Whether its due to good ol’ nostalgia or wanting to bring cosy familiarity to comfort us during the pandemic, luxury brands have turned to the familiar faces of famous classic cartoon characters to create many wonderful collaborations. From Disney’s Mickey Mouse, Doraemon and Hello Kitty, Luxury brands as big as Gucci and Balenciaga have made fans of these beloved characters wild with each collab. Therefore, it wasn’t too surprising that the well-known Spanish brand, Loewe, decided to create a fantasy capsule collection from one of the most loved movies made by Hayao Miyazaki: My Neighbor Totoro. Taking Loewe’s history as a brand, it seems like this was a match made in heaven. 

Founded in 1946 in Madrid by Spanish leather craftsmen, it owes its name to the incorporation of the German craftsman Enrique Loewe. As expected, this brand has excelled when it comes to the manipulation of leather and has had not only a passion for this old craft but also has strived to preserve its culture. Like most luxury brands nowadays, it has undergone a massive change. This happened thanks to their new Creative Director, Jonathan Anderson, who took over Loewe in 2013. He has shed new light on the brand, making it bolder and more playful, resulting in a huge appeal to younger generations without leaving aside Loewe’s heritage. 

Anderson is also the one to thank for the Loewe x Totoro Collaboration as he said to the press that we are all “longing for heartwarming feelings” and that “anyone who has seen Hayao Miyazaki’s 1988 masterpiece cannot possibly forget it”. Also, if you think about it, both Studio Ghibli and Loewe share this sense of nostalgia and love for artisanal techniques as well as an appreciation for nature, making it a strong contender to become the best collaborative effort for this year.

There is a lot that has yet to be shared yet about the upcoming pieces in this collection, but we have had some sneak peeks. The collab will feature the protagonists of the film such as the mischievous fuzzy dust sprites and Totoro himself on a range of clothing, various iconic leather bags from the brand such as the Hammock and the Puzzle, and many different accessories. This whimsical collection will show the beauty and inherently heart-warming characters in a youthful way (maintaining tradition on both sides, with a refreshing innovation) that will make fans of this 1988 classic melt. 

The Loewe X Totoro Collection drops on January 8^th; however, a lucky few will have an early 24-hour access to the full collection online. I don’t know about you, but I am excited beyond belief about this collection (being one of the few to experience the privilege of seeing this early is a definite bonus!) and I predict a 2021 full of collabs that will blow our minds away. 

Xoxo,