One year following its "My Neighbor Totoro"-themed line and significant support for the Ghibli Museum, Spanish luxury brand Loewe maintains its magical association with Studio Ghibli with a collection based on its legendary classic animation "Spirited Away".

Studio Ghibli and director Hayao Miyazaki like to host displays and cultural events that encourage creativity. That is why this collaboration is a perfect match for both parties since Loewe's brand ethic revolves around the enjoyment of art in all of its manifestations.

What is Spirited Away?

Spirited Away is a story of Chihiro, a 10-year-old girl, who follows her parents on a family trip through the countryside when they come to discover an amusement park that appears to have been abandoned for years. Even though Chihiro is bothered by the creepy setting, her parents explore the area and later discover and enjoy an empty eatery filled with fresh food.

Chihiro's parents then magically transformed into pigs as a result of their actions. The scared Chihiro then met a mysterious Haku, who explained that the theme park is part of a town infested with monsters, spirits, and evil gods. The creatures would often go to a bathhouse in the town's center to unwind and seek comfort away from the earthly realm.

In order to free herself and her parents from the mystical land, Haku told Chihiro to work for the evil witch Yubaba, owner of the bathhouse, as idleness is not permitted in this realm.

In 2003, the film became the first and only non-English language animated film to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. Furthermore, The New York Times named it the second-best film of the twenty-first century thus far.

The Spirited Away collection

Close-ups of several leather products imprinted with the visages of Chihiro, No-Face, Chihiro's ghostly companion, and Yubaba are shown in the teaser picture for LOEWE's Spirited Away collection.

Baby Boh, Yubaba's enormous baby who transforms into a rat, also makes an appearance and even inspires some of the teaser artwork that LOEWE initially gave before presenting official pictures of the collection in early January.

Like the Totoro collaboration, LOEWE's Spirited Away concept involves clothing like graphic tees and hoodies, but the accessories are where the collection really excels.

There are many luxurious leather bags adorned with images of the many characters and creatures who fill the movie's universe, including soot sprites and Chihiro's love interest.

 

 

 

 

 

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In an interview with Daze, Loewe creative director Jonathan Anderson said the My Neighbor Totoro-themed collection was motivated by people's need for "heartwarming feelings" from their childhood. In the same manner, the new collection will surely bring back fond childhood memories for Spirited Away fans as well as much-needed retail therapy amid the ongoing pandemic.

If you are looking forward to seeing the collab between Loewe and Spirited Away, you don't have to wait anymore since they are launched on January 7, 2022.

LOEWE's other contribution to Miyazaki's house

Beyond the collaboration project, LOEWE strengthened its ties with Miyazaki's house in 2021 by donating to the Ghibli Museum. The museum, which opened in 2001, welcomes visitors inside the world of Studio Ghibli.

Hayao Miyazaki designed the museum himself, using storyboards similar to those in his films. Calcata in Italy was one example of European architecture that influenced the design. Among the museum's features are interior bridges, iron spiral staircases built inside and out, and balconies that stretch throughout its height. As you climb these stairs, you will reach exhibits, dead ends, and cross over bridges. The characteristics are supposed to represent Miyazaki's film works, which depict his architectural designs.

 

 

 

 

 

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In addition to being dedicated to the art and technique of animation, this museum combines the features of a children's museum, a technology museum, and a fine arts museum. A replica of the Catbus from My Neighbor Totoro, rooftop garden, bookstore, a café, and a theater for short films by Studio Ghibli are all part of the attraction.

As part of Miyazaki's vision, the museum was designed to be an uplifting and relaxing experience that leaves visitors feeling more enriched than when they first entered.