You’ve seen them on your feed. Maybe you spotted one tucked under the arm of a vintage-obsessed influencer in SoHo, or perhaps you're just wondering why a tiny, smiling fruit is suddenly commanding five figures on the secondary market. We’re talking about the louis vuitton murakami cherry collection—specifically the Cerises line that basically defined the mid-aughts.
Honestly, it’s wild to think it’s been over twenty years since Marc Jacobs and Takashi Murakami first decided to mess with the most sacred logo in fashion. Before 2003, you didn't touch the monogram. It was brown, it was serious, and it was "old money." Then Murakami walked in with his "Superflat" pop-art style, and suddenly, the LV canvas was covered in 33 different colors, pandas, and eventually, those iconic, slightly manic-looking cherries.
The 2025 Re-Edition Changed Everything
If you’re wondering why everyone is talking about this right now in 2026, it’s because of the massive 20th-anniversary revival that hit stores last year. Louis Vuitton didn't just bring back the hits; they expanded the universe. The original 2005 Cerises drop was legendary, but the 2025 re-edition—often called "Chapter Three" of the modern Murakami era—introduced over 70 pieces.
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We saw the return of the classic Monogram Cerises on the Speedy 25 and the Keepall 45, but with 2026 tech. The printing is crisper. The colors don't peel as easily as the vintage ones sometimes did. They even threw in things like a cherry-themed bicycle and a deck chair. It’s peak "luxury meets kitsch," and honestly, people are eating it up.
But here’s the thing: while the new stuff is shiny and features Zendaya in the ads, the "O.G." 2005 pieces are still the holy grail for collectors.
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Spotting the Real Deal: Louis Vuitton Murakami Cherry Nuance
Look, the market is flooded with fakes. Since this collection relies on a very specific screen-printing technique, it’s a lot easier for scammers to replicate than, say, a complicated leather weave. If you’re hunting for an original 2005 piece, you have to be obsessive about the details.
- The Faces: On a real louis vuitton murakami cherry bag, the cherries have distinct expressions. They aren't just red circles. They have little smiling faces with slanted eyes. If the expression looks "off" or the print is blurry, walk away.
- The Date Code: For a 2005 original, your date code should reflect that era. Typically, you're looking for two letters followed by four digits where the first and third digits represent the week (or month, depending on the exact year) and the second and fourth represent the year.
- The Vachetta: This is the untreated cowhide leather used for the handles and trim. On a vintage piece, it should have a honey-colored patina. If you find a "vintage" bag with bright, pale white handles that look brand new, it’s either been kept in a vacuum-sealed vault or it’s a total fugazi.
- The "O" Test: Check the interior heat stamp. In the word "Vuitton," the 'O' must be a perfect circle. Not an oval. If it looks like a zero, it’s fake.
Why This Collab Matters in 2026
Fashion moves in circles. Right now, the "Y2K" aesthetic has evolved into something deeper—a genuine appreciation for the era when luxury stopped taking itself so seriously. Marc Jacobs was a disruptor. By bringing in Murakami, he proved that a 150-year-old French house could play with Japanese subculture.
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The louis vuitton murakami cherry collection wasn't just a bag; it was a bridge between the gallery and the street. It’s why you see these pieces in the Brooklyn Museum and on the arm of someone at Coachella.
The Price Reality Check
Be prepared for sticker shock. A 2025 re-edition Speedy 20 might set you back around $2,250, but a pristine 2005 Speedy 25 can easily clear $3,500 on platforms like 1stDibs or Fashionphile. The "Sac Retro" with the little bow? Forget it. You’re looking at serious collector money for that one.
Practical Steps for Aspiring Collectors
If you’re serious about owning a piece of this history, don't just jump at the first listing you see on a resale app.
- Research the Specific Model: The Cerises (cherries on brown monogram) is different from the Cherry Blossom (smiling flowers on monogram with bows). Know which one you actually want.
- Request a Video: Pictures can hide "sticky" canvas or cracking in the cherry print. Ask the seller for a video in natural light.
- Third-Party Authentication: Use a service like Entrupy or Real Authentication. For a bag that costs as much as a used car, a $30 check is the best insurance you can buy.
- Check the "Tackiness": Vintage Murakami pieces can sometimes get a "sticky" feel if stored in humid environments. Always ask about the texture of the canvas.
Ownership of a louis vuitton murakami cherry piece is basically a membership into a very specific club of fashion nerds. It says you value the moment when high art and high fashion crashed into each other. Whether you go for the 2005 original or the 2025 revival, you're carrying a piece of the definitive collaboration of the 21st century.