Fashion house Louis Vuitton unveiled the second installment of its collaboration with artist Jeff Koons on Thursday.
The work showcases the latest collection of accessories emblazoned with the works of Masters such as Turner and Gauguin.
Go deeper with GlobalData
The original series launched in April and saw the works of Da Vinci, Van Gogh and Rubens, Titan and Fragonard printed on classic Vuitton bag silhouettes.
This second installment – which hastily follows the successful first collection – sees the works of Monet, Gauguin, Manet, Turner, Boucher and Poussin replacing the original five Masters. Several new handbag styles have also been added to the range, including the Montaigne, the Pochette and the Noé.
Since Louis Vuitton began in 1845, this is the first time the brand has ever allowed an artist to rework their famous monogram print. Koons, the world’s most expensive artist, seems a fitting choice of artist to be the first.
How well do you really know your competitors?
Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.
Thank you!
Your download email will arrive shortly
Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample
We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form
By GlobalData
In addition to the paintings themselves, and the reworked gold LV monogram print, Koons has also featured the names of the original artist and a leather rabbit. This is a nod to Koons’ iconic 1986 work Rabbit.
How much does the Louis Vuitton Masters collection cost?
The variety of bags offered in the collection range in price from $2,800 to $4,000. The paintings are also available on two styles of wallets, ($1,620 and $1,770), a silk square ($730), shawl ($1,460) and bag charm ($585) that takes the shape of Koons’ inflatable rabbit.
The Louis Vuitton Masters collection is based on Koons’ 2015 Gazing Ball series. The work saw Koons reproducing large-scale copies of famed paintings and placing a mirrored blue sphere in front of each. Viewers could then simultaneously see the masterpiece and their own reflections.
Known for his kitsch style, Koons features inflatable flowers, balloon animals and celebrities as motifs in his work. Though he often takes everyday items as his subject matter, the final works are some of the most expensive in the modern art world.
His Balloon Dog sold at auction for $58.4m – the highest amount ever paid for the work of a living artist.
The fusion of high and low art is present in the Masters collection – blurring the distinction between art and fashion. Consumers can buy their own versions of some of the art world’s best known works.
The full collection will be available from 27 October.
