FIRST LOOK: LOUIS VUITTON X YAYOI KUSAMA... THE DOTS ARE HERE

Posted by Bethan Holt, Fashion Junior at Large

It's here! We brought you news back in January that Louis Vuitton would be collaborating with Japan's greatest living artist and queen of polka dots, Yayoi Kusama. Now, we've seen Tate Modern's brilliant exhibition (which finished yesterday but is now going to New York) and we were getting tad impatient to see what Marc Jacobs and Kusama had come up with for the collection which is a continuation of Vuitton's work with artists, we all remember Murakami and Sprouse, right?

Well, I was poking about online earlier and came across these images on Trendland which finally show us what the Infinitely Dots collection is going to look like. Dots are what we expected and dots are what we get, whether they're in muted colours on a structured tee or bold, bright and classically Kusama on bow ballet pumps and perspex bangles.

I love that there is a dot interpretation for every taste- there's in-your-face pieces which play to Kusama's almost childlike obsession with the bright colours and bold graphics of the spot. But then there are more pared back, luxe interpretations like the monochrome sunglasses (in the top picture) with their round, sixties shape and gold detailing. Whatever guise they come in, if you know Kusama's work then you'll recognise her input in each piece.

It's a bit puzzling that the collection's official website doesn't show the product yet, despite the fact that it's on a couple of websites. Nevertheless, the site does give those new to Kusama an insight into her life and there's also an interview with Vuitton main man Marc Jacobs whose idea it was for the label to collaborate with artists. He says '"It continues something I began when I came here which is the idea of art and collaboration, or collaboration with artists. For many people who don't look at art or go to galleries, or maybe they're not aware of Kusama's work, there will be a new venue, a new place to see this work and to come to appreciate it through the eyes of Louis Vuitton."

If you remember the previous collaborations, then you'll know that part of the deal is that the distinct LV monogram gets a makeover from the artist- in these images we can see that Vuitton's luggage bag styles have been covered in dots and made in shiny, tactile fabrics.

Self Obliteration (1967) by Yayoi Kusama (image from www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-modern)

Also, is it weird or fabulous that the images feature a model who looks like a younger version of Yayoi? She has frequently used herself in her work and that fringe is pretty iconic- I think the photos are really fun but it also feels a bit like they're trying to recreate a Yayoi original.

The first drop from the Infinitely Dots collaboration is out on July 11th- it'll be mostly pyjamas, trench coats and jewellery with the second drop in October. Prepare for dot mania!

All images from www.trendland.com