The intersection of art and fashion has always been a fertile ground for creativity, where visionary minds come together to create something unique. This year, French luxury maison Louis Vuitton has again pushed the boundaries of this dynamic relationship by partnering with acclaimed Chinese artist Sun Yitian. Known for her dramatic photorealistic paintings that capture the charm and intricacies of toys and mass-produced objects in a fine art style, Sun has brought her unique, colourful perspective to the world of luxury.
The artist worked closely with Louis Vuitton’s Creative Director, Nicolas Ghesquière, in shaping the vibrant pre-fall 2024 collection, which spans an array of ready-to-wear pieces, leather goods, trunks, accessories, and fragrances.
In this exclusive interview with YourLuxury Africa, the artist takes us behind the scenes of this remarkable collaboration, sharing insights into her creative process and the inspiration behind her work. For Sun Yitian, this partnership has been more than just a foray into the world of fashion, it’s a celebration of art’s enduring influence on modern luxury.
WHAT WERE YOUR INITIAL IMPRESSIONS ON COLLABORATING WITH LOUIS VUITTON?
I was excited about this collab from the very beginning because it transforms artworks into products, which is not just a simple appropriation of images, but an extension of my work on a conceptual level. My creations start with so-called “Made in China” goods. These products are manufactured in factories and distributed worldwide at extremely low prices. As the main subjects on my canvas, these items, which may initially seem unremarkable or even cheap, then become expensive pieces of art. In East Asian thinking, there are no pre-deconstructive concepts such as originality, origin, or identity. On the contrary, it begins with deconstruction, creating within deconstruction, where creation itself is deconstruction. And thanks to the collaboration with Louis Vuitton, the images in my work are once again deconstructed. It transforms these humble items into genuine luxury goods.
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT YOUR ARTWORK BEING TRANSLATED INTO A WEARABLE PRODUCT?
The connection between paintings on a canvas and the viewer is somewhat static and silent, a form of observation with a certain distance. However, when my artworks are translated into clothing, bags or perfumes, they become much closer to people, and this interaction is lively and unpredictable. It creates an equal relationship of use.
HAVE YOU FOUND ANY SYNERGIES BETWEEN THE WORK OF LOUIS VUITTON AND YOUR OWN WORK?
During my last trip to Paris, when discussing design concepts with the Louis Vuitton women’s studio, I saw a series of fabrics that drew inspiration from the colours of my works. This allowed me to get close to so many intricate techniques. I was particularly impressed by Nicolas Ghesquière’s creativity. While he used my work as inspiration for this series of products, these products in turn gave me many wonderful ideas.
WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO EXPRESS THROUGH THIS PROJECT?
Back in the day, stuff used to outlive people. But nowadays, especially since the post-industrial era kicked in, things have just blown up and multiplied around us. Everything gets swapped out so fast, with goods having shorter and shorter lifespans. The manufacturers who produce these plastic toys probably never imagined that they would end up as designs on Louis Vuitton bags. I think that many things we buy are temporary, but what really matters is the world they create around us.
HOW DO YOU HOPE PEOPLE WILL FEEL WHEN THEY SEE THIS COLLABORATION AND WEAR THE PIECES?
I don’t want people to just see this as a collaborative bag or a limited-edition perfume with a rabbit or a duck on it. I want them to dig deeper and grasp the cultural significance and creative concepts woven into this product collaboration. And for those who own these items, I hope it’s more than just wearing a stylish piece of clothing.
