From Damien Hirst and Alexander McQueen’s historic union to the decade-defining Takashi Murakami and Louis Vuitton collection of the 2000s, artists have been contributing to the luxury fashion world for years. Just travel back a century to the 1930s when Italian fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli collaborated with Salvador Dalí on the notorious Lobster Dress.
Today, the influence of the art world runs deeper than visual reference. From limited-edition accessories and NFTs to immersive catwalk sets, the line between gallery and catwalk continues to blur.
In honour of this month's art fair celebrations, we take a look at how Bond Street’s prominent luxury fashion brands, past and present, have contributed to the ever-evolving art movement.
LOUIS VUITTON
A great place to start is with a brand whose portfolio of collaborations reads like a who’s who of the contemporary art world. Louis Vuitton boasts a history steeped in artistic legacy, a lasting result of the creative direction of Marc Jacobs. Richard Prince, Jeff Koons, Stephen Sprouse, Cindy Sherman and Scott Campbell are just a few of the artists who have brought their creative signatures to the house.
In 2023, Louis Vuitton stores across the globe were awash with colourful polka dots as Yayoi Kusama returned for her second collaboration with the maison. The “Princess of Polka Dots” lent her singular aesthetic to a collection spanning more than 450 pieces, from bags and perfumes to accessories and footwear.
And no discussion of fashion-art synergy would be complete without mentioning Louis Vuitton’s enduring partnership with Takashi Murakami. The collaboration began in 2003 with a collection that changed the course of fashion history, seen on the arms of the biggest It-girls from the 2000s, including Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan. Several hit collections followed: Cherry Blossom in late 2003, Panda in 2004, Cerises in 2005, MOCA in 2007, 2008’s Monogramouflage and Cosmic Blossom in 2010. This year, the partnership makes a welcome return, reimagining some of its most iconic motifs with renewed vibrancy and a playful, Y2K spirit.
DIOR
This year is shaping up to be one of creative reunions. In January, Dior reconnected with American artist and designer KAWS after six years. First enlisted by former creative director Kim Jones for his debut menswear collection in 2019, KAWS helped launch a new era of artist collaborations at Dior, paving the way for partnerships with the likes of American visual artist Daniel Arsham, Japanese illustrator Hajime Sorayama and fashion designer Shawn Stüssy.
Now KAWS is back bringing his signature Pop Art design style to the house with a new menswear range. The capsule collection subverts the house codes through a streetwear lens. Think varsity jackets with appliqué patches and wide-legged track pants with Dior oblique inserts down the sides. The range features a new reptilian take on the brand’s signature logo, a playful merging of the maison’s history with KAWS’ visual style.
Fans of the popular B33 trainers were also treated to new releases of the shoe in limited-edition colourways.
Dior has gained a reputation for working closely with artists, also running the annual Dior Lady Art Project. The initiative recruits artists from around the world to bring their own creative DNA to the iconic Lady Dior bag. For its most recent edition, 11 artists from around the world transformed the bag in a celebration of artisanal beauty.
LOEWE
Few designers have championed the intersection of art and fashion in recent years quite like Jonathan Anderson. He was Loewe’s creative director for more than a decade – stepping down in March this year to head to Dior. His tenure at Loewe was proof that not only did his fascination with art radically impact the house’s design philosophy, it also led to unique collaborations and specially curated sets and catwalk shows. It’s this special relationship that has helped propel the brand to one of contemporary fashion’s most influential players.
The autumn/winter 2025 collection presented during Paris Fashion Week took its inspiration from two of the Bauhaus movement’s biggest pioneers, Anni and Josef Albers. Anderson presented a series of garments and accessories using the same techniques, patterns and colour palettes in the duo's most iconic works.
The result was a display of meticulously detailed craftsmanship in the form of embossed leatherwork, loom-woven coats and smoothly pleated silk skirts. Two of the house's best-known products, the Puzzle bag and Flamenco clutch, also had a Bauhaus makeover, referencing Josef Albers’ “Homage to the Square” series. Plus, a brand new bag entered the scene, the Dotted basket, inspired by Albers’ Dotted tapestry.
HUBLOT
While luxury watchmakers have long aligned themselves with sport, it’s their collaborations with artists that spotlight the true creativity and craftsmanship behind horology.
In 2021, Hublot teamed up with Takashi Murakami to create the Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami All Black, followed by the Classic Fusion Sapphire Rainbow in 2022. Both timepieces feature Murakami’s iconic smiling flower motif.
The watch sector has also made exciting leaps into the world of digital art. In tandem with Murakami’s first two timepieces, Hublot released 324 NFTs. Then in February of 2023 the pair announced they would be releasing a further 13 watches accompanied by 13 NFTs to match. With digital art still comparatively fresh on the scene, the release is an exciting sign of what awaits in the future of luxury fashion and art.