Yayoi Kusama And Louis Vuitton
There’s always something new to see and do in New York - the latest is the collaboration between artist Yayoi Kusama and luxury brand Louis Vuitton.
Kusama, the 90-year old Japanese artist has collaborated for the second time with high-end luxury retailer Louis Vuitton and the results are fantastic, amazing and fun.
In addition to the large Louis Vuitton store located on 57th Street and 5th Avenue, there are also two smaller pop-ups - one at 122 Greene Street in SoHo and the other at 70-74 Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District. All opened to the public from January 6th until April. Photos below are from our visit to the 57th Street location and the Gansevoort Street pop-up. We did not visit the Greene Street location.
The Gansevoort store is all on one level, enter through the wide entrance door and you are immersed in Kusama’s world of dots and reflective orbs. Her signature dots adorn Louis Vuitton bags and fashion for both men and women.
The staff is super friendly and helpful, they are happy to answer questions about the merchandise or the installation.
Our next stop was the Louis Vuitton store at the corner of 57th Street and 5th Avenue - you can’t miss it. The much larger than life image of the artist Kusama adorns multiple stories of the building.
Before you enter the store be sure to check out the display window - there’s a animatronic version of the artist and she’s at working painting her signature dots - it’s amazing to see her paint, move and change facial expressions. She does attract quite a crowd of admirers.
Inside the store, like the location downtown, you are immersed in the artist’s work. The 57th Street location has a different color pallet and multiple levels to explore. There’s an elevator towards the back of the store so it’s very easy to go from one level to another.
Looking down from the second level to the main floor. Staff at this location are also very helpful. Hope that you have the time to visit one or more of the locations.
Gansevoort Location
Getting There - closest accessible station is the 14th Street Station with A, C and E trains. The station is located at 14th and 8th Ave and only a few blocks from the store.
Buses: the crosstown 14-A and 14-D have stops a few blocks away from the pop-up.
Nearby: Whitney Museum , 99 Gansevoort Street
Highline Accessible entrance to the Highline at Gansevoort Street, the elevator to the Highline is located to the left of the staircase. Restrooms located to the left when you exit the elevator on the Highline level. Elevators are also located at 14th Street and at 16th Street.
Chelsea Market , 9th Avenue between 15th and 16th Streets, an indoor market with various shops and food options. Restrooms located on the lower level, ask security for directions to the elevator
57th Street and 5th Avenue Location
Getting There: M57 and M31 Crosstown bus on 57th Street, M5 stops on 6th Ave going uptown and on 5th Avenue going downtown, M1, M2, M3, M4 and Q32 downtown stop on 5th Avenue and uptown stop on Madison Avenue.
Subway: D, B, F and M trains stop at 47-50 Sts - Rockefeller Center station
Nearby: Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick's Cathedral and the Museum Of Modern Art (MoMA)