Louis Vuitton has revived its collaboration with the late artist Keith Haring, showcasing Nicolas Ghesquière's latest collection at the Frick Collection in New York. The show opened with a model carrying a 100-year-old Louis Vuitton suitcase doodled by Haring in 1984, featuring his signature stick figures. The collection includes the classic Speedy handbag reissued with Haring's motifs such as dancing babies and barking dogs.
The event, held in the marble galleries of the Frick Collection, was part of a three-year sponsorship deal. Louis Vuitton will fund exhibitions, public access, and a curatorial position at the museum. From next year, the museum's monthly free entry evenings will be rebranded as Louis Vuitton First Fridays.
Ghesquière, who has been at Louis Vuitton for 13 years, said he was inspired by Haring's values of unity and liberation. The collection played on the contrast between the Frick's Upper East Side elegance and Haring's downtown roots, with handbags shaped like takeaway boxes, records, and soft-drink cans. Jeans represented downtown style, while pleated silks and chokers evoked New York's elite.
Front-row guests included Zendaya, Emily Blunt, Anne Hathaway, Cate Blanchett, and Oprah Winfrey. Rose Coffey of Future Laboratory noted that New York's mix of street culture and luxury aligns with Louis Vuitton's brand, which appeals to both very important clients and younger consumers.
