Louis Vuitton Spring Summer 2024 Fashion Show

In a flurry of rumors 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 today in entertaining in every sense of the word, creating spaces that offer a holistic brand experience.

Ghesquière is known for his penchant for the raw beauty of buildings under renovation, having previously staged Vuitton shows at venues like the Samaritaine Paris department store and Vuitton's Place Vendôme flagship store while they were still construction sites.

The Champs-Élysées building itself has a fascinating history as it was originally the Élysée Palace Hotel, constructed for the 1900 Paris Exposition. Notably, it was the place where Mata Hari was arrested in 1917 on espionage charges. Although its history was brief, one could easily imagine patrons arriving with Louis Vuitton luggage in hand, conjuring a sense of bygone elegance. Ghesquière opened the show with full-skirted dresses in contrasting stripes and checks, evoking a Victorian flair with a modern twist.

Ghesquière believes in the poetic nature of hotels and the secrets they hold, and he envisions the Champs-Élysées location as a cultural and social hub, thanks to Louis Vuitton's transformative project.

To maintain an element of surprise, the show space was enveloped in an orange tarpaulin typically used for hot air balloons, symbolizing an extraordinary journey.

Aware of the challenges of modern travel and global warming, Ghesquière designed his spring collection to be easily packable. Gone were oversized zips and buckles, replaced with lightweight materials like fine cashmere and inflated blouses. Unstructured jackets that could be tucked in at the waist, taffeta shirtdresses in bedding stripes, and cocktail jumpsuits with gathered necklines were some of the smart solutions he presented.

As guests exited the show, they were met with a compact crowd eager to catch a glimpse of celebrities like Zendaya, Regina King, and K-pop stars Felix from Stray Kids and Hyein from NewJeans. Nearby, climate activists protested against LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton's activities, adding a touch of modern activism to the grandeur of the Champs-Élysées. Once again, it's a place where everything is happening, and Louis Vuitton's future on this iconic avenue promises to be nothing short of spectacular.