When Louis Vuitton unveiled its Artycapucines VII collection with Takashi Murakami, the buzz was instant. Eleven handcrafted bags — with 3D-printed florals, sculptural motifs, and Murakami’s candy-coloured universe — transformed handbags into collectible art.
Within hours, collectors from Mumbai to Milan were on waiting lists, eager to own a piece that blurred the line between atelier and artwork. Luxury is no longer about owning a brand; it’s about curating a story.
From status to story
Once, a monogrammed logo was the language of success. Now, discernment has replaced display.
“Luxury has decisively moved from overt recognition to discreet discernment,” says Namrata Karad, founder of the label Ahikoza, whose handcrafted bag was spotted on Lauren Sánchez at her Venice wedding with Jeff Bezos. “While loud logos once displayed wealth to society, today’s luxury consumer seeks authenticity, exclusivity, and personal expression. True power lies in carrying something only a few can access,” says Namrata.
Namrata believes the “insider collectible” is the new pinnacle of status. “While luxury houses have aced craft and heritage, if it’s widely available, its exclusivity is questioned,” she adds. “Today’s Indian consumers are moving from showing brands to owning stories — from visibility to individuality.”
The craft–concept continuum
“With collaborations like Louis Vuitton x Takashi Murakami, the boundaries between craftsmanship and conceptual art dissolve entirely,” notes art & design collector, Shalini Passi.
“What begins in the atelier as precision ends as cultural commentary — a bag as sculptural as it is functional,” says Shalini.
For Passi, wearable art is where craftsmanship meets concept — “when fashion becomes collectible.”
“It’s no longer about logos; it’s about legacy,” she says. “The true collector now values authorship over ostentation, and rarity over recognisability. In India, luxury is evolving from aspirational to aesthetic,” adds Shalini.
The artist’s atelier meets the maison
For Kanika Ranka Adani, artist and founder of The Studio Project, wearable art is “the greatest moving canvas of storytelling.”
Her atelier transforms accessories into bespoke masterpieces for Virat Kohli, Nita Ambani, Sonam Kapoor, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, and Ayushmann Khurrana.
“Wearable art doesn’t only serve a functional purpose — it’s an act of self-expression for both artist and wearer,” says Kanika.
“In a world of mass-produced fast fashion,” she continues, “craftsmanship and conceptual art go hand in hand. Couture cannot exist without storytelling. Each stitch, colour, and texture represents imagination — that’s true luxury.”
