My Journey with the LV Murakami Wallet
Alright, let’s talk about that LV Murakami wallet. Man, takes me back. This wasn’t some planned purchase, you know? It was more like stumbling into a piece of zeitgeist back in the day. Everyone was talking about the Takashi Murakami collaboration with Louis Vuitton. It was everywhere, those bright colors, the little characters. Totally different from the usual LV vibe.
I remember seeing the Multicolore print, specifically the white one, splashed across magazines and some early blogs. Felt like you had to have something from that collection to be ‘in’. I wasn’t really a big luxury guy back then, still kind of finding my footing. But that wallet… it just looked fun. Less serious than the traditional monogram.
Getting My Hands on It
So, I decided I wanted one. Wasn’t easy, mind you. These things were popular. I didn’t walk into a store and just pick it up. I actually ended up getting mine second-hand, barely used, from someone online. Seemed like a decent deal at the time, though still cost a pretty penny for a wallet, let me tell you. Checked all the details, the stitching, the heat stamp – looked legit. Felt a bit weird buying used luxury, but hey, it was the only way I could snag one without waiting forever or paying even more insane prices.
Using the Thing Day-to-Day
When I finally got it, I gotta admit, it felt cool. Pulling it out felt like a statement. The white canvas with all those colorful logos… it popped.
- The canvas itself felt sturdy, typical LV quality there.
- The gold-tone hardware was shiny initially.
- Inside, it had enough slots for my cards and cash back then. It wasn’t huge, but functional.
But here’s the thing about white canvas, especially coated canvas… it gets dirty. And that colorful print? Over time, especially on the edges and corners where it rubbed against my pocket, it started showing wear. The colors weren’t quite as vibrant after a year or so. The white background picked up smudges like crazy. I tried cleaning it gently, but you have to be super careful not to mess up the print.
The Long Haul and Reality Check
After a couple of years of pretty consistent use, the reality set in. It was a cool piece, for sure, a snapshot of a specific fashion moment. But practical? Not so much, at least not the white Multicolore. The corners definitely showed the most wear, a bit of the color rubbing off. The gold snap closure started getting a bit tarnished, losing its shine. It wasn’t falling apart or anything, LV stuff is generally built well, but it didn’t look pristine anymore. It looked… used. Which is fine, things are meant to be used, but that initial ‘wow’ factor faded when it started looking grubby.
I eventually switched it out for something darker, more low-key. Easier to maintain, less worry about every little mark. The Murakami wallet went into a dust bag, tucked away in a drawer.
So, What Now?
I still have it. Pulled it out the other day actually. It’s definitely a collector’s item now, I suppose. Represents that whole early 2000s fashion thing. Would I use it again regularly? Probably not. Too much hassle keeping it clean, and my style’s changed anyway. It was fun while it lasted, a cool experience owning a piece of that collaboration hype. But yeah, practical everyday carry? There are better options, unless you’re super careful or just love the look that much you don’t mind the upkeep. It was a learning experience, for sure. Taught me a bit about hype versus practicality when it comes to this stuff.
