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Louis Vuitton lovers that are looking for something outside classic monogram are in luck.
More than 100 unconventional handbags the French fashion house designed with leading artists will be auctioned off in an online Christie’s sale running from late November to early December. Scarcity & Infinity: an Important Collection comprises coveted double-signed pieces designed in partnership with creative powerhouses such as Takashi Murakami, Frank Gehry, and Yayoi Kusama, reflecting Louis Vuitton’s position as a leader in artistic collaborations.
Louis Vuitton creative cross-pollination began in 1996, when it invited avant-garde designers—including Manolo Blahnik, Helmut Lang, and Vivienne Westwood—to reimagine its iconic monogram canvas for its centenary. Collaborations of that magnitude were practically unheard of in luxury at that time.
A limited-edition Artycapucines Panda by Takashi Murakami.
Christie’s
Marc Jacobs, appointed Louis Vuitton creative director in 1997, continued on that trajectory, pioneering high-profile, culture-shifting collabs throughout his 16-year tenure. That started in 2001, when Jacobs enlisted iconic 1980s edgy New York artist and designer Stephen Sprouse to graffiti the sacred monogram canvas. It continues today through ongoing collaborations with artists such as Murakami.
The top lot of the 88 up for auction is a rare Artycapucines Crystal Panda clutch by Murakami (estimate: $20,000 to $30,000). The bag is one of only 130 made worldwide and is encrusted with over 6,000 hand-set Swarovski crystals. Other standouts from the Japanese artist include a white crocodile Cerises Mini Capucines with gold hardware and a cherry charm (estimate: $10,000 to $15,000) and a rare pink-and-white Artycapucines Mini Tentacles (estimate: $10,000 to $15,000). Also on offer are 10 pieces from Murakami’s recent Artycapucines VII collection, revealed at Art Basel Paris in 2025.
A metallic bear clutch by Frank Gehry.
Christie’s
There are, of course, a few pieces by late, great Canadian-American architect and designer Frank Gehry up for grabs, including a one-of-20 white crocodile Drawn Fish Mini Capucines (estimate: $10,000 to $15,000) and a metallic Bear with Us clutch inspired by his 2014 sculpture Bear With Us (estimate: $10,000 to $15,000). Late Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama is well represented, too, with one of her rare, limited-edition pumpkin bags (estimate: $8,000 to $10,000) among the highlights.
“Thoughtfully assembled by a passionate collector, this remarkable collection represents the most comprehensive offering of Louis Vuitton artist collaborations ever to come to auction,” Rachel Koffsky Parker, Christie’s international head of handbags and accessories, said in a statement. “Today, as the boundaries between creative disciplines become increasingly fluid, these handbags are celebrated as collectibles in their own right, objects that bring art into everyday life and serve as deeply personal expressions of taste and identity.”
A limited-edition Pumpkin Bag by Yayoi Kusama.
Highlights from the collection will be on view at Christie’s New York from November 7 to 17 and then from December 3 to 9. The Handbags & Fashion: The New York Edit sale will run from November 25 to December 10.
