Louis Vuitton is always one of the cornerstones of Paris fashion week, and this season the show is sure to top many “best shows of the week” lists. From the location and guests of note to the talking points of the collection, read on for your download on everything Louis Vuitton S/S ‘24.
Louis Vuitton swapped their usual location at the Louvre for their under-construction space on Champs-Élysées that will be a hybrid space including a store, cultural venue, and hotel. To keep some mystery around the launch, the interior was wrapped in orange plastic by production designer James Chinlund to resemble the inside of a hot air balloon. Indeed, travel was a theme of the show. The venue was tighter than usual, one guest said she heard it was 200 seats smaller than their typical runway shows, and a sizable proportion of that guest list was dedicated to a plethora of celebrities.
Speaking of the notable attendees, the brand’s global ambassador Zendaya drew the most attention in a white dress worthy of the red carpet. Other celebrity guests spanned every category of influence from actresses like Cate Blanchett and Regina King to athletes like Venus Williams and musicians like Pharrell and Robyn.
Ghesquière called his S/S ‘24 collection, “a deep dive into the idea of an extraordinary journey.” The clothing was purposely packable, a change from last season’s less practical supersize hardware. The weight of the pieces was considered as well as items that can survive the inevitable suitcase wrinkling. Items that checked these boxes include taffeta shirtdresses, lightweight suiting, and layerable jackets. The result was a collection that felt a bit more wearable, but without compromising Ghesquière’s directional, visionary taste that has made him one of fashion’s most exceptional creatives.
Low-slung, chunky, criss-cross belts appeared on many of the 46 looks. The accessory has an ‘80s sensibility that feels like territory ripe for a revisit, and it wouldn’t be surprising if this is the show that ushers in a new era for the statement belt.
While there was no shortage of special pieces that came down the runway (notably, a fluid, sequin jumper that made everyone draw out their camera), it was the jackets that stole the show. A trio of double-breasted bombers in satin and leather stood out, and a series of blazers with split hems closed the show to great effect. Though the jackets appeared to be a bouclé-like fabric, it was revealed at the re-see that it was actually a material that was laser-cut to give it the textured appearance.
