This season the world was allowed to step into the luminous universe of Louis Vuitton’s AW24 show, where fashion transcends time and space, and Nicolas Ghesquière reigns supreme in his tenth year at the helm. A decade of creative brilliance unfolded on March 5, 2024, as the iconic Louvre Cour Carrée served as the backdrop for a celebration that echoed Ghesquière's groundbreaking debut.
In an industry where creative directors often play musical chairs, Ghesquière remains an unwavering force in Louis Vuitton's realm of women's fashion. The creative director assembled a colossal futuristic greenhouse to set the stage this season, a nod to the essence of Louis Vuitton's wanderlust, bathed in the soft glow of 13 globe-shaped chandeliers, providing the eyes of the industry a fashion spectacle of unparalleled proportions.
Amidst this grandeur, Ghesquière penned a typewritten note, a love letter to the "immense joy" he experienced a decade ago. As 4,000 guests, including the extended Louis Vuitton family, immersed themselves in this spectacle, a wave of nostalgia swept through the air. Some lucky few adorned in archival pieces from Ghesquière's debut collection added an extra layer of magic to the front row.
Let's talk runway—no, not just a catwalk, but an immersive experience conceived by Philippe Parreno and orchestrated to the soul-stirring sounds of Nicolas Becker. AW24 was more than a fashion show; it was a magnum opus, an ode to the past, a celebration of the present, and a glimpse into the future.
For Ghesquière, this collection was a deep dive into self-belief and trust, navigating the course guided by his own North Star. The result? A fusion of intricacies, emotions, and reflections that materialised into a collection with a timeless allure. Ghesquière's designs don't adhere to trends; they create their own narrative, an ever-evolving map of prints, silhouettes, and avant-garde cuts that define the Louis Vuitton aesthetic.
The display included metallic-embroidered jackets with debonair frock coat cutaways paired with flat brogues, and collared biker jackets that effortlessly harmonised with bubble skirts—the collection was a symphony of unexpected pairings. Ghesquière didn't stop there; handbags resembling vintage trunks, scratched and dented, made a powerful statement. This wasn't just a fashion moment; it was a declaration that Ghesquière's influence reverberates through the annals of modern dress.
The collection, a fusion of introspection and imagination, showcased Ghesquière's stylistic North Star, a compass guiding the curious traveller through uncharted territories.
Louis Vuitton's savoir-faire further sparkled, from embroidered masterpieces to impeccable leather goods. Reflective materials and soft leathers adorned silhouettes with architectural shoulders, while masked eyes and gloved hands embraced the avant-garde.
In the grand tapestry of fashion, Ghesquière's Louis Vuitton isn't just a label; it's a symphony of transformation, sustainability, and an unyielding pursuit of radiant, reborn beauty. The universe showed that Louis Vuitton still reigns supreme, rewriting the rules of style with every stitch, every silhouette, and every unforgettable moment. Cheers to a decade of Ghesquière brilliance, and here's to the future of Louis Vuitton.
Words by Jheanelle Feanny
