Louis Vuitton revives the Renaissance with peplums and capes at Paris Fashion Week

Oct 2, 2024 at 8:03 AM

Vuitton's Visionary Voyage: Ghesquière's Decade of Daring Design

Louis Vuitton's spring/summer 2025 collection marked a triumphant milestone for creative director Nicolas Ghesquière, celebrating his 10th anniversary with the iconic French fashion house. The show was a spectacular fusion of past and present, transporting the audience to an era rich with historical references while effortlessly grounding the designs in the modern world.

Redefining Luxury for a New Generation

Blending Renaissance and Modernity

Ghesquière's collection drew inspiration from the Renaissance, infusing the designs with a sense of historical grandeur. Puffed sleeves, peplum hems, and ruffle trims paid homage to the era, while the pairing of these elements with biker shorts and chunky leather sandals captured the designer's signature blend of architectural precision and contemporary edge. The creative director's aim was to "break boundaries" and challenge traditional silhouettes, working with the atelier to achieve a sense of lightness and fluidity in what would typically be heavier garments.

Reimagining Historical Forms

Ghesquière's innovation was evident in the collection's drop-waist ribbed knit dresses, breeches, and blouson shirts, which reimagined historical forms with modern materials and avant-garde shapes. The designer's approach to crafting coats that felt more like blouses emphasized a sense of fluidity and weightlessness, blurring the lines between day and evening wear. Embellishments, such as polished gemstones dangling on loose-fitting tops, further contributed to this effortless elegance.

Artistic Collaboration and Timeless Luxury

The collection reached its climax with unstructured jackets adorned with paintings by French artist Laurent Grasso, whose Studies Into The Past series blends celestial phenomena with Renaissance art. This artistic collaboration perfectly encapsulated Ghesquière's vision, creating a seamless display of timeless luxury. The ethereal jackets felt both contemporary and timeless, bridging the worlds of art and fashion.

Debuting the Next "It" Bag

Ghesquière also introduced a new "generational" bag, which the designer aims to become the next casual, everyday 'it' bag. The bag's pairing with the ornate ensembles emphasized its versatility and potential to become a staple in the modern wardrobe.

Celebrating a Decade of Visionary Design

The spring/summer 2025 collection was a fitting celebration of Ghesquière's decade at Louis Vuitton, showcasing his ability to pull from history while pushing fashion forward. With each season, the French designer continues to challenge conventions, redefining luxury for a new generation. The show's front-row presence of actors Zendaya, Cate Blanchett, and Jennifer Connelly, all sporting contemporary yet classic looks, further underscored the collection's timeless appeal and Ghesquière's enduring influence on the fashion landscape.