Louis Vuitton Visionary JourneysNakanoshima Museum of Art, Osaka 10:00
Adults ¥2,000, students ¥1,500, free for high school children and younger
World-renowned luxury fashion house Louis Vuitton is charting its rich history and unveiling its storied archives in a milestone exhibition that coincides with the ongoing Osaka Expo and commemorates the maison’s 170th anniversary. Held at the Nakanoshima Museum of Art through September 17, this immersive showcase also explores the brand’s long-standing cultural dialogue with Japan.
Curated by renowned fashion historian Florence Muller and designed by Shohei Shigematsu OMA, Visionary Journeys weaves an engaging narrative using more than 1,000 items – including archival pieces, sketches, artworks, trunks, bags and multimedia installations – alongside 200-plus traditional Japanese crafts.
As you enter the exhibition, you are greeted by the breathtaking Trunk Hemisphere, an impressive installation constructed from 138 of Louis Vuitton’s iconic trunks. From there, the journey unfolds across 12 thematic sections, beginning with 'Asnières', which traces the brand’s origins and key milestones since its founding in 1854, followed by 'Origins', where you’ll see cornerstone designs like the flat-topped trunks and the classic Steamer Bag.
Louis Vuitton’s travel heritage is evident throughout, particularly in the 'Expeditions' section, which features the brand’s then-innovative travel gear, including zinc-lined trunks and foldable desks.
One of the exhibition’s standout sections is 'Louis Vuitton and Japan', as it delves into the country's influence on the maison's designs. Here, the label’s early pieces inspired by Japan are displayed alongside contemporary collaborations with artists like Yayoi Kusama, Takashi Murakami, Rei Kawakubo and Nigo. Rare pieces such as trunks crafted for traditional tea ceremonies are also on view.
Another major highlight is the first-ever public showing of the original Monogram canvas, designed by Georges Vuitton in 1896 and recently discovered in the Paris City Archives. Finally, the exhibition-exclusive gift shop offers two limited-edition items – the Visionary Journeys exhibition catalogue and a notebook – alongside a selection of Louis Vuitton goods.
