Nicolas Ghesquière, Creative Director of Louis Vuitton Womenswear, is reimagining eighties kitsch with new forms and constructions, bringing lightness and fun with a rebellious edge.
In a flurry of rumours and speculation, Louis Vuitton has seized the spotlight with its recent acquisition of a massive building on the iconic Avenue des Champs-Élysées, a location initially designated for Dior’s new headquarters. The fashion world has been buzzing with questions about the grand plans for this Art Nouveau-style building, and Nicolas Ghesquière, Louis Vuitton’s creative director of womenswear, shed some light on the subject during his spring women’s fashion show.
Taking over the construction site for his show, Ghesquière unveiled the grand vision for this new Louis Vuitton space. It will be a hybrid concept encompassing a store, a cultural venue, and a hotel, designed by renowned architect Peter Marino. This multifaceted space aims to be a place that unites all aspects of the Louis Vuitton brand – cultural, artistic, commercial, and hospitality. Ghesquière expressed the importance of luxury brands in entertaining in every sense of the word, creating spaces that offer a holistic brand experience.
This mesmerising set design, bathed in the warm glow of summer light, allows guests to journey into the world of Louis Vuitton and indulge in the enchanting atmosphere. It was a night where fashion and fantasy melded seamlessly, leaving attendees in awe of Ghesquière’s grand vision and ability to transport them into a realm of timeless elegance.
“Vuitton is about function; it’s a luxury that aims to serve, to make travel an exhilarating experience,” Ghesquière shares, reflecting on the brand’s inherent romance with journeys. Louis Vuitton, after all, is a narrative not just of luxury but of explorative elegance, where the artistry of clothing merges with the practicality of travel.
Nicolas Ghesquière’s Spring/Summer 2024 collection for Louis Vuitton weaves a compelling narrative. Each ensemble graced the runway can be likened to a visual sonnet, enchanting onlookers with its delicate beauty.
Mousseline and charmeuse fabrics move with ethereal grace, while the combination of bomber jackets and silk blouses exudes a breezy elegance. These designs were adorned with leather belts positioned low on the hips and off-the-shoulder corset tops, epitomising a fearless pursuit of innovation.
Ghesquière reflects on the grandeur of the space, acknowledging its historical significance while embracing the excitement of the future. His visionary prowess as a fashion architect allows him to seamlessly incorporate the poetic essence of the Élysée Palace’s walls into every intricate stitch and fold of fabric.
The Parisian elegance of yesteryears, characterised by patrons with trolleys laden with Vuitton luggage, is not just a nostalgic memory but a profound inspiration. Ghesquière’s Spring/Summer 2024 line effortlessly merges luxurious ease with unstructured jackets and taffeta shirt dresses, embodying the essence of Louis Vuitton’s craftsmanship. Sumptuous, elegant, and effortless, each piece reflects the extraordinary journey that Louis Vuitton embarks upon with every creation.
VIP guests such as Zendaya and Regina King attended this extraordinary unveiling – a spectacle where fashion and history converge in perfect harmony. Nicolas Ghesquière’s creations, whether it is a fully beaded jumpsuit with slip-like ease or the impeccably laser-cut jackets, beautifully blend the legacy of Louis Vuitton with its unwavering focus on the future.
