Louis Vuitton's Yayoi Kusama transparent trench coat

Yayoi Kusama x Louis Vuitton

The Japanese artist's Louis Vuitton line hits the street, as her retrospective opens at the Whitney

The Yayoi Kusama x Louis Vuitton collection has been unveiled, timed to coincide with the arrival of Kusama's retropsecitve at the Whitney Museum of Art, which opens today. This fashion line, created in collaboration with the iconic Japanese artist, includes dotted plastic macs, a pumpkin minaudiere, and even an iPhone app. Kusama was an obvious choice for Lois Vuitton; in this video, VL's creative director, Marc Jacobs, speaks of his admiration for her energy, fastidious working techiques and all-encompassing vision.

LV's Marc Jacobs with Kusama and one of her pumpkin sculptures
LV's Marc Jacobs with Kusama and one of her pumpkin sculptures

LV are no strangers to fine-art collaboration; the label has buddied up with Richard Prince and Takashi Murakami in the past. Yet, as the artist admits in this great Womens Wear Daily interview, Kusama has also made clothes in the past; she sold a collection to Bloomingdales back in the eighties. Kusama says 'I was selling some fashion clothes at that time, but I have been making things since I was very little. Be it a sculpture or be it clothes, for me it is the same thing. It's my creation. I don't see any difference. It is part of my art.' And, if you've neither the figure nor the wallet for a VL spotty mac, take a look at our comprehensive overview of this visionary work by one of Japan's greatest artists.

Kusama in 2004
Kusama in 2004