Louis Vuitton Launches Keith Haring Artycapucines Handbags
Louis Vuitton unveils 13 limited-edition Artycapucines handbags featuring Keith Haring's iconic artwork, debuting at Art Basel Paris before a global
Louis Vuitton has unveiled a capsule collection of 13 limited-edition handbags adorned with Keith Haring’s iconic graphics. Created in collaboration with the Keith Haring Foundation, the designs will debut at the Louis Vuitton booth at Art Basel Paris. The collection is the eighth iteration of the brand’s annual Artycapucines line, where acclaimed artists customize the Capucines bag.
One highlight is the Capucines Nano Running Heart evening clutch. It is derived from Haring’s 1984 artwork and covered in more than 12,000 crystals. Another is a minaudière shaped like a takeout container, featuring Haring’s Statue of Liberty and Big Apple motifs. The vibrant capsule translates Haring’s graffiti energy into the world of fine leather goods.
From Vintage Trunk to Modern Handbag
The story of this collaboration dates to the 1980s, when Keith Haring painted his famous Radiant Baby on a vintage Louis Vuitton trunk. Decades later, this artifact became the starting point for the brand’s official partnership with the artist’s foundation. Louis Vuitton stated that the motif elevated an already exceptional object into a singular work of art and a rare artifact of the 1980s New York cultural zeitgeist.
That original trunk inspired the Capucines MM Genesis handbag. Its image has been digitally printed onto the leather, preserving the distinctive patina of Haring’s original work. In May 2026, Nicolas Ghesquière, Louis Vuitton’s artistic director of women’s collections, opened the brand’s Cruise 2027 show in New York with a model carrying that same priceless trunk.
A Gallery of Playful Designs
The 13 designs feature a range of Haring’s bold graphic imagery. Alongside the Running Heart and Radiant Baby, a quirky tableau of dolphins swimming with humans in hot pink and ocean blue appears on the Capucines BB Holiday bag. The collection turns the accessories into collectible works of art, combining instantly recognizable graphics with traditional craftsmanship.
| Bag Model | Key Haring Motif | Notable Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Capucines Nano Running Heart | Running Heart (1984) | Over 12,000 crystals |
| Minaudière | Statue of Liberty, Big Apple | Takeout container shape |
| Capucines MM Genesis | Radiant Baby on vintage trunk | Digital print preserving original patina |
| Capucines BB Holiday | Dolphins with human figures | Calfskin with ostrich leather and karung inlays; 10.6 inches |
| Valisette Genesis | Radiant Baby on vintage trunk | Mini case version |
Craftsmanship and Cultural Continuity
To create the Artycapucines pieces, Louis Vuitton’s artisans employed specialized techniques. These include leather marquetry, laser printing, embroidery, embossing, and enamel detailing. The Capucines BB Holiday bag, for instance, is crafted on calfskin and embellished with ostrich leather and karung inlays.
This limited handbag series forms the most exclusive part of a broader Louis Vuitton collection dedicated to Keith Haring. A larger Haring-inspired collection spanning ready-to-wear, leather goods, and accessories is expected to be unveiled later this year. The Artycapucines pieces will be displayed at Art Basel Paris alongside handbags from previous editions in the line, which has featured artists like Takashi Murakami. The space at Art Basel Paris will open to the public on October 23.
Worldwide sales of the new Artycapucines collection will begin on January 1, 2027. The high-end bags will be available in selected Louis Vuitton stores.
