New Year, New Hue

Sensational colors make these pieces pop

- STORY BY LAURIE BROOKINS

HERE IS PERHAPS the safest prediction for 2026: Bright colors will be everywhere. Across a vast array of consumer product categories, from fashion to home decor, vibrant hues have dominated the year's most recent debuts, and luggage is chief among that trend. And why not? From a practical standpoint, purchasing a bag in a bold color ensures it will stand out on the baggage carousel, a strategy that's infinitely better than tying a red ribbon onto the handle of your ubiquitous black suitcase. (By the way, you're not fooling anyone—we all do this, as you'll discover when you grab someone else's bag also accented with a red ribbon. The odds are against you.) But psychology also plays a role. Historically bright colors not only symbolize optimism and positive energy, but also instill a sense of enthusiasm in the consumer during the product’s lifespan. That process starts the moment a color catches your eye and inspires the purchase, but it's then repeated—activating your brain via the release of dopamine—every time that item is retrieved from your closet. Because travel comes with a plethora of challenges, why not add an element of joy to the process?

Murakami ranks high on the list of visual artists who have lent their talents to product collaborations.

In addition to relationships with Louis Vuitton and Dom Pérignon, the Tokyo-based artist also has aligned himself with Casetify, the Hong Kong-based lifestyle brand.