day.
Multicolore Monogram was discontinued in 2015, making it the longest collaboration between Louis Vuitton and an artist in brand history. Still, to this day, it is one of Louis Vuitton’s most celebrated collections, remaining highly sought after on the resale market. Happy 20 years Multicolore Monogram!
all images via Vogue Runway
high school and i was lucky enough to have a very modern mom, i still have them all and by all i mean around 8 to 10 items form the original run. and i will for ever love them wear them celebrate them !!!!
Lucky you! I was in high school too. Been in love with the collection ever since but i just bought a preloved piece 5 yrs ago speedy multicolor that i got at a steal price in ebay since few people bid on it.
I think it is time for a reissue of the Murakami collection!
I couldn’t agree with you more Hanna!
I was in love with the Cherry Blossom Retro Bag as soon as it hit the covers of the magazines! I had to have one and it was the first of 3 of the Louis Vuitton Murakami Multicolor bags I own, still love and cherish. The next was the Eye Love You Bag in Black Multicolor with the famous Takashi Murakami Jelly Fish Eyes. The last was the White Muticolor Trouville and all of these bags are still in very good condition.I just wish that I could make them cross body bags but when I went to my LV store, they wouldn’t do any custom work to add leather rings to the sides of my bags because they said it would take away from the original design and they are collector’s bags so I couldn’t add straps to them.
Such a fun aesthetic! I loved it then and I love it now. I was too broke to get one then, but I know eventually I’m gonna cave and get something on the preloved market. Maybe an Alma. ☺️
I was in love with the cherry blossom bag, so much so that I let my friend talk me into going to Canal Street to look for a knock-off while she tried to find a knock-off multicolor. (I was very young, and I’ve since learned better). When I saw the yellow smiley faces at the center of each flower I thought they were tacky reproduction additions, and had to go back to my copy of Vogue to realize they had been faithfully copied from the original.Those bags really had too much going on – the smiley faces, the studs, the bows! I’ll forever associate the multicolor with Jessica Simpson taking hers when she went camping on an episode of her reality show Newlyweds. Ah, the aughts. Such a wild, tacky time. In retrospect I’m grateful I couldn’t afford most of the bags I wanted back then.
Oh my gosh … so excited I know they are a little tacky to some people’s taste but I absolutely love them I have four bags and two wallets and will always wear them … Whether they are in fashion or not… but very excited for 2025 to spot the new ones on the street and people dragging out their old lovelies LOL