Louis Vuitton is hosting an immersive exhibition at the Osaka Nakanoshima Museum, where you can journey through time to revisit the brand’s creative heritage and witness its longstanding cultural exchange with Japan.
This exhibition coincides with the 2025 Kansai Osaka World Expo and marks the 170th anniversary of the brand. Curated by fashion historian Florence Müller, with dynamic scenes designed by architect Kengo Kuma of OMA, this showcase is bound to impress. The exhibit is divided into 12 thematic chapters, spanning from the brand’s origins to its latest creations, highlighting innovative technologies, exquisite craftsmanship, and a global exploration of over 1,000 artifacts, including more than 200 unique Japanese craft masterpieces.
As you step into the courtyard, you’re awed by the massive round columns wrapped in Monogram patterns and paper, glowing like lanterns and reaching up to the five-story ceiling. Passing through these luminous giants, you’re greeted by a hemisphere-shaped entrance made up of 138 suitcases, symbolizing the gateway to the creative world of Louis Vuitton.
First, the exhibition at Asnières will take you back to the creative origins of Louis Vuitton, revisiting each significant milestone of the brand from the perspectives of the Vuitton family and the workshop. A plethora of historical photos, cherished videos, and paintings by artists delicately document the legendary journey from its founding in 1854 to becoming a global fashion icon.
The Origins exhibition hall narrates the brand’s journey from its inception to the present through its treasured classic works. Meanwhile, the Expeditions exhibition hall invites visitors to step into the world of adventurers, showcasing how those galvanized trunks and folding desks have accompanied explorers and pioneers in conquering the globe. The exhibition features a rideable hot air balloon, further extending the themes of travel and exploration.
The exhibition hall highlights the brand’s deep-rooted connections with Japan, from early inspirations drawn from Japonism to creative collaborations with icons like Takashi Murakami, Yayoi Kusama, Rei Kawakubo, and NIGO®. Floating in mid-air, tatami display platforms showcase the brand’s distinctive designs alongside precious craft artifacts from internationally renowned museums, reflecting the essence of the traditional Japanese tea ceremony and a love for kawaii culture, cleverly echoed by the Japanese tatami lighting fixtures hanging from the ceiling.
MaterialsThe exhibition hall invites you to explore the four fundamental elements of LV suitcases through touch: wood, metal, leather, and canvas, revealing how these materials have become essential components in the designs of handbags, gaming collectibles, and accessories. Monogram canvasThe space is arranged like a giant celestial map, highlighting the Monogram canvas designed by Georges Vuitton in 1896, along with the original canvas produced in 1897, which has been publicly displayed for the first time after its rediscovery in the Paris City Archives.
The The workshop exhibition pays tribute to the craftsmen behind every meticulously crafted piece, highlighting standout items such as the specially made Toolbox luggage for Japanese star and brand ambassador Hirano Sho, and the Courrier suitcase customized for Osaka-born designer Verdy. Additionally, in the Testing and Atelier Rarex exhibition halls, guests can get an up-close experience of the brand’s craftsmanship.
The final exhibition Collaborations looks back at the creative collaborations that have shaped fashion history, from Stephen Sprouse’s graffiti series to the iconic collaboration between Supreme and Louis Vuitton, and the sensory designs by Yayoi Kusama and Takashi Murakami. Each collaborative series possesses its own unique charm.
It’s worth noting that the exhibition features two exclusive items, including a notebook and an exhibition catalog. The Louis Vuitton Japan co-published by Louis Vuitton and Rizzoli Editions will also be available for pre-sale in July at the Chūō Island Museum gift shop, Rizzoli, and Louis Vuitton boutiques. The immersive exhibition, Visionary Journeys, runs from now until September 17, so if you’re in Osaka during this time, make sure you don’t miss it!
