Louis Vuitton’s Cruise 2025 collection is a testament to elevated artistic expression

Louis Vuitton’s Creative Director for women’s collection, Nicolas Ghesquière’s decade-long tenure at the luxury label has taken us to architectural wonders around the globe. And this year, he turns to Park Güell in Barcelona, a Unesco World Heritage site where whimsical architecture blooms like wildflowers, for his latest Cruise 2025 collection. This venue, a masterpiece by architect Antoni Gaudí, perfectly echoed the show’s blend of designs that celebrate the culture and architectural beauty of Spain.

Inspired by iconic Spanish artists like Velazquez, Goya, and Zurbarán, Ghesquière delivered a collection that clubbed the maison’s timeless codes with modern influences. The show opened with a parade of tailored, neutral ensembles adorned with straw hats and mirrored racing shades, abstracting a grounded, yet lavish spirit.

Ghesquière explored a more architectural self this time, playing daringly with LV’s signature silhouettes, adding more volume, and emphasising on black, white, and neutral hues. The opening look was a minidress, resembling natural fibres, with a crisp white lapel. The collection reflected a dynamic contrast of LV’s travelling spirit and Spain’s vibrant style. Flowing silk dresses mirrored Gaudí’s organic curves, shiny sequins reflected his signature mosaics, and sharply tailored jackets showcased the maison’s dedication to its own style and the artist’s distinct design vocabulary. Wire hooks added a sense of structure and texture, emphasising, as Ghesquière puts it, “it’s quite dressed up; there’s nothing casual about it.”   

If clothes define a collection, the ambience sets the right mood for the show. Now imagine a fashion show tailored to Park Güell’s undulating curves with Louis Vuitton’s A-listed audience like Jennifer Connelly, Regina King, and Sophie Turner. Set designer James Chinlund masterfully weaved the seating into organic forms, blurring the lines between nature and meticulously crafted luxury. The electronic pulse of Gary Numan’s Music for Chameleons intertwined with the operatic drama of Malcolm McLaren’s Madame Butterfly. It’s a perfect metaphor for the collection itself—a harmonious mix of the rigorous spirit of Louis Vuitton and the passionate heart of Spain.

This piece originally appeared in Harper's Bazaar India, June-July 2024 print edition.

Image credits: Louis Vuitton

Photo credit: Giovanni Giannoni 

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